Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Updated 29 October 2024 Field of View CalculatorField DimensionAngle of View Focal Length   mm Field Distance units Any units for Distance, feet or meters. Dimension results are the same units. WidthDimensionWidthDegrees HeightDimensionHeightDegrees Diagonal DimensionDiagonal Degrees Show field size at a 2nd distance(like if at the background?)Show 2nd distance at units 1 Native Sensor Size, WidthNative Sensor Size, Height mm mm Option 1 Aspect ratio uses Full Chip Native Aspect 16:9 crop in this sensor 3:2 crop in this sensor 4:3 crop in this sensor 5:4 crop in this sensor 1:1 crop in this sensor 3 Sensor Crop Factor Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film   6 6 & 8 Using Sensor Size in Option 1 3 4 5 of Same units  in the Width Height Diagonal  dimension 7 Any Field Distance is Same angle Find Focal Length for a Field of View Angle of degrees 8 x   using Feet Meters 9 Compute Sensor Size above from the measured dimensions of Field Width × Field Height (same units)actually measured in the view AT the distance and focal length specified above. This Calculator requires JavaScript be enabled in your browser The Angle of Field of View is independent of the field distance. The angle is computed from sensor size and focal length. The Field Distance is not limited to be only the subject or focus distance. Here it means the distance to the point where you want field size calculated. It might be the background distance for example (which then would show the Field of View at the background distance). A 2nd distance can be entered for convenience, but it is the same result as simply changing the first distance. When you specify a different embedded format (like 16:9 video on your 3:2 or 4:3 camera sensor, or a photo 4:3 format on your native 16:9 camcorder), this changes the effective sensor area and size from the format's original native value (usually a different image height), and changes the Crop Factor and the Field of View too. The calculator can show this. If using options 1 to 4, do pay attention to properly specify Aspect Ratio. The crop factor determines sensor Size, and then native aspect ratio specifies the Shape of it. This in turn specifies the size of any embedded formats contained within it, so it is important to compute the correct numbers. embedded format is a complication, but it is necessary to know the sensor area used. A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here Copyright © 2014-2024 by Wayne Fulton - All rights are reserved.

Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results.

Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

The Angle of Field of View is independent of the field distance. The angle is computed from sensor size and focal length. The Field Distance is not limited to be only the subject or focus distance. Here it means the distance to the point where you want field size calculated. It might be the background distance for example (which then would show the Field of View at the background distance). A 2nd distance can be entered for convenience, but it is the same result as simply changing the first distance. When you specify a different embedded format (like 16:9 video on your 3:2 or 4:3 camera sensor, or a photo 4:3 format on your native 16:9 camcorder), this changes the effective sensor area and size from the format's original native value (usually a different image height), and changes the Crop Factor and the Field of View too. The calculator can show this. If using options 1 to 4, do pay attention to properly specify Aspect Ratio. The crop factor determines sensor Size, and then native aspect ratio specifies the Shape of it. This in turn specifies the size of any embedded formats contained within it, so it is important to compute the correct numbers. embedded format is a complication, but it is necessary to know the sensor area used. A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here Copyright © 2014-2024 by Wayne Fulton - All rights are reserved.

Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Due to their abil­i­ty to mag­ni­fy dis­tance objects, long-focus lens­es present pho­tog­ra­phers with many uses. They are almost uni­ver­sal­ly laud­ed for por­trai­ture because their nar­row angle of view allows for a high­er mag­ni­fi­ca­tion of the sub­ject from con­ven­tion­al­ly more pleas­ing per­spec­tives. As a rule of thumb, a desir­able focal length for a por­trait lens starts at twice the nor­mal focal length for the cam­era sys­tem (about 85 mm for full-frame and 56 mm for APS‑C).

A prime or fixed focal length lens has a set focal length that can­not be changed. There are sev­er­al crit­i­cal dif­fer­ences between prime and zoom lens­es that you should know. Prime lens­es are gen­er­al­ly small­er, faster, and have bet­ter opti­cal char­ac­ter­is­tics than zoom lens­es. Despite this, pho­tog­ra­phers fre­quent­ly opt to shoot with zoom lens­es because of their con­ve­nience: a sin­gle lens can replace sev­er­al of the most pop­u­lar focal length prime lens­es. This is espe­cial­ly impor­tant when you’d pre­fer to pack light, such as dur­ing a trip or a hike.

Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

These values may be very difficult to determine for phones and compact cameras and camcorders, but larger cameras likely show specification values better. Alternately, you can specify an accurate crop factor as a way to compute actual sensor size. Or Option 4 can compute Crop Factor from an accurate lens Equivalent Focal Length specifications (for a 1x sensor). The image's Exif data normally reports focal length. Use the actual real lens focal length with the actual sensor size. If you don't know focal length, the Exif data in the image file probably shows it (zoom lens focal length changes with zoom). The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers.

In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Any units for Distance, feet or meters. Dimension results are the same units. WidthDimensionWidthDegrees HeightDimensionHeightDegrees Diagonal DimensionDiagonal Degrees Show field size at a 2nd distance(like if at the background?)Show 2nd distance at units

Wide-angle lens­es rep­re­sent the only prac­ti­cal method of cap­tur­ing a scene whose essen­tial ele­ments would oth­er­wise fall out­side the angle of view of a nor­mal lens. Con­ven­tion­al sub­jects of ultra wide-angle lens­es include archi­tec­ture (espe­cial­ly inte­ri­ors), land­scapes, seascapes, cityscapes, astropho­tog­ra­phy, and the entire domain of under­wa­ter pho­tog­ra­phy. Wide-angle lens­es are often used for pho­to­jour­nal­ism, street pho­tog­ra­phy, auto­mo­tive, some sports, and niche por­trai­ture.

Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC.

A cell phone camera actual main focal length IS CERTAINLY NOT NEAR 26 MM as is often told on the internet. That would seem to obviously be its "Equivalent Focal Length", meaning this phone camera has the same field of view as a 35 mm camera would have, if *IT* used that 26 mm focal length. That's just to compare its field of view for users with 35 mm film experience, but that 26 mm varies too, not all cell cameras have the same size sensor. A cell phone camera "normal" lens focal length is closer to 4 or 5 mm (± a fraction, but it depends on actual sensor size). Do be advised that a calculator will compute more garbage if given garbage data. UNITS: Field of View is computed from focal length and sensor size (both of which are always units in milimeters), and also its dimensions are computed from distance of the Field of the View. The external dimensional units of field or distance (those outside the camera) can use any units, including feet, meters, miles, km, light years or cubits, etc. I’ll just call them Units. Results will be in those same units, but YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH UNITS. External distance and field size must be in the SAME units here (because the dimensional units in the similar triangle in front of the lens do cancel out if consistent). The blue numbers shown here are the computed FoV Size Result numbers. Fisheye lenses or macro or unusually close focus distances are different special cases that WILL adversely affect calculation accuracy. These special cases are NOT provided here. Macro necessarily works using size magnification (like 1:1) instead of focus distance (The focal length at 1:1 magnification is typically twice what is marked on the lens). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size here (Option 2 was deleted following improvements). It is a busy screen. Enter Focal Length and Distance, select a sensor size in Option 1-5. Then Field of View is computed from focal length, distance, and sensor size. Options 6-8 are more special purpose, but Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently specified by Options 1-5. The Blue FLIP button at Option 6 simply toggles to swap the Focal Length and Distance parameters for 6 and 8, to specify either one and find the other. After typing text numbers here, to process the change in an active field, you can just hit the Enter key in that field, or you can use the ReCompute button. The buttons should compute automatically.

Fieldof viewcalculator

Field Distance units Any units for Distance, feet or meters. Dimension results are the same units. WidthDimensionWidthDegrees HeightDimensionHeightDegrees Diagonal DimensionDiagonal Degrees Show field size at a 2nd distance(like if at the background?)Show 2nd distance at units

Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Full Chip Native Aspect 16:9 crop in this sensor 3:2 crop in this sensor 4:3 crop in this sensor 5:4 crop in this sensor 1:1 crop in this sensor 3 Sensor Crop Factor Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

Updated 29 October 2024 Field of View CalculatorField DimensionAngle of View Focal Length   mm Field Distance units Any units for Distance, feet or meters. Dimension results are the same units. WidthDimensionWidthDegrees HeightDimensionHeightDegrees Diagonal DimensionDiagonal Degrees Show field size at a 2nd distance(like if at the background?)Show 2nd distance at units 1 Native Sensor Size, WidthNative Sensor Size, Height mm mm Option 1 Aspect ratio uses Full Chip Native Aspect 16:9 crop in this sensor 3:2 crop in this sensor 4:3 crop in this sensor 5:4 crop in this sensor 1:1 crop in this sensor 3 Sensor Crop Factor Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film   6 6 & 8 Using Sensor Size in Option 1 3 4 5 of Same units  in the Width Height Diagonal  dimension 7 Any Field Distance is Same angle Find Focal Length for a Field of View Angle of degrees 8 x   using Feet Meters 9 Compute Sensor Size above from the measured dimensions of Field Width × Field Height (same units)actually measured in the view AT the distance and focal length specified above.

First about Camera or Video format specifications This calculation requires accurate sensor size and focal length and field distance. Calculators simply MUST be told accurate numbers, else otherwise, the standard saying is "garbage in, garbage out". It will compute with the numbers you enter. That means YOU must know those numbers. All of the problems are from not knowing this accurate data. These values may be very difficult to determine for phones and compact cameras and camcorders, but larger cameras likely show specification values better. Alternately, you can specify an accurate crop factor as a way to compute actual sensor size. Or Option 4 can compute Crop Factor from an accurate lens Equivalent Focal Length specifications (for a 1x sensor). The image's Exif data normally reports focal length. Use the actual real lens focal length with the actual sensor size. If you don't know focal length, the Exif data in the image file probably shows it (zoom lens focal length changes with zoom). The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers. Field of View Calculator Field of View can be expressed as either the angular view or the dimensional field which can be horizontal width, vertical height, or as the diagonal. Angular field of view is commonly stated as the diagonal (which is the circular lens view). The angle is independent of distance (angle is the same at any distance). Dimensional field of view (in feet, meters, etc) is computed at one specific distance (of same units). The Field of View accuracy is dependent on the known accuracy of distance, focal length and sensor size dimensions. Zoom lenses have many focal lengths. The applicable one used for a picture is possibly determined in the image EXIF data (but that can be inaccurate, especially if internal focusing). But see a complication of precision in zoom lenses. Regardless even if Equivalent focal length is mentioned here, DON'T specify any Equivalent Focal Length as being the Focal Length actually used on your camera, because it is not. They are Not the same thing. Using Equivalent Focal Length instead of the actual real focal length will produce a huge error. The Field of View calculation necessarily uses the real focal length of your actual lens. The term Equivalent Focal Length is NOT the focal length of the lens you are using. Instead Equivalent Focal Length convention refers to a comparison to different camera with either 35 mm film or a Full Frame 1x sensor, for the focal length *IT* would use to see the same size field of view as your lens sees on your camera. This number is familiar to the oldtimers with much 35 mm film experience (and DSLR 1x crop factor sensors). Meaning, if you do specify Equivalent Focal Length here, then to have any meaning, you must also specify the corresponding 36x24 mm 1x full frame sensor size (for which Equivalent Focal Length is specified) in Option 1 or 3 to compute that Equivalent Field of View. I would trust the manufacturer's data, but whoever else specified the Equivalent may not have it right. It won't be meaningful unless you understand what it means. I do see that the Apple iPhone 14 with multiple cameras has now labeled focal lengths with the Equivalent number — the angle of view in degrees would be equivalent, but the focal length number instead applies to 35 mm film size sensors. It is very puzzling why the manufacturers specifications can't simply mention the actual numbers for the cameras sensor size and focal length, but I suppose not many users care. A cell phone camera actual main focal length IS CERTAINLY NOT NEAR 26 MM as is often told on the internet. That would seem to obviously be its "Equivalent Focal Length", meaning this phone camera has the same field of view as a 35 mm camera would have, if *IT* used that 26 mm focal length. That's just to compare its field of view for users with 35 mm film experience, but that 26 mm varies too, not all cell cameras have the same size sensor. A cell phone camera "normal" lens focal length is closer to 4 or 5 mm (± a fraction, but it depends on actual sensor size). Do be advised that a calculator will compute more garbage if given garbage data. UNITS: Field of View is computed from focal length and sensor size (both of which are always units in milimeters), and also its dimensions are computed from distance of the Field of the View. The external dimensional units of field or distance (those outside the camera) can use any units, including feet, meters, miles, km, light years or cubits, etc. I’ll just call them Units. Results will be in those same units, but YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH UNITS. External distance and field size must be in the SAME units here (because the dimensional units in the similar triangle in front of the lens do cancel out if consistent). The blue numbers shown here are the computed FoV Size Result numbers. Fisheye lenses or macro or unusually close focus distances are different special cases that WILL adversely affect calculation accuracy. These special cases are NOT provided here. Macro necessarily works using size magnification (like 1:1) instead of focus distance (The focal length at 1:1 magnification is typically twice what is marked on the lens). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size here (Option 2 was deleted following improvements). It is a busy screen. Enter Focal Length and Distance, select a sensor size in Option 1-5. Then Field of View is computed from focal length, distance, and sensor size. Options 6-8 are more special purpose, but Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently specified by Options 1-5. The Blue FLIP button at Option 6 simply toggles to swap the Focal Length and Distance parameters for 6 and 8, to specify either one and find the other. After typing text numbers here, to process the change in an active field, you can just hit the Enter key in that field, or you can use the ReCompute button. The buttons should compute automatically.

Beyond por­trai­ture, long-focus lens­es are use­ful for iso­lat­ing sub­jects in busy and crowd­ed envi­ron­ments. Pho­to­jour­nal­ists, wed­ding, and sports pho­tog­ra­phers exploit this abil­i­ty reg­u­lar­ly. Due to their mag­ni­fy­ing pow­er, super tele­pho­to lens­es are a main­stay for wildlife and nature pho­tog­ra­phers. Last­ly, long-focus lens­es are fre­quent­ly used by land­scape pho­tog­ra­phers to cap­ture dis­tant vis­tas or to iso­late a fea­ture from its sur­round­ings.

A “nor­mal” lens is defined as one whose focal length is equal to the approx­i­mate diag­o­nal length of a camera’s image sen­sor. In prac­tice, such lens­es tend to fall into a range of slight­ly longer focal lengths that are claimed to pos­sess an angle of view com­pa­ra­ble to that of the human eye’s cone of visu­al atten­tion, which is about 55°.

But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Fieldof viewcamera

It’s impor­tant to rec­og­nize that the con­ve­nience and flex­i­bil­i­ty of zoom lens­es can inspire lazy pho­tog­ra­phy. The ease of chang­ing the angle of view encour­ages pho­tog­ra­phers to set­tle on com­po­si­tions that are good-enough, instead of seek­ing out bet­ter per­spec­tives and gain­ing a deep­er under­stand­ing of their sub­jects. What­ev­er lens you have, be it zoom or prime, it’s vital for the devel­op­ment of good pho­tog­ra­phy to con­sid­er your sub­ject from sev­er­al per­spec­tives by walk­ing towards, step­ping away, and cir­cling around them.

It’s impor­tant to under­stand that the degree to which the focal length mag­ni­fies an object does not depend on your cam­era or the size of its image sen­sor. Assum­ing a fixed sub­ject and sub­ject dis­tance, every lens of the same focal length will project an image of your sub­ject at the same scale. For exam­ple, if a 35 mm lens casts a 1.2 cm image of a per­son, that image will remain 1.2 cm high regard­less of your camera’s sen­sor for­mat. How­ev­er, on a Micro Four Thirds for­mat cam­era, the image of that per­son will fill the height of the frame, where­as it will occu­py half the height of a full-frame image sen­sor, and about one-third the height of a medi­um for­mat image sen­sor. As you progress from a small­er sen­sor to a larg­er one, the 1.2 cm high pro­jec­tion of the per­son remains unchanged, but it occu­pies a small­er part of the total frame. There­fore, although the absolute size of the image will stay con­stant across vary­ing image sen­sor for­mats, its size in pro­por­tion to each image sen­sor for­mat will be dif­fer­ent.

Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Sub­ject size is direct­ly pro­por­tion­al to the focal length of the lens. For exam­ple, if you pho­to­graph a soc­cer play­er kick­ing a ball, then switch to a lens that is twice the focal length of the first, the ren­dered size of every ele­ment in your image, from the per­son to the ball, will be dou­bled in size along the lin­ear dimen­sions.

Camera fieldof viewsimulator

The Angle of Field of View is independent of the field distance. The angle is computed from sensor size and focal length. The Field Distance is not limited to be only the subject or focus distance. Here it means the distance to the point where you want field size calculated. It might be the background distance for example (which then would show the Field of View at the background distance). A 2nd distance can be entered for convenience, but it is the same result as simply changing the first distance. When you specify a different embedded format (like 16:9 video on your 3:2 or 4:3 camera sensor, or a photo 4:3 format on your native 16:9 camcorder), this changes the effective sensor area and size from the format's original native value (usually a different image height), and changes the Crop Factor and the Field of View too. The calculator can show this. If using options 1 to 4, do pay attention to properly specify Aspect Ratio. The crop factor determines sensor Size, and then native aspect ratio specifies the Shape of it. This in turn specifies the size of any embedded formats contained within it, so it is important to compute the correct numbers. embedded format is a complication, but it is necessary to know the sensor area used. A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

A zoom lens allows pho­tog­ra­phers to vary its effec­tive focal length through a spec­i­fied range, which alters the angle of view and mag­ni­fi­ca­tion of the image. Zoom lens­es are described by stat­ing their focal length range from the short­est to longest, such as 24–70 mm and 70–200 mm. The focal length range of a zoom lens direct­ly cor­re­lates to its zoom ratio, which is derived by divid­ing the longest focal length by the short­est. Both of the lens­es above have a zoom ratio of approx­i­mate­ly 2.9x, or 2.9:1. The zoom ratio also describes the amount of sub­ject mag­ni­fi­ca­tion a sin­gle lens can achieve across its avail­able focal length range.

But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

In pho­tog­ra­phy, the most essen­tial char­ac­ter­is­tic of a lens is its focal length, which is a mea­sure­ment that describes how much of the scene in front of you can be cap­tured by the cam­era. Tech­ni­cal­ly, the focal length is the dis­tance between the sec­ondary prin­ci­pal point (com­mon­ly and incor­rect­ly called the opti­cal cen­tre) and the rear focal point, where sub­jects at infin­i­ty come into focus. The focal length of a lens deter­mines two inter­re­lat­ed char­ac­ter­is­tics: mag­ni­fi­ca­tion and angle of view.

This calculation requires accurate sensor size and focal length and field distance. Calculators simply MUST be told accurate numbers, else otherwise, the standard saying is "garbage in, garbage out". It will compute with the numbers you enter. That means YOU must know those numbers. All of the problems are from not knowing this accurate data. These values may be very difficult to determine for phones and compact cameras and camcorders, but larger cameras likely show specification values better. Alternately, you can specify an accurate crop factor as a way to compute actual sensor size. Or Option 4 can compute Crop Factor from an accurate lens Equivalent Focal Length specifications (for a 1x sensor). The image's Exif data normally reports focal length. Use the actual real lens focal length with the actual sensor size. If you don't know focal length, the Exif data in the image file probably shows it (zoom lens focal length changes with zoom). The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers.

Meaning, if you do specify Equivalent Focal Length here, then to have any meaning, you must also specify the corresponding 36x24 mm 1x full frame sensor size (for which Equivalent Focal Length is specified) in Option 1 or 3 to compute that Equivalent Field of View. I would trust the manufacturer's data, but whoever else specified the Equivalent may not have it right. It won't be meaningful unless you understand what it means. I do see that the Apple iPhone 14 with multiple cameras has now labeled focal lengths with the Equivalent number — the angle of view in degrees would be equivalent, but the focal length number instead applies to 35 mm film size sensors. It is very puzzling why the manufacturers specifications can't simply mention the actual numbers for the cameras sensor size and focal length, but I suppose not many users care. A cell phone camera actual main focal length IS CERTAINLY NOT NEAR 26 MM as is often told on the internet. That would seem to obviously be its "Equivalent Focal Length", meaning this phone camera has the same field of view as a 35 mm camera would have, if *IT* used that 26 mm focal length. That's just to compare its field of view for users with 35 mm film experience, but that 26 mm varies too, not all cell cameras have the same size sensor. A cell phone camera "normal" lens focal length is closer to 4 or 5 mm (± a fraction, but it depends on actual sensor size). Do be advised that a calculator will compute more garbage if given garbage data. UNITS: Field of View is computed from focal length and sensor size (both of which are always units in milimeters), and also its dimensions are computed from distance of the Field of the View. The external dimensional units of field or distance (those outside the camera) can use any units, including feet, meters, miles, km, light years or cubits, etc. I’ll just call them Units. Results will be in those same units, but YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH UNITS. External distance and field size must be in the SAME units here (because the dimensional units in the similar triangle in front of the lens do cancel out if consistent). The blue numbers shown here are the computed FoV Size Result numbers. Fisheye lenses or macro or unusually close focus distances are different special cases that WILL adversely affect calculation accuracy. These special cases are NOT provided here. Macro necessarily works using size magnification (like 1:1) instead of focus distance (The focal length at 1:1 magnification is typically twice what is marked on the lens). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size here (Option 2 was deleted following improvements). It is a busy screen. Enter Focal Length and Distance, select a sensor size in Option 1-5. Then Field of View is computed from focal length, distance, and sensor size. Options 6-8 are more special purpose, but Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently specified by Options 1-5. The Blue FLIP button at Option 6 simply toggles to swap the Focal Length and Distance parameters for 6 and 8, to specify either one and find the other. After typing text numbers here, to process the change in an active field, you can just hit the Enter key in that field, or you can use the ReCompute button. The buttons should compute automatically.

For instance, on full-frame cam­eras, whose image sen­sors mea­sure 36×24 mm, the diag­o­nal length is approx­i­mate­ly 43 mm, and yet, the 50 mm lens is con­ven­tion­al­ly con­sid­ered nor­mal. On APS‑C cam­eras (24 × 16 mm), whose diag­o­nal spans about 28 mm, a 35 mm focal length is regard­ed as nor­mal pri­mar­i­ly because its angle of view is sim­i­lar to the 50 mm lens on the full-frame for­mat. There­fore, nor­mal focal lengths will dif­fer as a func­tion of the camera’s image sen­sor size. In fact, as you con­tin­ue read­ing, keep in mind that descrip­tive terms such as “ultra-wide,” “short,” “long,” et cetera, implic­it­ly refer to the angle of view of a lens.

If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC.

If using options 1 to 4, do pay attention to properly specify Aspect Ratio. The crop factor determines sensor Size, and then native aspect ratio specifies the Shape of it. This in turn specifies the size of any embedded formats contained within it, so it is important to compute the correct numbers. embedded format is a complication, but it is necessary to know the sensor area used. A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

mm Option 1 Aspect ratio uses Full Chip Native Aspect 16:9 crop in this sensor 3:2 crop in this sensor 4:3 crop in this sensor 5:4 crop in this sensor 1:1 crop in this sensor 3 Sensor Crop Factor Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same).

Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

When you specify a different embedded format (like 16:9 video on your 3:2 or 4:3 camera sensor, or a photo 4:3 format on your native 16:9 camcorder), this changes the effective sensor area and size from the format's original native value (usually a different image height), and changes the Crop Factor and the Field of View too. The calculator can show this. If using options 1 to 4, do pay attention to properly specify Aspect Ratio. The crop factor determines sensor Size, and then native aspect ratio specifies the Shape of it. This in turn specifies the size of any embedded formats contained within it, so it is important to compute the correct numbers. embedded format is a complication, but it is necessary to know the sensor area used. A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Width Height Diagonal  dimension 7 Any Field Distance is Same angle Find Focal Length for a Field of View Angle of degrees 8 x   using Feet Meters 9 Compute Sensor Size above from the measured dimensions of Field Width × Field Height (same units)actually measured in the view AT the distance and focal length specified above.

In pho­tog­ra­phy, the term macro refers to extreme close-ups. Macro lens­es are nor­mal to long-focus lens­es capa­ble of focus­ing on extreme­ly close sub­jects, there­by ren­der­ing large repro­duc­tions. The mag­ni­fi­ca­tion ratio or mag­ni­fi­ca­tion fac­tor is the size of the sub­ject pro­ject­ed onto the image sen­sor in com­par­i­son to its actu­al size. A macro lens’ mag­ni­fi­ca­tion ratio is cal­cu­lat­ed at its clos­est focus­ing dis­tance. A true macro lens is capa­ble of achiev­ing a mag­ni­fi­ca­tion ratio of 1:1 or high­er. Lens­es with mag­ni­fi­ca­tion ratios from 2:1 to 10:1 are called super macro. Ratios over 10:1 cross over into the field of microscopy. When shop­ping for a macro lens, keep in mind that in the con­text of kit lens­es and point-and-shoot cam­eras, some man­u­fac­tur­ers use the macro moniker as mar­ket­ing short­hand for “close-up pho­tog­ra­phy.” These prod­ucts do not achieve 1:1 mag­ni­fi­ca­tion ratios. When in doubt, check the tech­ni­cal spec­i­fi­ca­tions.

Fieldof viewin games

A true zoom lens, known as a par­fo­cal lens, main­tains a set focus dis­tance across its entire focal length range. In the days before dig­i­tal photography—before elec­tron­ic aut­o­fo­cus, even—it was com­mon prac­tice to focus a zoom lens at its longest focal length before tak­ing the pic­ture at the desired (if dif­fer­ent) focal length. This tech­nique is no longer pos­si­ble because con­tem­po­rary vari­able focal length lens­es designed for pho­tog­ra­phy are almost exclu­sive­ly var­i­fo­cal lens­es, which do not main­tain set focus across their zoom range. In prac­tice, most pho­tog­ra­phers do not know the dif­fer­ence because the aut­o­fo­cus algo­rithms in their cam­eras com­pen­sate for the slight vari­a­tions.

dimension 7 Any Field Distance is Same angle Find Focal Length for a Field of View Angle of degrees 8 x   using Feet Meters 9 Compute Sensor Size above from the measured dimensions of Field Width × Field Height (same units)actually measured in the view AT the distance and focal length specified above.

The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Native Sensor Size, Height mm mm Option 1 Aspect ratio uses Full Chip Native Aspect 16:9 crop in this sensor 3:2 crop in this sensor 4:3 crop in this sensor 5:4 crop in this sensor 1:1 crop in this sensor 3 Sensor Crop Factor Options 3 & 4, see theAspect Ratio sub-options 3:2,   DSLR or One Inch 16:9 in 3:2 camera 4:3 in 3:2 camera 5:4 in 3:2 camera 1:1 in 3:2 camera 4:3, compacts or phones 16:9 in 4:3 camera 3:2 in 4:3 camera 5:4 in 4:3 camera 1:1 in 4:3 camera 16:9, camcorders 4:3 in 16:9 camera 3:2 in 16:9 camera 5:4 in 16:9 camera 1:1 in 16:9 camera 5:4 camera 1:1 camera 4 Focal length of this lens Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

Human fieldof viewSketchUp

For any giv­en cam­era sys­tem, nor­mal lens­es are gen­er­al­ly the “fastest” avail­able. Adjec­tives such as “fast” and “slow” always describe lens speed, which refers to a lens’ max­i­mum aper­ture open­ing. For instance, a lens with a ƒ/2 or larg­er aper­ture is gen­er­al­ly con­sid­ered fast; a lens with a ƒ/5.6 or small­er aper­ture is deemed to be slow. How is speed rel­e­vant to aper­ture? Recall the reci­procity law: larg­er aper­tures per­mit more light into the cam­era, there­by allow­ing you to use faster shut­ter speeds, and vice ver­sa.

mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

There's also a large chart of Field of View (angular, in degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors on the next page. Another page is a Field of View math section if interested in that. The Depth of Field calculator here can also show Field of View size at both subject or background distances. Or somewhat related (same math), another calculator can compute distance or size of an object in a photo. First about Camera or Video format specifications This calculation requires accurate sensor size and focal length and field distance. Calculators simply MUST be told accurate numbers, else otherwise, the standard saying is "garbage in, garbage out". It will compute with the numbers you enter. That means YOU must know those numbers. All of the problems are from not knowing this accurate data. These values may be very difficult to determine for phones and compact cameras and camcorders, but larger cameras likely show specification values better. Alternately, you can specify an accurate crop factor as a way to compute actual sensor size. Or Option 4 can compute Crop Factor from an accurate lens Equivalent Focal Length specifications (for a 1x sensor). The image's Exif data normally reports focal length. Use the actual real lens focal length with the actual sensor size. If you don't know focal length, the Exif data in the image file probably shows it (zoom lens focal length changes with zoom). The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers. Field of View Calculator Field of View can be expressed as either the angular view or the dimensional field which can be horizontal width, vertical height, or as the diagonal. Angular field of view is commonly stated as the diagonal (which is the circular lens view). The angle is independent of distance (angle is the same at any distance). Dimensional field of view (in feet, meters, etc) is computed at one specific distance (of same units). The Field of View accuracy is dependent on the known accuracy of distance, focal length and sensor size dimensions. Zoom lenses have many focal lengths. The applicable one used for a picture is possibly determined in the image EXIF data (but that can be inaccurate, especially if internal focusing). But see a complication of precision in zoom lenses. Regardless even if Equivalent focal length is mentioned here, DON'T specify any Equivalent Focal Length as being the Focal Length actually used on your camera, because it is not. They are Not the same thing. Using Equivalent Focal Length instead of the actual real focal length will produce a huge error. The Field of View calculation necessarily uses the real focal length of your actual lens. The term Equivalent Focal Length is NOT the focal length of the lens you are using. Instead Equivalent Focal Length convention refers to a comparison to different camera with either 35 mm film or a Full Frame 1x sensor, for the focal length *IT* would use to see the same size field of view as your lens sees on your camera. This number is familiar to the oldtimers with much 35 mm film experience (and DSLR 1x crop factor sensors). Meaning, if you do specify Equivalent Focal Length here, then to have any meaning, you must also specify the corresponding 36x24 mm 1x full frame sensor size (for which Equivalent Focal Length is specified) in Option 1 or 3 to compute that Equivalent Field of View. I would trust the manufacturer's data, but whoever else specified the Equivalent may not have it right. It won't be meaningful unless you understand what it means. I do see that the Apple iPhone 14 with multiple cameras has now labeled focal lengths with the Equivalent number — the angle of view in degrees would be equivalent, but the focal length number instead applies to 35 mm film size sensors. It is very puzzling why the manufacturers specifications can't simply mention the actual numbers for the cameras sensor size and focal length, but I suppose not many users care. A cell phone camera actual main focal length IS CERTAINLY NOT NEAR 26 MM as is often told on the internet. That would seem to obviously be its "Equivalent Focal Length", meaning this phone camera has the same field of view as a 35 mm camera would have, if *IT* used that 26 mm focal length. That's just to compare its field of view for users with 35 mm film experience, but that 26 mm varies too, not all cell cameras have the same size sensor. A cell phone camera "normal" lens focal length is closer to 4 or 5 mm (± a fraction, but it depends on actual sensor size). Do be advised that a calculator will compute more garbage if given garbage data. UNITS: Field of View is computed from focal length and sensor size (both of which are always units in milimeters), and also its dimensions are computed from distance of the Field of the View. The external dimensional units of field or distance (those outside the camera) can use any units, including feet, meters, miles, km, light years or cubits, etc. I’ll just call them Units. Results will be in those same units, but YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH UNITS. External distance and field size must be in the SAME units here (because the dimensional units in the similar triangle in front of the lens do cancel out if consistent). The blue numbers shown here are the computed FoV Size Result numbers. Fisheye lenses or macro or unusually close focus distances are different special cases that WILL adversely affect calculation accuracy. These special cases are NOT provided here. Macro necessarily works using size magnification (like 1:1) instead of focus distance (The focal length at 1:1 magnification is typically twice what is marked on the lens). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size here (Option 2 was deleted following improvements). It is a busy screen. Enter Focal Length and Distance, select a sensor size in Option 1-5. Then Field of View is computed from focal length, distance, and sensor size. Options 6-8 are more special purpose, but Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently specified by Options 1-5. The Blue FLIP button at Option 6 simply toggles to swap the Focal Length and Distance parameters for 6 and 8, to specify either one and find the other. After typing text numbers here, to process the change in an active field, you can just hit the Enter key in that field, or you can use the ReCompute button. The buttons should compute automatically.

As you have learned in the sec­tion on aper­tures and f‑numbers, “an increase in focal length decreas­es the inten­si­ty of light reach­ing the image sen­sor.” This rela­tion­ship is most obvi­ous in zoom lens­es. A “vari­able” aper­ture zoom lens is a lens whose max­i­mum aper­ture becomes small­er with increased focal length. These types of zoom lens­es are sim­ple to spot because they list a max­i­mum aper­ture range instead of a sin­gle num­ber. The range spec­i­fies the max­i­mum aper­ture for the short­est and longest focal lengths of the zoom range. Vari­able aper­ture lens­es are the most com­mon type of zoom lens. A con­stant aper­ture or “fixed” aper­ture zoom lens is one whose max­i­mum aper­ture remains con­stant across the entire zoom range. Fixed aper­ture lens­es are typ­i­cal­ly more mas­sive and more expen­sive than their vari­able aper­ture coun­ter­parts. They are also more straight­for­ward to work with when prac­tic­ing man­u­al expo­sure at the max­i­mum aper­ture since no com­pen­sa­tion for lost light is required dur­ing zoom­ing.

The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

This calculator tool computes the Field of View seen by your camera and lens. Field of View is an angle which depends on the focal length and sensor size, but the calculator also computes dimensional Field of View sizes (width, height, or diagonal fields) at some specific distance, like at the subject distance, and another, like at a background distance. We don't always care about precise field size, but suppose you plan a portrait to include a 2x3 foot subject area. You should know you need to stand back six or eight feet for proper portrait perspective. What focal length is that field size and distance going to require? (Option 6, and it depends on your sensor size). And the background may be six feet farther back yet, then how large does it have to be? This calculator can plan or verify your choice. More usage descriptions are below the calculator. There's also a large chart of Field of View (angular, in degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors on the next page. Another page is a Field of View math section if interested in that. The Depth of Field calculator here can also show Field of View size at both subject or background distances. Or somewhat related (same math), another calculator can compute distance or size of an object in a photo. First about Camera or Video format specifications This calculation requires accurate sensor size and focal length and field distance. Calculators simply MUST be told accurate numbers, else otherwise, the standard saying is "garbage in, garbage out". It will compute with the numbers you enter. That means YOU must know those numbers. All of the problems are from not knowing this accurate data. These values may be very difficult to determine for phones and compact cameras and camcorders, but larger cameras likely show specification values better. Alternately, you can specify an accurate crop factor as a way to compute actual sensor size. Or Option 4 can compute Crop Factor from an accurate lens Equivalent Focal Length specifications (for a 1x sensor). The image's Exif data normally reports focal length. Use the actual real lens focal length with the actual sensor size. If you don't know focal length, the Exif data in the image file probably shows it (zoom lens focal length changes with zoom). The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers. Field of View Calculator Field of View can be expressed as either the angular view or the dimensional field which can be horizontal width, vertical height, or as the diagonal. Angular field of view is commonly stated as the diagonal (which is the circular lens view). The angle is independent of distance (angle is the same at any distance). Dimensional field of view (in feet, meters, etc) is computed at one specific distance (of same units). The Field of View accuracy is dependent on the known accuracy of distance, focal length and sensor size dimensions. Zoom lenses have many focal lengths. The applicable one used for a picture is possibly determined in the image EXIF data (but that can be inaccurate, especially if internal focusing). But see a complication of precision in zoom lenses. Regardless even if Equivalent focal length is mentioned here, DON'T specify any Equivalent Focal Length as being the Focal Length actually used on your camera, because it is not. They are Not the same thing. Using Equivalent Focal Length instead of the actual real focal length will produce a huge error. The Field of View calculation necessarily uses the real focal length of your actual lens. The term Equivalent Focal Length is NOT the focal length of the lens you are using. Instead Equivalent Focal Length convention refers to a comparison to different camera with either 35 mm film or a Full Frame 1x sensor, for the focal length *IT* would use to see the same size field of view as your lens sees on your camera. This number is familiar to the oldtimers with much 35 mm film experience (and DSLR 1x crop factor sensors). Meaning, if you do specify Equivalent Focal Length here, then to have any meaning, you must also specify the corresponding 36x24 mm 1x full frame sensor size (for which Equivalent Focal Length is specified) in Option 1 or 3 to compute that Equivalent Field of View. I would trust the manufacturer's data, but whoever else specified the Equivalent may not have it right. It won't be meaningful unless you understand what it means. I do see that the Apple iPhone 14 with multiple cameras has now labeled focal lengths with the Equivalent number — the angle of view in degrees would be equivalent, but the focal length number instead applies to 35 mm film size sensors. It is very puzzling why the manufacturers specifications can't simply mention the actual numbers for the cameras sensor size and focal length, but I suppose not many users care. A cell phone camera actual main focal length IS CERTAINLY NOT NEAR 26 MM as is often told on the internet. That would seem to obviously be its "Equivalent Focal Length", meaning this phone camera has the same field of view as a 35 mm camera would have, if *IT* used that 26 mm focal length. That's just to compare its field of view for users with 35 mm film experience, but that 26 mm varies too, not all cell cameras have the same size sensor. A cell phone camera "normal" lens focal length is closer to 4 or 5 mm (± a fraction, but it depends on actual sensor size). Do be advised that a calculator will compute more garbage if given garbage data. UNITS: Field of View is computed from focal length and sensor size (both of which are always units in milimeters), and also its dimensions are computed from distance of the Field of the View. The external dimensional units of field or distance (those outside the camera) can use any units, including feet, meters, miles, km, light years or cubits, etc. I’ll just call them Units. Results will be in those same units, but YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH UNITS. External distance and field size must be in the SAME units here (because the dimensional units in the similar triangle in front of the lens do cancel out if consistent). The blue numbers shown here are the computed FoV Size Result numbers. Fisheye lenses or macro or unusually close focus distances are different special cases that WILL adversely affect calculation accuracy. These special cases are NOT provided here. Macro necessarily works using size magnification (like 1:1) instead of focus distance (The focal length at 1:1 magnification is typically twice what is marked on the lens). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size here (Option 2 was deleted following improvements). It is a busy screen. Enter Focal Length and Distance, select a sensor size in Option 1-5. Then Field of View is computed from focal length, distance, and sensor size. Options 6-8 are more special purpose, but Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently specified by Options 1-5. The Blue FLIP button at Option 6 simply toggles to swap the Focal Length and Distance parameters for 6 and 8, to specify either one and find the other. After typing text numbers here, to process the change in an active field, you can just hit the Enter key in that field, or you can use the ReCompute button. The buttons should compute automatically.

Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The con­stant angle of view of a prime lens forces this type of experimentation—“zooming with your feet”—because the oth­er options are either bad pic­tures or no pic­tures. Fur­ther­more, restrict­ing your­self to a sin­gle focal length for an extend­ed peri­od of time acquaints you to its angle of view and allows you to visu­al­ize a com­po­si­tion before rais­ing the cam­era to your face.

The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The angle of view describes the breadth, or how much, of a scene is cap­tured by the lens and pro­ject­ed onto your camera’s image sen­sor. It’s expressed in degrees of arc and mea­sured diag­o­nal­ly along the image sen­sor. Thus, the angle of view of any lens of a giv­en focal length will change depend­ing on the size of the cam­er­a’s image sen­sor. For exam­ple, a 50 mm lens has a wide angle of view on a medi­um for­mat cam­era, a nor­mal angle of view on a full-frame cam­era, a nar­row­er angle of view on an APS‑C cam­era, and a nar­row angle of view on a Micro Four-Thirds cam­era.

The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers.

Lens­es with an angle of view of 35° or nar­row­er are con­sid­ered long-focus lens­es. This trans­lates to a focal length of about 70 mm and greater on full-frame cam­eras, and about 45 mm and longer on APS‑C cam­eras. It’s com­mon for pho­tog­ra­phers to (incor­rect­ly) refer to long-focus lens­es as “tele­pho­to” lens­es. A true tele­pho­to lens is one whose indi­cat­ed focal length is longer than the phys­i­cal length of its body. Due to this ubiq­ui­tous mis­use of the word, there exists a fur­ther clas­si­fi­ca­tion of long-focus lens­es whose angle of view is 10° or nar­row­er called “super tele­pho­to” lens­es (equal to or greater than 250 mm on full-frame cam­eras and 165 mm on APS‑C cam­eras). For­tu­nate­ly, super tele­pho­to lens­es are more often than not actu­al tele­pho­to designs. A great exam­ple is the Canon EF 800 mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens, which is only 461 mm long.

The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results.

Fieldof viewhuman eye

Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Human eye fieldof viewin mm

Equivalent focal length on 35 mm film or 1x sensor mm mm 5 Film andSensor Size Description Mostly this is Film Size. For CCD sensors, it will show approximate WxH mm dimensions 1/10" CCD 1/8" CCD 1/6" CCD 1/4" CCD 1/3.2" CCD iPhone 5 1/3" CCD iPhone 5S, 6, f=4.2 mm 1/3" CCD iPhone 7 f=4 mm 1/2.9" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2.55" CCD iPhone XR, XS f=4.25 mm iPhone 13 f=5.7 mm 1/2.6" CCD Samsung 1/2.7" CCD 1/2.5" CCD 1/2.3" CCD Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic 1/2.3" CCD Sony Exmor 1/2" CCD 1/1.8" CCD 1/1.7" CCD Canon 1/1.7" CCD Pentax 1/1.6" CCD 2/3” CCD Fuji, Nokia 1/1.2" CCD One Inch, CX 2.7x crop Four Thirds 2x Olympus, Panasonic Foveon Sigma Canon APS-C 1.6x crop Canon APS-H 1.3x crop Canon full frame, 1x crop APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon DX, Sony APS-C 1.5x crop Nikon FX 1.2x crop Nikon FX 5:4 crop Nikon, Sony, full frame 1x crop Full frame, 1x crop Leica S3 FujiFilm GFX, Pentax 645D, Hasselblad X1D Hasselblad H6D 8 mm movie film Super 8 mm movie film 16 mm movie film Super 16 mm movie film Kodak Disc film Minox film 110 film 35 mm movie film Super 35mm movie film APS Panoramic film APS Classic film APS Group, HDTV film 126 film 127 - 40 x 40 mm film 127 - 60 x 40 mm film Half-frame 35 mm film 35 mm film 828 film XPAN film 120 - 6 x 4.5 cm film 120 - 6 x 6 cm film 120 - 6 x 7 cm film 120 - 6 x 9 cm film IMAX film 4 x 5 inch film 5 x 7 inch film 8 x 10 inch film

The image Exif data may show some what you need to know to obtain some of the required information about your cell phone or compact camera to operate this calculator. Determining this otherwise can be a rather difficult task (especially for video formats), and there are still ifs and buts. If you don't know sensor size, Option 4 can be just the ticket for phones and compacts, but if unsure about what it wants, please see this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size which might help. The biggest risks to FoV accuracy are in not actually knowing the accurate sensor size or accurate focal length, and also of course, your vague guess about the distance likely may not be accurate (but the angle of FOV is not dependent on the distance). DSLR specifications seem easily determined, and their specifications generally specify all the lens and sensor numbers, accurately, even if rounded a bit. But Compact and especially cell phone camera specifications don't bother to tell us much, so you may not find the necessary numbers for this calculator. Some newest phone models do contain two cameras (for wide and telephoto, which use two different sensors — Not necessarily the same sensor size or crop factor). But hints are offered that should determine some usable numbers.

Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

There are two types of wide-angle lens­es, rec­ti­lin­ear and fish­eye (some­times termed curvi­lin­ear). The vast major­i­ty of wide-angle lens—and oth­er focal lengths, too—are rec­ti­lin­ear. These types of lens­es are designed to ren­der the straight ele­ments found in a scene as straight lines on the pro­ject­ed image. Despite this, wide-angle rec­ti­lin­ear lens­es cause ren­dered objects to pro­gres­sive­ly stretch and enlarge as they approach the edges of the frame. In pho­tog­ra­phy, all fish­eye lens­es are ultra wide-angle lens­es that pro­duce images fea­tur­ing strong con­vex cur­va­ture. Fish­eye lens­es ren­der the straight ele­ments of a scene with a strong cur­va­ture about the cen­tre of the frame (the lens axis). The effect is sim­i­lar to look­ing through a door’s peep­hole, or the con­vex safe­ty mir­rors com­mon­ly placed at the blind cor­ners of indoor park­ing lots and hos­pi­tal cor­ri­dors. Only straight lines that inter­sect with the lens axis will be ren­dered as straight in images cap­tured by fish­eye lens­es.

In gen­er­al, a short focal length—or short focus, or “wide-angle”—lens is one whose angle of view is 65° or greater. Recall from above that angle of view is deter­mined by both focal length and image sen­sor size, which means that what qual­i­fies as “short” is pred­i­cat­ed upon a camera’s image sen­sor for­mat. There­fore, on full-frame cam­eras, the thresh­old for wide-angle lens­es is 35 mm or less, and on APS‑C cam­eras, it’s 23 mm or less. Lens­es with an angle of view of 85° or greater are called “ultra wide-angle,” which is about 24 mm or less on full-frame and 16mm or less on APS‑C cam­eras.

Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The rela­tion­ship between the angle of view and a lens’s focal length is rough­ly inverse­ly pro­por­tion­al from 50mm and up on a full-frame cam­era. How­ev­er, as the focal length grows increas­ing­ly short­er than 50mm, that rough pro­por­tion­al­i­ty breaks down, and the rate of change in the angle of view slows. For exam­ple, the change in angle of view from 100mm to 50mm is more pro­nounced than the change from 28mm to 14mm.

If you’re into math—and who isn’t?—the gen­er­al for­mu­la for cal­cu­lat­ing the angle of view when you know the focal length and the sen­sor size is:

Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

The focal length of a lens deter­mines its mag­ni­fy­ing pow­er, which is the appar­ent size of your sub­ject as pro­ject­ed onto the focal plane where your image sen­sor resides. A longer focal length cor­re­sponds to greater mag­ni­fy­ing pow­er and a larg­er ren­di­tion of your sub­ject, and vice ver­sa.

The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Fieldof viewmicroscope

A red warning may be shown if the Aspect Ratio specified does not match the native Crop Factor computed in Option 3 or 4 (native Aspect Ratio in Option 1 or 5 is computed from actual sensor size). The warning means that an aspect ratio with the correct base aspect ratio (the native sensor size) was likely not selected, which seems an easy oversight, not likely intended, but mistakes change active sensor size and the DOF numbers. Verify, but the warning can be ignored if it's actually correct (you could let me know about the facts of that situation). But meaning, if you select a 16:9 movie aspect ratio in a 4:3 camera, this correct aspect ratio selection specifies both, as "16:9 in 4:3 camera". The warning makes the standard assumption that native crop factors less than 2x should be 3:2, or equal or larger than 2x should be 4:3 (with exception for 2.7x), which are the normal expected and required camera values. Actually, I use 1.9x as that warning boundary. Rounding: Four or five significant digits may be shown, but inputs of focal length or distance or sensor size or aspect ratio values are rounded values, not that precise (the math is accurate, but camera specifications round things). In math, the final answer can only contain as many significant digits as the least precise value. Only couple of significant digits is not very precise, but should be somewhat close. Still multiplying a 5 mm sensor width into a 30 foot field width multiplies any error too. Excessive digits are shown just in case those results are reentered to recompute back to original values, avoiding additional round-off (for example in Option 9). That's just my whim to aid verifying all results are accurate. But for example, if you might claim the calculator does not compute your precisely measured field dimensions, then use them in Option 9 to compute your computed sensor size. It is simple geometry, except distance is normally a guessed value, and focal lengths are approximated rounded values. And also, the focal length marked on the lens is when focused at infinity. It generally becomes longer at close focus distances, except internal focusing can change focal length to other values. And zoom lenses report focal length in steps, not with full precision. Magnification of field size from sensor size can also compute actual focal length. But these rounded issues are generally not much problem for routine Field of View work. Knowing the accurate distance to the field is usually the main problem. Accepted Ft' In" InputValue 88 8.258.25 8' 6"8.5 8 6.58.542 8.1' 6.25"8.621 Units of either feet or meters work, but clicking the  green Ft' In" button  will assume distance is Feet, and will show Dimension results in "Feet and Inches" format. You can click the Green button again to toggle this option off or on. The Four distance fields above with green borders (the top Distance, and one in Option 6, and two in Option 9) will always accept distance input in either distance format. The chart at right shows accepted Ft' and In" formats (and always works in these green borders, whether if in Ft" In" mode or Not). Feet or inches can be decimal fractions of feet. Meaning, in these four fields, two values with a space between will be interpreted as feet and inches. Any single value is feet or meters, as you intend as your choice, but any second value is assumed to be added as inches added to feet, regardless of any ' or " on it or not (the ' " are removed, but there must be a space as a field separator). So you can always enter feet either way, just as decimal feet without the inches, such as 8.5 feet, still same format as meters. The combined result is shown with the Magnification result Do use a simple clear method, and I'd suggest that entering fractional 8.25 feet style is always pretty clear. You can verify how the distance result was interpreted, as seen on the Magnification line of the results. The term Native (about sensor dimensions, aspect ratio, or crop factor) is used to mean the actual full size of the original chip area (before cropping to other smaller formats like 16:9 for example). The original size might not be exactly a nominal 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratio, which is probably very minor, but the calculator accepts any size. Select an Option, and click the Compute button (for all Option numbers). Options 1-5 are four ways to specify sensor size. Options 6 to 8 compute special requirements using the sensor size currently specified in options 1-5. Option 1 - Best accuracy is when entering actual exact sensor dimensions (width and height in mm, from actual camera specifications, for any aspect ratio). If you know them, use them. Option 2 - Was deleted, unneeded following improvements. Aspect Ratio (for options 3 and 4) Options 1 and 5 would already know native Aspect Ratio, but any special features (like 16:9 video format) require more (see Aspect Ratio options). If the red warning triggers, it will be good to double check your settings that Aspect Ratio and Crop Factor do not disagree. Crop Factor is size, and Aspect Ratio is shape, but there are conventions matching them. Generally DSLR are 3:2 in larger sensors (crop factor less than 2, except Four Thirds cameras are 2.7x), and phone and compact cameras are 4:3 in smaller sensors (larger crop factors), but some cameras may provide additional aspect options. One Inch (4:3 2x) and Four Thirds (3:2 2.7x) models both typically provide a menu allowing 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9. See the end of the summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more about embedded formats (video and still photos from same sensor). Option 3 - Second best method to determine sensor size, after 1. Otherwise a known precise crop factor is good, crop factor and sensor diagonal are directly related. Crop factor simply compares sensor diagonal to 35 mm film size, and we know all about 35 mm film size. We can determine the sensor dimensions from the sensor crop factor (if we know the correct Aspect Ratio). Crop factor is another rounded number; all specifications are rounded numbers, but probably close. See more at Determine Crop Factor. Option 4 - This is for when there is no clue about actual sensor size (phones and compacts and camcorders are problems). It computes sensor size using the lens specifications from Equivalent Focal Length on 35 mm film. There is much confusion about the term Equivalent Focal Length. It is Not your lens. Instead, Equivalent focal length means the specification of the hypothetical different lens used on 35 mm film that gives the same Field of View as the different lens that you actually use on your sensor size. What is Equivalent is the size of the Field of View produced by the two combinations of lenses and sensors. The compact camera lens spec normally shows both matching numbers (normally is specified for the ends of the zoom lens range if it zooms). But again, the Focal Length at the calculator's top field is the Real focal length on YOUR camera actually used, and NOT any Equivalent number. The Focal Lengths are NOT equivalent, but it simply means the Fields of View are the same size for those two situations. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. Examples of lens specs are shown there. Be sure you understand the methods shown, because improper input simply computes wrong results. Option 5 - You may be able to select one of the general sensor descriptions. Film sizes should be accurate, and the larger sensors with actual WxH dimensions too, but the "1/x inch" sensor numbers are Not fully precise, not actually even related to the digital sensor. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more. If using Option 5, for example for the 1/2.3" sensor size, 5 does not provide the aspect menu (due to the included film subchoices like 16:9 for movies.) If you want Field of View for 16:9 video, you can use Option 5 to compute sensor size or crop factor, and then use those in Options 1 or 3. The orange  Show All Sensors button in Option 5 will show a summary of all sensors in the Option 5 list, including dimensions, crop factor, aspect ratio and CoC. Options 6-8 still use the sensor size currently described in Options 1-5. The  blue Flip button  (near Option 6) will toggle to swap finding either Focal Length or Distance from the other, with the specified image size in option 6 and 8, to compute either one from the other. This Flip recomputes, but flipping will not show any change unless you change a corresponding number. Angles in Option 7 are not affected by this Flip. Option 6 - Finds focal length and distance combinations to provide a specific Field of View at that distance, for example 2x3 feet FoV for a portrait at subject distance, or 15x10 feet FoV for the background at background distance. The "Flip" allows either specifying distance to find focal length, or vice versa. It uses sensor size currently selected in options 1 to 5. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 7 - Angular field is independent of distance, so you can enter a known angular goal, like a relative number to frame the 0.5 degrees of Moon diameter, and just ignore any distance. If a distance is provided, the field dimension there is computed, but it does not influence the angle. If distance is blank, Option 7 will default to distance 10 (so the field math doesn't blow up), but just ignore it then. The calculator still computes FoV angle for the sensor dimension, and field dimensions for the distance. Note that phones that do not zoom cannot change focal length. Option 8 - Magnification. You can assume either feet or meters units in any option if consistent, and if consistent, any choice of units for distance will work for everything there. The other options calculate magnification for BOTH feet or meters. But Option 8 itself needs to know which way is applicable to match it. Any single distance number represents different distances for feet or meters. Dividing the distance in feet by 3.28 converts feet to meters, which will then see the same corresponding magnification number. The magnification number will vary slightly out past a decimal place or two, because the other values likely only have a couple of significant digits. Option 9 - Doubtful of much practical interest, but technically, you could actually measure and enter the actual Field of View Width and Height dimensions at a specified accurate distance (Not at closest lens focus, which changes focal length, but from 10 feet (3 meters) would be much better). Option 9 then operates backwards, to compute the sensor size (and all other numbers there), assuming the focal length and distance are accurate. The math is reversible. Focal lengths are extended longer and less precise up close, so the distance used ought to be at least several feet, or a few meters... or better, twice that. The apparent excessive significant digit precision used here may not have practical meaning, but the purpose is so Option 9 can precisely recompute same sensor size from previous FoV results. There are issues when trying to determine the sensor size of compact or phone cameras, and also with embedded formats (both video and still photo images from the same camera). Video 16:9 may use the assumed full sensor width, or it may not in some cameras. See this summary of Issues determining Sensor Size for more, if any issues. Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here

Scaling Field of View Greater focal length magnifies, and smaller sensor size crops. Using different focal lengths on the same sensor size scales the Field of View inversely proportionate. If 2x focal length, the field dimensions are 1/2 size, but the objects therein are 2x size on the sensor. This is the concept of "zooming". If the focal length is 1/2, it suggests a field twice wider, except the sensor size might crop it smaller, the sensor size cannot grow without replacing the camera. However, the Angle of View is Not linear. 2x focal length is NOT half angle. The field size varies with the trigonometry tangent function of the half angle, which is not linear. Wide angles become huge fields, however angles less than 10 degrees can still be considered approximately linear (this is the "small angle approximation" used in math). Using the same focal length on different sensor sizes scales the field frame size proportionately (half of sensor dimensions is 2x crop factor, which is half of field frame dimensions), but the objects therein are the same size. The lens always does what it does, but the sensor size crops it. This is the notion of "cropped sensors". Magnification Reproduction Magnification is a related property here. Greater lens magnification reduces Field of View, which calculation becomes inaccurate if magnification exceeds about 0.1 (i.e., if focus is too close, because focal length increases with close distance). However, other than macro lenses, normal lenses typically don't focus any closer. But this FoV calculation is not accurate for macro distances. Macro purposes find it much easier to use Magnification for calculations instead of focal length, that being: Magnification (of object at focus distance) = object image size on sensor / object size in real life. Magnification = sensor size / external field size at focus distance. Magnification at 1:1 macro is 1   (same size image on sensor as the object real size). Magnification of object at Infinity is 0   (infinitesimal in image). The most usable general understanding to compare magnification of focal lengths (for same sensor and same distance) is that the resulting image size is the simple ratio of the two focal lengths. Compared to a 50 mm lens, a 400 mm lens will show an enlarged view 8x the subject size and 1/8 the Field of View (400/50 = 8). This example 1/8 is true of frame dimensional Field of View, or 8x for subject size, however the numeric angle of view number (in degrees) is Not linear with focal lengths. Meaning of magnification in cameras : If the magnification is specified 0.01, that means sensor image is 1/100 of size of the real scene field (and the field at the subjects distance is 100 times larger than the sensor). For example using initial defaults with a 24 mm focal length and Option 8 using Option 1 sensor, specifying sensor size of 36x24 mm, then: The field corresponding to 0.01 size reproduction is 100 times larger, or 24 mm is 94.488 inches Height, which is 7.874 feet Height (100 × 24 mm sensor height), and also computed to occur at 100 × 24 mm focal length = 7.874 feet, which again 24 mm is 94.4488 inches. This is the ratio of 1:100 size. Coincidentally, both sensor height and focal length here are 24 mm, which is not significant, other than they are just numbers. Change Option 8 to use Option 3 sensor of 1.5 crop, 24x16mm sensor size. 100:1 Distance ratio to 24 mm focal length is still at 7.874 feet, but now the sensor Width is 24 mm, so field size of Width now becomes 7.874 feet. The smaller sensor simply "crops" the Field of View smaller, but the magnification remains the same (if focal length and focus distance remain the same). Magnification (for cameras) can be computed in two very standard ways, as was just mentioned. Assuming the same distance, then: Magnification = (Sensor dimension / FoV dimension), horizontal dimension for example. Since macro distance changes focal length drastically from what is marked, macro work uses this dimension method. Magnification = (focal length / field distance) computes same number (similar triangles). Regular lenses only slightly change focal length at distances greater than a few feet (less than magnification 0.1), so focal length can be easier than measuring a distant field dimension. When these dimensions or distances are equal (when image size on sensor is equal to field real life size, or, when field distance is equal to sensor distance), this is 1x magnification, called 1:1 reproduction. But other than at 1:1, camera "magnification" is normally a reduced size on the sensor, normally much less than 1. Magnification of 0.01 means the sensor image is 1/100 size of the real scene Field of View. Magnification of 0.001 means 1/1000 size on sensor. Note: I'm saying "focused distance to sensor" is called "focal length", which it is when focused onto the sensor. The focal length number marked on the lens applies ONLY to focus at infinity. Focal length necessarily becomes a little longer when focused closer. This affects f/stop numbers too, but it only becomes significant in math when magnification grows to approach 0.1 (which generally is slightly closer than most lenses will focus, except macro lenses). Binocular and telescope magnification numbers are different systems than cameras. Binoculars are direct "viewing devices", and their "x power optical magnification" number is relative to the size our naked eye sees at 1x. If the device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, or same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. If the viewing device uses a magnifying eye piece (like binoculars and telescopes use), then their magnification is (main lens focal length / eye piece focal length). So the long focal length main objective lens magnifies, like a camera lens, and the short eyepiece lens magnifies that. But if eyepiece somehow was also the same focal length, that is a magnification of 1, not meaning 1:1, but instead the same size as what the naked eye would see. But cameras don't use this eyepiece to be the same concept. The magnification result of camera lenses is only seen on the sensor (Not direct viewing), which then that small image must be externally enlarged much more for viewing. If no eyepiece lens is used (if telescope is attached like a camera lens, called prime focus photography), then the normal camera Magnification = focal length / subject distance applies. Our Moon is 3474 km diameter, and its appearance here on Earth is only near 0.5 degrees size. Then 10x binoculars will show it enlarged to apparent 5 degree size. But the size of the moon is only a few mm on our camera sensor, so the camera math sees that as an extreme size reduction, and not likely a meaningful number. It becomes meaningful at macro distances like 1:1 magnification. Some uses in astronomy in the past attempted to compare cameras and telescopes as if a 50 mm lens gives 1x magnification (so a 2000 mm telescope directly attached as prime focus lens might be said to give 2000/50 = 40x, 40 times larger than a 50 mm lens sees). That 1x of 50 mm is a confusion factor; it is simply relative to a 50 mm lens instead of to our naked eye or to any other lens. Back in the day, a 50 mm lens was considered the "normal lens" if on a 35 mm film body, which used to be very popular. However in a different sensor size situation today, 50 mm and its Field of View may not have meaning to your situation. Nevertheless, in this 2000 mm case, 2000 / (your comparison lens focal length) would still give a meaningful comparison size number of those two lenses. That's all the 50 mm comparison tries to do, but many fewer people use a 50 mm camera lens today. Compact and cell phone camera lenses are normally about maybe 4 mm (unless zoomed). Use your own lenses focal length number there. But cameras are a "reproduction device", and the magnification number is relative to the actual real life size of the field being reproduced. Maybe except for the largest film, it will be enlarged more when we view it. So obviously, on the sensor, sensor dimension / FoV dimension (or likewise, focal length / subject distance) is the actual magnification, normally a size reduction. For example, reproduction size of 1/100 is 0.01x or 1:100... on the sensor. In contrast, the DSLR viewfinder magnification specification has an eyepiece, and is compared to the eye's view (which is called 1x), regardless of the camera lens attached (it's only about how well we see the viewfinder image of the image on the sensor). But otherwise, the magnification of that lens image is instead compared to the reproduction size of the distant Field of View (affected by focal length and distance). Lens magnification is Not affected by sensor size, the lens simply does what it does, and the sensor captures what it is able to see. A mountable macro lens that does 1:1 simply does 1:1 size on any size sensor, but a larger sensor sees a larger field. Field size is affected by sensor size, and Field of View may be cropped proportionally smaller by a smaller sensor, but an object size in the lens image is unchanged (if focal length and distance are unchanged). Magnification is f/d, and is directly proportional to focal length or inversely to distance. 2x focal length is 2x more magnification of field size. 2x distance is 1/2 the magnification of field size. Therefore the combination of 2x focal length AND 2x distance together remain the same magnification and same field size. See the Depth of Field page for more about using that principle. Actually knowing the accurate precise sensor size and distance is the key to Field of View accuracy (but approximations may be useful too). Next page is a chart of angular Field of View (degrees) for many lens focal lengths and a few popular sensors. And there is also a FoV Math section for FoV. Menu of the other Photo and Flash pages here