Camera Field of View Calculator
Calculate the field of view (angle of view) for your camera and lens combination. Determine how wide or narrow your view will be based on focal length and sensor size.
Lens focal length in millimeters
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your lens focal length in millimeters (found on the lens barrel or in specifications).
- Select your camera's sensor type from the dropdown, or choose "Custom" to enter specific dimensions.
- If using custom, enter the sensor width and height in millimeters.
- The calculator displays horizontal, vertical, and diagonal field of view angles in degrees.
Field of View Formula
Field of view is calculated using the sensor dimension and focal length:
Example: A 50mm lens on a full-frame sensor (36mm wide) has a horizontal FOV of 2 × arctan(36 ÷ (2 × 50)) = 39.6°.
Full Description
Field of view (FOV) is a fundamental concept in photography that determines how much of a scene your camera can capture. It's the angular extent of the observable world that is visible through the lens and sensor combination. Understanding FOV helps photographers choose the right lens for their intended shot and predict how subjects will appear in the frame.
FOV depends on two factors: focal length (shorter focal lengths = wider FOV) and sensor size (larger sensors = wider FOV for the same focal length). This is why a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera captures a different view than the same 50mm lens on an APS-C camera—the smaller sensor effectively crops the image, reducing the field of view.
This calculator helps you understand the relationship between focal length, sensor size, and field of view. Use it when planning shots, choosing lenses, or understanding how your camera system compares to others. The horizontal, vertical, and diagonal FOV values help you visualize exactly how much of the scene you'll capture with your current setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is field of view (FOV)?
Field of view is the angular extent of the scene that a camera can capture. It's measured in degrees and depends on both the lens focal length and the camera sensor size. Wider FOV captures more of the scene, while narrower FOV provides more "zoom".
How does sensor size affect field of view?
Smaller sensors (like APS-C or Micro Four Thirds) crop the image, effectively reducing field of view compared to full-frame sensors. A 50mm lens on APS-C has the same FOV as approximately 75-80mm on full-frame, depending on the crop factor.
What's the difference between horizontal, vertical, and diagonal FOV?
Horizontal FOV is the angle across the width of the frame, vertical FOV is the angle across the height, and diagonal FOV spans corner to corner. Diagonal FOV is typically the largest and is often used in lens specifications.
How do I use FOV for composition?
Understanding FOV helps you choose the right lens for your shot. Wide FOV (50°+) is great for landscapes and interiors. Normal FOV (40-50°) matches human vision. Narrow FOV (<30°) is ideal for portraits and telephoto shots.