If power consumption is very important when choosing a low-end, compact, or prosumer digital camera (non-DSLR), consider how the digital camera allows for optical zoom adjustment. This is usually done via a motorized zoom or zooming ring.

A motorized zoom lets you press buttons or adjust a lever to zoom in or out. A zooming ring, similar to a manual focus ring, requires you to manually adjust the zoom by rotating the ring clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Both types of zoom require some battery usage as you adjust the zoom; the digital camera must adjust settings as the zoom factor changes. However, a motorized zoom-based digital camera should require even more power to run the zoom motor. Since your hands 'motor' the zoom ring in the latter types of digital cameras, no extra consumption of battery power is needed.

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