What is this option ( Digital Zoom ) in the T3i

Hi all
i went to the web site which comparing camera vs camera
http://www.dpreview.co​m …eos600d&sortDir​=ascending

i made a compare between the T2i , T3i , 60D and 7D
i saw in the section in the left of the web page : Optics & Focus -Digital Zoom
That the T3i had 3-10x Digital Zoom
and there no for the T2i ,60D and 7D
My question is
for what this option in the T3i ?
Thanks

If you read the full review it tells you that the digital zoom is only for movie modes. DSLR's dont really do digital zooming, its pointless as it would be better done through cropping in the computer in post.

I haven't tried it for that particular camera, but digital zoom is just cropping in camera. You can do it for yourself later, in editing, without committing yourself.

Some cameras, I believe, try up scaling the shot after the "zoom" and that leads to quality loss. I have never found a digital zoom system that gives any true benefit, in the way of more reach. They are useless IMO.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13633589
If you read the full review it tells you that the digital zoom is only for movie modes. DSLR's dont really do digital zooming, its pointless as it would be better done through cropping in the computer in post.

Ah, yes, I can see that might be useful. I was just thinking in normal photography terms, in which case we agree that it's pointless.

Thanks a lot

sandpiper wrote in post #13633595
I haven't tried it for that particular camera, but digital zoom is just cropping in camera. You can do it for yourself later, in editing, without committing yourself.

Some cameras, I believe, try up scaling the shot after the "zoom" and that leads to quality loss. I have never found a digital zoom system that gives any true benefit, in the way of more reach. They are useless IMO.

The digital zoom is a movie mode only feature- but unlike cropping, it's utilizing different pieces of the sensor for different zoom levels. The result is a "zoom" feature for movies, where a standard 50mm would behave like you had different lenses on your camera - out towards 500mm. And all of this is done with minimal loss- because it is not cropping- but instead using different pieces of the sensor to create these varying zoom levels.
Useless in normal photography, but definitely something to consider if you are looking at video, or surveillance..

If you shoot video, it's quite useful. Instead of taking data from the whole sensor area and producing a measly 2MP (thus throwing away a lot of information) it just uses the central 2MP on the sensor, with a smaller area to fill the same output frame. From DP review

No "fake pixels". When you go beyond the 3x, pixels are interpolated - and that can be done after the fact if you must