There are a wide variety of different camera lenses for digital cameras. These range from very small, inbuilt, fixed focal-length plastic lenses to large, glass, removable zoom lenses with special optical coatings. The final design of each camera and the features available are affected greatly by the type of lens used.
There are four main categories for digital camera lenses and these are fixed-focal length, retractable zoom, fixed zoom and interchangeable lenses.
Digital cameras using a fixed-focal length lens do not provide optical zoom but this does allow for compact camera design. The benefits of this type of camera are that they are relatively cheap, fast and simple to use and generally offer a wide angle view. However, these cameras are generally quite poor when it comes to actual optical quality, they struggle to zoom in on objects in the far distance and the lens itself is rarely adaptable for filters or converters. This type of camera is ideal for children learning to use their first camera or people looking for a basic device.
The difference between digital cameras, which use a retractable zoom lens, is that the zoom lenses extend when the camera is switched on and retract into the body of the camera when switched off. The benefits of this type of lens are that the lens is generally protected by a built-in cover and it allows for very compact, portable camera design. However this type of lens usually has a limited zoom range, does not support filters or converters and the ability to adjust focus manually is often restricted. This type of camera is ideal for the design conscious or for those looking to take basic snaps of friends, family and trips away.
Fixed zoom lenses are attached to the body of the camera and do not retract when the camera is switched off. Again this type of lens is generally protected by a built-in cover and allows for compact, portable cameras. However, it suffers from the same disadvantages as the retractable zoom lens, in that it usually has a limited zoom range, does not support filters or converters and the ability to adjust focus manually is often restricted. This type of camera is therefore ideal for those looking for a cool gadget or that have a restricted budget.
The main benefit of using an interchangeable lens is that it can be detached from the body of a digital SLR camera and replaced with any other compatible lens. This type of lens produces the best optical quality, provides a good degree of flexibility and the lens can be upgraded without the need to purchase a new camera. However, these types of lenses are bulky, expensive and demand some photographic expertise. This lens is most suitable for an experienced photographer looking to develop their skills and take it to the next level.
