Optical change of focal length during recording.
Famous examples · Zoom
Vertigo
Hitchcock and his cinematographer pioneered the famous 'dolly zoom', in which the camera pulls back while the lens zooms in – the result is a visually destabilizing sensation of vertigo and depth distortion.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Conrad Hall's expressive zoom shots reflect the energy and immediacy of New Hollywood cinema, using the lens as a dramatic tool that negotiates distance and closeness in a single breath.
Zodiac
Fincher and Savides employ slow, barely perceptible zooms to amplify the characters' growing unease and obsession – the zoom becomes an instrument of inner psychological states.
Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson deliberately revives analogue zoom techniques of the 1970s to evoke the lightness and energy of youth in the San Fernando Valley – the zoom becomes a stylistic time travel.
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Definition
A zoom is an optical change in focal length during recording. The image is enlarged (telephoto) or reduced (wide-angle) without the camera physically moving.
Zoom vs. Dolly
| Aspect | Zoom | Dolly |
|---|---|---|
| Perspective | Remains the same | Changes |
| Space | Is compressed/expanded | Natural movement |
| Effort | Low | High |
| Effect | Flatter, artificial | More immersive, natural |
The Vertigo Effect
Also called "Dolly Zoom" or "Hitchcock Zoom": The camera moves towards an object while simultaneously zooming out (or vice versa). The object remains the same size, but the background changes dramatically.
Stylistic Use
- 1970s: Fast zooms as a stylistic device
- Documentary: Flexibility during shooting
- Modern Use: Mostly subtle or ironic
News
Fujifilm unveiled several new 4K broadcast zoom lenses at NAB Show 2026, including the UA22x4.8BERD, UA16x4BERD, and the UA94x8.7BESM, which is under development. The new optics are specifically optimized for 4K productions and expand the range of professional zoom solutions for broadcast applications.