[r_fredrick_smith]

The best thing to do is to turn off the digital zoom in the camera. That makes it impossible to use accidentally. Digital zoom is just never worth using in my view, so its better off than on. Also, never do your focusing in the digital zoom mode. It will not be very accurate that way. You are better off to lock the focus at the point where you've already determined how much zoom will be used. With small point and shoots your best bet is to "always" crop in the camera. In other words get it right in the camera. Of course with a subject like the deers, you really can't walk closer since they'll bolt. So for subjects like that you need a different camera with longer zooms.
Cheers,
rfs