Internal fixed-lens cameras: I've owned many fixed lens cameras with small optical zooming, all of which featured lenses which could rack out. My new Olympus TG-5 is the first "flat...

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

I've owned many fixed lens cameras with small optical zooming, all of which featured lenses which could rack out.

My new Olympus TG-5 is the first "flat front" camera in which the lens must rack out internally.

Just wondering how these work and whether the manufacturers of such cameras have to compromise—at the cost of performance—in order to have that internal racking lens.

If I knew how to search for the answer, I'd have done so (i.e., will the trolls not wag their fingers at me?). Sometimes, reading or posting on UHH is like sucking on a sour lemon.

Leitz Loc: Solms

markie1425 wrote:

I've owned many fixed lens cameras with small opti... (show quote)

Internal zoom is a desirable feature, I think they cost a little more to manufacture.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

markie1425 wrote:

I've owned many fixed lens cameras with small opti... (show quote)

The TG-5 is not the first camera to have in camera zoom.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Mac wrote:

The TG-5 is not the first camera to have in camera zoom.

Yes, of course I know that.

I'm asking whether manufacturers need to compromise image quality in order to have internal racking.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

markie1425 wrote:

Yes, of course I know that.

I'm asking whether manufacturers need to compromise image quality in order to have internal racking.

I would think so, especially at longer focal lengths, but that's just my guess. It will be interesting to see what others have to say.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Internal racking is a more complex design and is therefore, as Leitz pointed out, more costly to manufacture. Concerning the issue of optical performance compromise, only an optics expert can give you an accurate answer... not many of those on UHH.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

It most likely has something to do with making the camera waterproof. It's possible because the lens has an equivalent focal length of 25mm to 100mm, so the lens doesn't have to move as far as it would if it had a longer focal length range like 25mm to 720mm.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Thank you all, but no one really understood or answered my question.

I asked whether anyone knows whether an internal lens would negatively affect a camera's image.

So please, let's close this discussion.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Sorry. But to answer your question, No it wouldn't. Why would it? The zoom is just inside the camera body. The distance from the lens to the sensor must be the same as it is on a camera with an extending lens, rather than a contracting lens.

markie1425 wrote:

Thank you all, but no one really understood or answered my question.

I asked whether anyone knows whether an internal lens would negatively affect a camera's image.

So please, let's close this discussion.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

markie1425 wrote:

I've owned many fixed lens cameras with small opti... (show quote)

Given the choice, I'd prefer a non-Pinocchio lens.

The UHH Search feature is not very useful.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Bobspez wrote:

Sorry. But to answer your question, No it wouldn't. Why would it? The zoom is just inside the camera body. The distance from the lens to the sensor must be the same as it is on a camera with an extending lens, rather than a contracting lens.

I started wondering about internal lenses because I [seem to] remember older small Nikon (?) point-and-shoots where the lens was actually stacked vertically in some way.

I'll have to search for an example, but it seemed that those lenses did not rack horizontally.

But, I'm getting old...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I would suspect that optical quality would be good if the zoom range is moderate, say 18-120 35mm equivalent.

Kookuck Loc: Cleveland Ohio0

I don't know, but don't let the trolls get you down. If you don't understand something the best way to find out is ask. There are those out there that have a low opinion of themselves and the only way they can feel "superior" is to try and make others feel like idiots. My guess would be the lens moves internaly, but that is just a guess.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Kookuck wrote:

I don't know, but don't let the trolls get you down. If you don't understand something the best way to find out is ask. There are those out there that have a low opinion of themselves and the only way they can feel "superior" is to try and make others feel like idiots. My guess would be the lens moves internally, but that is just a guess.

Thank you for the comforting words about trolls. I administer several Facebook groups and we get rid of the trolls as soon as we recognize them. Don't know who runs this group, but they should remove the few bad actors.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

It used to be known that a fixed lens compact cameras image quality isn't very good because of the do-it-all lens the manufacturer has to put in them. Most of the advanced compact fixed lens cameras today have very good image quality but don't expect a very large zoom factor. Image quality of today's advanced point & shoot cameras are almost as good as an entry-level DSLR. Hope this helps.