The Casio Exilim EX-Z50 Zoom features a 3x, 5.8-17.4mm SMC Pentax lens, equivalent to a 35-105mm lens on a 35mm camera. Maximum aperture ranges from f/2.6 to f/4.8, depending on the zoom position, and remains under automatic control. Focus covers a range from 1.3 feet (40 centimeters) to infinity in normal shooting mode, with a Macro range from 2.4 to 19.7 inches (6 to 50 centimeters). The EX-Z50 Zoom offers both manual and automatic focus control, and features Infinity and Pan Focus settings as well. The Pan Focus option simply ties the focus to the zoom position, so that you can quickly snap an image without waiting on the autofocus to set. It essentially establishes a zone of focus, whose dimensions are shown when you press the shutter halfway. At wide angle 3.2 - 16ft (1.0 - 4.9m) will be in focus, and at full optical zoom 8.5 - 15.7ft (2.6 - 4.8m) will be in focus. In manual focus mode, the central portion of the image is enlarged 2x as an aid to focusing. An AF Area option under the Record menu sets the AF point to Spot or Multi, with the Multi setting automatically choosing the focus point from one of seven AF points arrayed in the center of the frame. A maximum of 4x digital zoom is available in addition to the optical zoom, effectively increasing the zoom capabilities to 12x. Keep in mind, however, that digital zoom always decreases the overall image quality because it simply enlarges the center pixels of the CCD image.