DaVinci Resolve how-to
How to zoom in DaVinci Resolve (Zoom, keyframes, Dynamic Zoom)
Short answer
For a static zoom, raise Zoom in Inspector > Transform. For an animated zoom, either keyframe Zoom (click the diamond next to it at two points in time) or turn on Dynamic Zoom: in the viewer's Dynamic Zoom mode a green box sets where the move starts and a red box where it ends, and Dynamic Zoom Ease sets the acceleration.
Checked against: DaVinci Resolve 21, free version and Studio (Studio-only features are marked), Edit page unless stated, per the Resolve 21 Reference Manual (July 2026).
Method 1: Static zoom
Raise Zoom
Select the clip, open Inspector > Transform and increase Zoom; adjust Position to keep the subject centred.
Method 2: Dynamic Zoom
Open the overlay
Click the Transform/Crop/Dynamic Zoom button at the bottom left of the Timeline Viewer and choose Dynamic Zoom.
Set start and end
The green box is the starting size and position, the red box the ending one. Drag inside a box to pan, drag its corners to resize.
Choose the ease
In the Inspector, Dynamic Zoom Ease offers Linear, Ease In, Ease Out and Ease In and Out. Swap reverses the move.
Method 3: Keyframed zoom
Two keyframes
At the start point click the keyframe diamond next to Zoom; move the playhead, change Zoom, and Resolve adds the second keyframe.
If it doesn't work
| What you see | Fix |
|---|---|
| Zoom looks soft | You're enlarging past the clip's resolution; 4K footage on a 1080p timeline zooms about 2× cleanly. |
| Dynamic Zoom does nothing | Check Dynamic Zoom is enabled in the Inspector; adjusting the boxes enables it automatically. |
| Move starts or stops abruptly | Set Dynamic Zoom Ease to Ease In and Out. |
Questions people ask
What is Dynamic Zoom in DaVinci Resolve?
A quick pan-and-zoom (Ken Burns) effect set with a start and end box, without keyframes.
How do I zoom on one spot?
Place the red end box over that spot in Dynamic Zoom mode, or keyframe Zoom and Position.
Does Resolve import Final Cut's Ken Burns?
Yes. Ken Burns effects from Final Cut Pro X populate the Dynamic Zoom parameters.
More DaVinci Resolve guides
Sources and how we checked
- DaVinci Resolve 21 Reference Manual: Dynamic Zoom and onscreen Transform controls (p. 1247, 1250-1252) (checked 2026-10-05)
Reviewed October 5, 2026 by the Koldflux team. Each step is compared with DaVinci Resolve's own documentation (linked above) and with the top search results for this task; where they disagree, the maker's documentation wins. Steps without a source link follow the menu names that several current guides agree on.