Learn the simple steps to zoom in on your video clips in DaVinci Resolve. This technique is perfect for emphasizing key moments, reframing a shot, or creating dynamic camera movements.
First, make sure your video clip is on the timeline in the Edit page. Click on the clip you want to zoom in on to select it. It will be highlighted with a red border.
With the clip selected, navigate to the top-right corner of the screen and click on the Inspector button. This will open a panel with various properties for the selected clip.
In the Inspector panel, under the Transform section, you'll find the Zoom property. You can click and drag the number to the right to zoom in, or double-click to enter a specific value. Use the X and Y sliders together for a uniform zoom.
To create a smooth zoom effect over time, move your playhead to where you want the zoom to start. Click the diamond icon (keyframe) next to the Zoom property. Then, move the playhead to where the zoom should end, change the zoom value, and a new keyframe will be automatically added, creating the animation.
Pro Tips for Better Zooms
For a more professional-looking animated zoom, right-click on a keyframe in the timeline's keyframe editor and select Ease In or Ease Out. This will make the zoom start and end more gradually.
For a quick and easy zoom effect without manual keyframes, use the Dynamic Zoom feature in the Inspector. It automatically creates a smooth zoom in or out for the duration of the clip.
After zooming in, you may need to adjust the Position X and Y values (also in the Transform section) to keep your subject perfectly framed.
Be mindful that zooming in on footage can reduce its quality, especially if the source video is not high resolution. Avoid excessive zooming on 1080p footage if you're exporting in 1080p.
Explore other DaVinci Resolve guides and shortcuts