A telephoto lens will have the ability to magnify an image from a certain distance. This means that it will allow the person who is looking through the lens to see things even from a distance. A zoom lens will allow the person to see the object in a much bigger size.
A telephoto lens can be used better if you want to see things from a distance and you want the image to be clear enough. Zoom is more focused on the width of the object that you are looking at. Its goal is to make the object bigger so that you will know what you are looking at. These two types of lenses can be used for different purposes.
Cameras are used to take pictures of things or people. However, there may be times when you want to take a picture up close to something, but you should not get that close to the object. For example, you may want to take a picture of a tiger that is far away in the field while you are on a safari.
Instead of running up close to it, you may want to use your zoom lens or telephoto lens to get a close up of the tiger without being in danger. A zoom lens is simply the primary term used to focus on an item far away or get a close up of that item. A telephoto lens is a unique zoom lens usually with professionals.