Mavis Camera gives you several ways to control zoom. Understanding the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom is the first step to mastering the app’s zoom features.
Optical vs. Digital Zoom
Optical zoom on iPhone is achieved by switching between the device’s built-in lenses, such as the ultra-wide, wide, or telephoto. Because it uses the hardware, there is no loss in image quality - the detail captured is exactly what the sensor sees.
Digital zoom is different. Instead of changing lenses, Mavis Camera crops and enlarges the image from whichever lens you’ve selected. This makes it possible to push closer to your subject, but because it relies on scaling, fine details may not be as sharp as with optical zoom.
Unlike the built-in iOS camera app, Mavis Camera doesn’t automatically blend optical and digital zoom together. You first choose which optical lens you want to use, and from there you can zoom digitally within that lens. This provides certainty regarding quality and control.
Mavis Camera provides two main methods to zoom digitally:
- The zoom slider - this is designed to behave like a servo zoom on a professional camcorder. It allows for smooth, consistent zoom movements that look cinematic. Move the slider toward 'T' (Telephoto) to zoom in and 'W' (Wide) to zoom out.
- Pinch to zoom, which by default works as a manual zoom - the wider you pinch, the closer the zoom. If you prefer, you can change this so pinch behaves like a servo zoom instead, producing smooth, predictable zooms. This can be accessed from the Camera Control Wheel >> Tools >> Zoom. You can also change the servo speed between Slow, Medium and Fast.
For more information on the Camera Control Wheel, checkout this support article: Camera Control Wheel