zoom lens

American  

noun

1. (in a camera or motion-picture projector) a lens assembly whose focal length can be continuously adjusted to provide various degrees of magnification without any loss of focus, thus combining the features of wide-angle, normal, and telephoto lenses.

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zoom lens British  

noun

1. a lens system that allows the focal length of a camera lens to be varied continuously without altering the sharpness of the image See also telephoto lens

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Etymology

Origin of zoom lens

First recorded in 1935–40

Compare meaning

How does zoom-lens compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• telephoto lens vs. zoom lens

Example Sentences

Conventional cameras that use a zoom lens to magnify objects have the disadvantage of focusing only on the target object and not its surroundings.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2024

I then noticed some of his team-mates approaching him to celebrate the goal, so I switched back to a shorter zoom lens to make sure I captured all four players dancing.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2022

I was the one who suggested the Alhambra, so it comes down to whether we want a zoom lens or a wide angle.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2022

First, the good: there is that real zoom lens on this phone, and it works fairly well.

From The Verge • May 11, 2022

Your camera’s zoom lens has an adjustable focal length ranging from 80.0 to 200 mm.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015