DIGITAL CAMERA USING AN EXPRESS ZOOMING MODE TO PROVIDE EXPEDITED OPERATION OVER AN EXTENDED ZOOM RANGE

An electronic camera includes an express zoom mode for producing an expedited operation over an extended zoom range. The electronic camera includes a first zoom lens for forming a first image of the scene on a first image sensor, a first zoom positioner for adjusting the first zoom lens through a first plurality of discrete zoom positions, a second zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on a second image sensor, and a second zoom positioner for adjusting the second zoom lens through a second plurality of discrete zoom positions. A zoom controller enables an express mode when a user specifies a zoom transition from a present zoom setting within one of the plurality of discrete zoom positions to a target zoom setting within the other of the plurality of discrete zoom positions. Thereupon, the controller causes the zoom positioner for the target position to immediately move the corresponding zoom lens to the target zoom position without powering the other zooming positioner through any intervening discrete zoom positions. This operation enables an express zooming sequence in which the zoom positioners do not have to traverse all of the intervening zoom positions between the present zoom setting and the target zoom setting.