What do these numbers on my camera's lense mean?

This has been intriguing me for quite a long time now... I have a basic knowledge on camera lenses, but I'm not really sure what the numbers on my camera mean exactly. This is what it sais:

f=3.9~62.4mm F1.6 Ø40.5mm

So, if anyone can clarify this to me... I'll be able to sleep once more.

Juan

 

Those are size measurements, that's stuff you'll need for getting filters and the like.

 

Those are f-stop settings. They adjust the focal length of the camera to control how much light is coming through the lens.

 

They are what I like to call "effstops".

 

Why's that?

~Neszis~

 

f=3.9~62.4mm
This is the focal length of the lens.
It zooms from a wide angle (3.9mm focal length) to telephoto at 62.4mm.
Sounds like aabout a 16x optical zoom.

F1.6
This is the f-stop (or f-number) of the lens.
It tells you the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the lens opening for light to pass through (aperture).
Likely based on the 3.9mm wide angle setting.
I think that puts the aperture at around 2.4mm

Ø40.5mm
This is the diameter of the filter adapter built onto the front of the lens. Any photo filter you buy must have the same diameter. Filters that match will just screw right into the front of the lens.

Hope this helps.
Have fun!

 

That was very helpful, thanks for all the answers.

Juan