Optical zoom refers to a camera lens that can be adjusted to change its focal length, allowing the photographer to zoom in or out without losing image quality. Unlike digital zoom, which enlarges pixels electronically, optical zoom physically alters the lens elements to magnify the subject.
Wide-angle zooms cover shorter focal lengths, ideal for landscapes and interiors, while telephoto zooms cover longer focal lengths for distant subjects such as wildlife or sports. Superzooms offer a versatile range, from wide-angle to long telephoto, making them useful for general-purpose photography where flexibility is needed.