# Punch-in zoom

Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/punch-in-zoom
Last updated: 2026-10-08

> Definition: A punch-in zoom is a sudden, cut-like enlargement of the frame in the edit, cropping in on the subject to simulate a tighter camera angle, add emphasis or hide a jump cut.

A punch-in zoom makes one camera look like two. You crop into the frame at a cut, so the speaker suddenly appears closer. Because the change is instant, it reads like switching to a tighter camera rather than zooming. It's the most common way to give a one-camera talking-head video some rhythm.

## Why do editors use punch-in zooms?

Editors use punch-ins for three reasons:

1. **To hide jump cuts.** Changing the framing at a [jump cut](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/jump-cut) makes it look like a deliberate angle change.
2. **To add emphasis.** Punching in on a key line or a punchline tells the viewer "this part matters".
3. **To add pace.** Alternating framings across a long talking section keeps the picture from feeling static.

The trade-off is resolution. Cropping in on 1080p footage enlarges the pixels, so heavy punch-ins look soft. Recording in a higher resolution than you deliver gives you room to crop.

## Punch-in vs push-in: what's the difference?

A punch-in is instant and a push-in is gradual.

| | Punch-in | Push-in (slow push) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant, on a cut | Over a few seconds |
| Feels like | A second camera | A dolly moving closer |
| Use it for | Emphasis, hiding cuts, rhythm | Building tension, a serious beat |

## What's an example of a punch-in zoom?

A creator says, "And here's the part nobody tells you." On "nobody", the frame cuts from a mid shot to a tight shot of their face. Ten seconds later, at the next topic, it cuts back out to the original framing. That pair of framing changes is a punch-in and a punch-out.

## How do you punch in with Vidiyo?

There are two ways to punch in with Vidiyo. In the clip inspector, the **Camera moves** section has a one-click punch-in at the playhead (a hard 15 percent zoom), a button to return to the original framing, and a slow 8 percent push over three seconds. Or ask in chat, for example "punch in on 'nobody tells you'": the assistant splits out that line and scales it while keeping your face in frame. Both write ordinary framing [keyframes](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/keyframe) that survive later trims. What Vidiyo doesn't do is follow your mouse cursor in a screen recording; zooms are keyframed, not tracked.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much should a punch-in zoom?

Enough to read as a new framing, but not so much that the picture turns soft from enlarged pixels. Vidiyo's one-click punch-in uses 15 percent, which reads as a clear change without losing much sharpness.

### What is the difference between a punch-in and a push-in?

A punch-in jumps to the tighter framing instantly, like a cut. A push-in (or slow push) moves gradually over a few seconds, like a dolly move, and builds tension rather than marking a beat.

### Does Vidiyo do cursor-following zooms on screen recordings?

No. Vidiyo's zooms are keyframed punch-ins and pushes on the clip's framing. It doesn't track the mouse cursor automatically.

## Related terms

- [Jump cut](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/jump-cut)
- [Keyframe](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/keyframe)
- [Talking-head video](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/talking-head-video)
- [Easing](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/easing)

## Where Vidiyo does this

- [Layers and keyframes, by hand or by chat](https://getvidiyo.app/features/layers-and-keyframes)
- [How to add punch-in zooms to a talking-head video](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/punch-in-zoom-talking-head)