The computer is probably just scrappable, unless maybe it has an interesting board in it, video, soundcard etc, just look for a name on it and a number and google it, usually the results will have a couple
ebay links to look at, and you can do further searches from there.
As long as you stay within your optical zoom, it shouldn't distort, it's the digital zoom that does that. If you'll watch the slider as you're zooming in, it will reach a point where it reaches the end of it's optical range and switches over to digital, just stop zooming when you reach that point, or before. Optical is using lenses, much like pulling a magnifying glass up for a larger view. Digital zoom is like stretching a balloon, that's why it distorts. It does enlarge it, but at the cost of clarity
And the 2 second delay does wonders for closeups, I use it on almost all still shots. It gives you a chance to steady up before the snap, and isn't busy taking a shot while i'm busy trying to push the button
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