Mastering zooming in and out in DaVinci Resolve is essential for both basic and advanced video editing. Whether you're adjusting framing, creating dynamic zoom effects, or using keyframe animations, this guide covers all the techniques you need.
Basic Zooming: The Transform Controls
The simplest way to zoom in and out in DaVinci Resolve is by using the Inspector Panel.
How to Zoom Using the Inspector
- Select the Clip in the timeline.
- Open the Inspector Panel (top right).
- Under the Transform section, find Zoom X and Zoom Y.
- Increase the values to zoom in, decrease them to zoom out.
- Adjust Position X and Y to reframe if needed.
✅ Best for: Simple zoom adjustments without animation.
Method 2: Using Dynamic Zoom for Smooth Effects
Dynamic Zoom creates a gradual zoom-in or zoom-out effect without keyframes.
How to Use Dynamic Zoom
- Select the Clip in the timeline.
- Open the Inspector Panel and enable Dynamic Zoom.
- Click the "Swap" icon if you want to zoom out instead of in.
- Adjust the green (start) and red (end) rectangles in the Viewer to set zoom points.
- Preview the zoom effect and fine-tune the framing.
✅ Best for: Fast and smooth zooms without manual keyframes.
Method 3: Creating Keyframed Zoom Animations
For precise control over zooming speed and direction, use keyframes.
How to Zoom Using Keyframes
- Select the Clip and open the Inspector Panel.
- Go to Zoom and click the diamond icon (🔷) to add a keyframe at the starting point.
- Move the playhead forward in the timeline.
- Increase or decrease the Zoom X/Y values for the desired zoom effect.
- DaVinci Resolve automatically animates the zoom between keyframes.
Refining Zoom Speed with Ease In/Out
- Open the Keyframe Editor (small icon next to the keyframe button).
- Right-click on a keyframe and select Ease In or Ease Out to smooth the transition.
✅ Best for: Advanced zoom control with smooth speed adjustments.
Method 4: Zooming with the Edit Page Crop Tool
For zoom-ins that reveal a specific area of a clip, you can crop the video and zoom manually.
How to Crop and Zoom
- Select the clip and open the Inspector Panel.
- Expand the Cropping section and crop the sides.
- Increase the Zoom values under Transform to enlarge the cropped area.
- Adjust the Position X/Y to frame the subject properly.
✅ Best for: Close-up framing without scaling the entire image.
Method 5: Zooming with the Fusion Page for Advanced Effects
If you need cinematic zoom effects or motion tracking, the Fusion Page provides deeper control.
How to Zoom in Fusion
- Select the clip and switch to the Fusion Page.
- Click MediaIn1 and press Shift + Space, then type "Transform" and select it.
- In the Inspector, adjust the Size parameter to zoom in or out.
- Use the Center X/Y values to reposition the zoomed frame.
- Add keyframes to animate the zoom over time.
✅ Best for: Complex zoom effects with smooth motion.
Troubleshooting: Zoom Issues in DaVinci Resolve
Zoom Is Blurry or Pixelated
If zooming makes the video look blurry, check these settings:
- Ensure you’re working with high-resolution footage (4K or higher).
- Enable Scaling Mode to "Resize Filter: Smoother" in the Project Settings.
- If possible, shoot with a higher resolution to maintain clarity when zooming.
Zoom Not Working in Fusion
- Make sure you're applying the zoom to a Transform Node, not directly to MediaIn1.
- Reset Zoom and Position settings in the Inspector Panel if unexpected results occur.
Laggy Playback After Applying Zoom Effects
- Enable Render Cache under Playback > Render Cache > Smart.
- Lower playback resolution to Half or Quarter in the timeline viewer.
Final Thoughts
Zooming in DaVinci Resolve can be as simple or advanced as you need. The Transform controls and Dynamic Zoom are great for beginners, while keyframes, Fusion, and cropping offer advanced customization.
For more expert tutorials, check out the DaVinci Resolve Bootcamp.
FAQ Zooming In and Out in Davinci Resolve
How do I zoom in and out in DaVinci Resolve?
To zoom in and out in DaVinci Resolve, select your clip, open the Inspector Panel, and adjust the Zoom X and Zoom Y values under the Transform section. Increasing the values zooms in, while decreasing them zooms out.
How to zoom in on a specific part of a video in DaVinci Resolve?
To zoom in on a specific area, select the clip, open the Inspector Panel, and increase the Zoom values. Adjust the Position X/Y to reframe the subject. For smooth animation, add keyframes to create a gradual zoom effect.
How to create a smooth zoom effect in DaVinci Resolve?
For a smooth zoom, use Dynamic Zoom in the Inspector Panel. Enable it, then adjust the green (start) and red (end) rectangles in the Viewer. To refine the motion, use Ease In and Ease Out in the Keyframe Editor when using manual keyframes.
How do you animate a zoom-in in DaVinci Resolve?
To animate a zoom, use keyframes in the Inspector Panel. Select your clip, click the Zoom keyframe button (🔷) at the start, move the playhead forward, increase the Zoom X/Y values, and let DaVinci Resolve animate the transition.
How to zoom in without losing quality in DaVinci Resolve?
To prevent pixelation, use high-resolution footage (4K or higher). In Project Settings, enable "Resize Filter: Smoother" under Scaling Mode to improve clarity when zooming.
How to zoom in and out using Fusion in DaVinci Resolve?
In the Fusion Page, add a Transform Node to the clip, then adjust the Size parameter to zoom. Use Center X/Y to reframe and apply keyframes for animated zooming.
Why is my zoom blurry in DaVinci Resolve?
Zooming into a low-resolution clip can cause blurriness. Use higher-resolution footage or apply sharpness adjustments in the Color Page to improve image quality.
How to zoom in on a cropped area in DaVinci Resolve?
Use the Cropping Tool in the Inspector Panel to remove unwanted areas, then increase Zoom X/Y under Transform to enlarge the cropped section.
How do I fix lag when zooming in DaVinci Resolve?
If playback is laggy after zooming, enable Render Cache (Playback > Render Cache > Smart), lower the playback resolution to Half or Quarter, and use Optimized Media for smoother performance.
Can I zoom in and out multiple times in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, use multiple keyframes in the Inspector Panel to create multiple zoom-ins and zoom-outs within a single clip. Adjust Ease In/Ease Out for smoother transitions.
