What is a Power Zoom Lens? (2023 Updated)

what is a power zoom lens

Hey, this is again Mehmood Shah from Camlense and here we will talk about power zoom lenses. You must have heard the power zoom lenses if you are in the field of photography. Everyone knows about zoom but what is a power zoom lens? So, let’s dive into it.

What is a Power Zoom Lens?

A power zoom lens is a new type of lens that uses battery power to zoom in out zoom out, which means that you can change the focal length with just a click of a button instead of manually doing it.

Zooming With a Power Zoom Lens

If you are having a power zoom lens, you don’t need to manually change the focal length to zoom in and out. You can just use the zoom button and the motor will do that for you. These lenses are designed for professional filmmakers and provide a smooth battery-powered zooming function.

A Power zoom lens combines the optical quality of a telephoto lens with the convenience of power zooming. These power zoom lenses are available for both SLR cameras and compact digital cameras but are suitable mostly for compact cameras.
More Info 

Can I Change Zoom Manually with a Power Zoom Lens?

Yes, if you want to manually operate the zoom, you have the choice. You can zoom out or in by pressing the zoom button but if you are working in a complicated situation where you need to zoom manually, you can do that.

But, if want to make it look cool, you can change the zoom or simply speaking focal length by pressing a zoom button and it will happen by the small motors operated by the battery.

Also Visit: Why are Cinema Cameras So Expensive

Best Power Zoom Lenses to Buy in 2022

Sony – 18-200mm F/3.5 – 6.3 | Best Overall

Obviously the first on our list is going to be the Sony 18-200mm f/3.5 – 6.3. There are multiple reasons why we listed this list at the top. First, the name Sony is enough for its ranking but other than that the quality this lens provides is amazing.

This lens comes with built-in image stabilization, powerful zoom, 18mm Wide-angle capability of 200mm telephoto zoom capability, and much more.

Specs

  • Powerful Zoom
  • Focal Length: 18-200 mm
  • Wide-angle at 18mm and Telephoto at 200mm
  • Maximum 0.35x

Optical Image Stabilization

Panasonic – Lumix G VARIO | Best & Affordable

The second lens on our list is the Panasonic Lumix GV VARIO 100-300mm f/4-5.6. The reason for including the lens in our list is its 7 diaphragm blades, amazing optical performance due to suppressing chromatic aberration throughout the maximum zooming range, etc.

The Lumix G VARIO is a powerful telephoto lens producing pretty sharp images even on high zoom. There is no doubt that this is the best lens for m4/3 users but the main reason for adding this lens is its affordability. This lens is available for only $490.

Specs

  • Telephoto Powerful Zoom
  • Super Telephoto zoom lens of 600mm
  • 7 diaphragm blades
  • G VARIO is an Extra-Low dispersion lens (ED lens) for excellent optical performance.
  • Suppressing chromatic aberration throughout the powerful zoom range
  • 67mm filter size
  • Multi-coated lens elements minimize flare and flare.
  • autofocus

RF 100-400mm f/5.6-I IS

Overview

The RF 100-400mm f/5.6-I IS is a small, light, and versatile telephoto zoom lens that produces stunning images over its entire 100-400mm zoom range. It ensures steady and clear images by correcting shakes up to 5.5 stops with its integrated optical image stabilizer (OIS).

When paired with EOS R Series cameras equipped with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), the lens achieves up to 6 stops of shake correction**. It boasts a minimum focus distance of 2.89ft at 200mm and a maximum magnification of 0.41x at 400mm, allowing for close-up shots with impressive detail. The lens features Canon Nano USM technology, enabling smooth, quiet, and high-speed autofocus performance.

Specs

  • Zoom Range: 100-400mm
  • Maximum Aperture: f/5.6
  • Image Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) with up to 5.5 stops of correction
  • Additional Shake Correction: Up to 6 stops of shake correction** when used with EOS R Series cameras with IBIS
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.89ft at 200mm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.41x at 400mm
  • Autofocus Technology: Canon Nano USM for smooth, quiet, and high-speed autofocus

Fujifilm – XF70-300mmF4-5.6

Overview

The Fujinon XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS is a weather-resistant telephoto zoom lens for Fujifilm X-Series cameras. It may be used for a range of telephoto shooting requirements thanks to its adaptable focal length range of 70–300mm.

The lens’s F4–F5.6–F22 aperture range offers versatility in adjusting the depth of focus. The telephoto range’s maximum magnification of 0.33x enables close-up shots with astounding detail.

The lens construction consists of 17 elements in 12 groups, including 1 aspherical element and 2 extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, ensuring excellent image quality with minimized aberrations and distortions.

The weather-resistant structure adds durability and enables shooting in challenging weather conditions. Despite its robust features, the lens remains lightweight, weighing only 600g, making it convenient for handheld photography and travel.

Specs

  • Lens Type: Telephoto zoom lens
  • Aperture Range: F4-F5.6 to F22
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.33x (telephoto)
  • Weather Resistance: Weather-resistant structure
  • Weight: 600g

Final Verdict

Now it’s time to conclude our post. Let’s give it a recap, the power zoom lens has the capability to change the zoom/focal length of a lens with the press button via battery power. You can also change the focal length manually if you want to take the most precise shots.

That’s all for today. If you have any further queries about the power zoom lens or any questions about photography, feel free to ask us in the comments. We will try to answer all of your questions. Thank You!

Leave a Comment