Digital zoom is a feature in many digital cameras that increases the apparent magnification of an image beyond the optical zoom of the lens. It works by cropping and enlarging the image captured by the camera's sensor (CCD or CMOS), which can reduce the overall resolution and image quality.
While digital zoom can be useful for small prints or on-screen viewing where large enlargements are not needed, it is generally less desirable than optical zoom, which maintains full image resolution. Most cameras allow users to turn digital zoom on or off, giving control over whether to prioritise convenience or maximum image quality.