What is "varifocal lens"

n. A spectacle lens whose magnifying power varies from top to bottom, allowing them to be used for both distance use and for reading

A varifocal lens is a camera lens with variable focal length in which focus changes as focal length (and magnification) changes, as compared to parfocal ("true") zoom lens, which remains in focus as the lens zooms (focal length and magnification change). Many so-called "zoom" lenses, particularly in the case of fixed lens cameras, are actually varifocal lenses, which give lens designers more flexibility in optical design trade-offs (focal length range, maximum aperture, size, weight, cost) than parfocal zoom These are practical because of auto-focus, and because the camera processor can automatically adjust the lens to keep it in focus while changing focal length ("zooming") making operation practically indistinguishable from a parfocal zoom.