When to use them for better smartphone photos

Smartphone photography has become a powerful tool for capturing the small details of life. But when creating the perfect shot, should you zoom in or simply zoom in on the subject? Here’s how to find out…

When zooming makes sense

Zooming on a smartphone can be incredibly convenient, especially when you can’t physically get close to the subject. Think of those times when you’re at a concert, trying to get a photo of the stage, or when you’re capturing wildlife without disturbing it. In these cases, zooming in allows you to get a closer view without changing your location.

There are also times when zooming in can help you maintain composition or frame the shot. Maybe you’re trying to photograph a large building or a landscape, but you only want to focus on a specific part of it. Zooming in allows you to hone in on details while keeping the larger scene intact. Be careful though – depending on your phone’s camera, zooming in may reduce image quality, resulting in pixelation or blur.

Here are a few key scenarios where zoom works well:

• Distant objects: If your subject is far away and zooming in is not possible, zooming in can help capture the moment. This is especially useful in situations such as sporting events or wildlife photography.
• Maintenance of composition: When you’ve already framed your shot perfectly and zooming in would throw off the balance, zooming in can help keep the scene the way you envisioned it.
• Limited access: There are times when physical obstacles prevent you from getting close to your subject – for example, shooting across a river or from a balcony. Zooming in allows you to overcome these obstacles.

Why moving closer often brings better results

While zooming in can be helpful, getting physically closer to your subject usually produces sharper, more detailed photos. When you get closer, your smartphone camera can capture more data about the scene. This will help you avoid grainy smartphone photos.

Zoom also gives you more creative control over your shot. It allows you to play with angles, experiment with depth of field, and create a stronger connection between subject and viewer. Whether it’s a portrait, a close-up of a flower, or an object with interesting textures, getting physically close to the subject often results in more vivid and detailed photos.

Here are a few reasons why zooming in often works better than zooming in:

• Sharper details: The closer you are, the more detail your camera can capture, resulting in clearer images with fewer pixels.
• Better depth of field: When you’re closer to your subject, your smartphone camera can create a more pronounced depth of field, blurring the background and making the subject stand out. This effect is especially useful for portraits.
• Avoiding problems with digital zoom: Digital zoom can reduce image quality, but zooming in will preserve the full resolution of your photo and ensure it looks great even when you enlarge or print it.

How to choose between zoom in and zoom out

Deciding whether to zoom in or zoom out depends on key factors, including the subject, the environment, and the shot you’re aiming for. Each approach offers unique advantages, but knowing when to use them can greatly improve your smartphone photography.

Here are some tips to help you choose:

1. Consider the subject

If you’re photographing a distant subject that you can’t physically get close to—such as wildlife or a performance—zooming in may be your only option. However, if your subject is within reach, zooming in will give you a sharper and clearer image.

2. Think about the composition of the scene

If you’re happy with the overall framing of the shot but want to highlight just a small detail, you can zoom in to preserve the composition without having to move. On the other hand, if the scene is cluttered, zooming in can help you isolate the subject and eliminate distractions.

3. Lighting conditions

In low-light situations, zooming can be tricky, as any slight movement can cause blur. In these cases, zooming in can help you take advantage of the available light and create a sharper photo.

4. Check the zoom type

Not all smartphones handle zoom in the same way, so it’s important to know whether your phone uses optical or digital zoom. Optical zoom preserves image quality by physically adjusting the lens, while digital zoom can degrade a photo by cropping and enlarging pixels.

Starting with the 7 Plus, many iPhone models (especially the “Pro” version) have optical zoom, usually referred to as 2x or 3x zoom. High-end Samsung Galaxy models such as the S21, S22 and newer versions offer optical zoom, often up to 10x (see: how to enable 2x sensor zoom in Samsung Galaxy).

Cheaper models may only offer digital zoom. While Pixel phones mostly rely on digital zoom, they use software tricks (like “Super Res Zoom”) to improve quality.

If image quality and clarity are your main priority, it’s safer to zoom in. But in scenarios where zooming in is not possible, zooming in – especially if you have optical zoom – can still get you a great shot.

Both zoom and zoom are valuable techniques in smartphone photography, but knowing when to use them can make all the difference. Zooming is great when you can’t get physically close or want to preserve framing, but it often comes at the expense of image quality, especially with digital zoom. On the other hand, zooming in generally provides sharper, more detailed photos and allows for more creative control over your shot.

The next time you’re faced with a choice between zooming in or zooming out, think about your subject, the scene, and the technical limitations of your smartphone. Understanding these factors will help you make the best decision for each shot.