optical zoom

I'm looking for a digital zoom camera.
As I understand it, the spec to look out for is the optical zoom, for
example 8x is more powerful than 4x, which is more powerful than 3x, right?
I'm a bit confused by the focal length. Some cameras are advertised as with
the same optical zoom figure but different focal lengths. e.g:
camera A : 3x optical zoom, 108mm max focal length
camera B: 3x optical zoom, 114mm max focal length
camera C: 8x optical zoom, 51.2mm max focal length.
What is, if any, the relation of the focal legth to optical zoom?
Can I solely trust the optical zoom figure quoted ? e.g. 4x is definetly
more powerful than 3x, no hidden tricks.

Thanks.
-CB

On Wed, 9 Jul 2003 14:50:58 +0800, "bcn" <ngcb.RemoveThis@pc.jaring.nospam.my>
found these unused words floating about:

 >I'm looking for a digital zoom camera.
 >As I understand it, the spec to look out for is the optical zoom, for
 >example 8x is more powerful than 4x, which is more powerful than 3x, right?
 >I'm a bit confused by the focal length. Some cameras are advertised as with
 >the same optical zoom figure but different focal lengths. e.g:
 >camera A : 3x optical zoom, 108mm max focal length
 >camera B: 3x optical zoom, 114mm max focal length
 >camera C: 8x optical zoom, 51.2mm max focal length.
 >What is, if any, the relation of the focal legth to optical zoom?
 >Can I solely trust the optical zoom figure quoted ? e.g. 4x is definetly
 >more powerful than 3x, no hidden tricks.
 >
 >Thanks.
 >-CB
 >
The 'max focal length' determines what 'reach' your camera will have.
The higher the number the more of a telephoto you'll get.

Divide that by the zoom factor and you'll have the widest angle your
camera will shoot.

Be sure that you're dealing with the "35mm equivalent" as digitals use
smaller lenses as the chip is a smaller area than film.

Another factor is the max f: stop you can use. That will determine how
much light you can get into the chip and thus get some shots others
will miss. Smaller is better.

IMHO a 7x or 8x optical is the lowest I'd go, otw you'll not have
enough wide anle for indoor or groups, nor enough telephoto for
distant scenic or sports.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->