A zoom lens is a type of photographic lens that allows its focal length to be continuously changed. The focal length, expressed in millimeters, determines the angle of view and the degree of magnification. By changing the focal length, a photographer can easily "zoom in" and "zoom out" on the scene being captured without having to physically move. For example, a lens with an 18–55 mm range allows for wide landscape shots at the shorter end (18 mm) and more detailed portraits at the longer end (55 mm). Thanks to this ability to change the composition directly within the lens, this type is very versatile. Its counterpart is a prime lens (or fixed-focal-length lens), which has only one unchangeable focal length.