Zoom
In compact cameras there are two types of zoom. Optical zoom is a lens based zoom, digital zoom is also often quoted as a specification but basically don't use it. Some cameras give you the option of zooming in on the centre part of the image. Although the zoomed area looks bigger it still contains the same amount of pixels it did originally, so it will appear blocky and will lack resolution, particularly when printed. Not to be confused with optical zoom, which is far superior.
