Zoom Ratio

The zoom ratio is not the same as the total zoom power of the lens.

The zoom ratio indicates the difference between the wide-angle end of a projector's zoom lens and the telephoto end.

A projector with a zoom ratio of 1.5:1 has a range of 1.5 times the smallest image to the largest image, meaning that if the smallest image is 100 inches wide, the largest image that can be projected is 150 inches wide. A projector with a zoom ratio of 2:1 has a range of 2 times the smallest image to the largest image.

Zoom lenses make it possible to physically change the size of the displayed image without increasing or decreasing the distance from the projector to the screen. For example, if a customer wants a different size screen but can't move their projector, a zoom lens allows the projector to fill the new screen without moving the projector. A zoom lens allows portable projector setup to be quicker and easier when using the display in different environments and with different screen sizes.

Projectors with higher zoom ratios are generally more expensive due to their complex design than those with fixed lenses. These lenses can affect a projector's displayed brightness and increase the chance of chromatic aberrations in the displayed image.

The zoom ratio is an essential factor to consider when selecting a projector, as it determines the projector's flexibility in adjusting the size of the projected image. The zoom ratio is not the only factor that determines the flexibility of the projector, but it is crucial. However, other factors, such as lens shift and keystone correction, can also play a role in the flexibility of the projector.