1. An offset catadioptric system comprising, in order along an optical path from an object field to a corresponding image field: a convex mirror positioned opposite to the object field, the convex mirror defining an optical axis; a lens system, wherein the lens system is a zoom lens system; and an image sensor, the convex mirror and the lens system acting in concert to image the object field onto the image sensor, the image sensor and the object field positioned on opposite sides of the optical axis.