PD-170 manual snap zoom

If I understand your question correctly, then no: A PD-170 isn't capable of doing a traditional snap zoom.

The built-in lenses on popular 1/3" CCD cams such as the Sony PD-170 and Panasonic DVX-100B are less capable than removeable/interchangeable lenses on fullsize 1/2" & 2/3" CCD cams such as the DSR-390, DSR-570, DSR-400, DSR-450WSL, SDX-900 and so forth.

Of course, the lens in a PD-170 costs a fraction of what a typical pro lens costs, so some compromises are to be expected.

I've seen some folks do a snap zoom effect in post, but the image quality usually suffers as the pixels are being magnified digitally during the zoom.

All the best,

- Peter

If you want to do it for an effect, just use the regular zoom and remove frames in post to get the desired effect you want, it will be cleaner than using a zoom function in post as you will have a full frame start and finish.