Zoom Lens Edit Meaning

1.

a Zoom lens is a lens on a camera (still and video both) to get a closer shot of the subject. There are lenses that have both optical zoom and digital zoomcapabilities (optical zoom being the better of the two)

"I have a Kodak camera with a 10x optical zoom lens"

See photography

2.

The lazy man's dolly or tracking shot. Used effectively only in cases where speed is needed to grab the audiences' attention.

"We're losing light. Let's use a zoom lens instead of going through the difficulties of pre-planning and executing a superior tracking shot."

See Creedmoor