Crop Factor Calculator
Calculate the crop factor for your camera sensor compared to full-frame (35mm). Understand how crop factor affects focal length and field of view.
Crop Factor
1.00x
Full-frame has no crop factor
Understanding Crop Factor
- Focal Length Equivalent: A 50mm lens on a 1.00x crop sensor has the same field of view as a 50mm lens on full-frame
- Field of View: Crop sensors capture a narrower field of view, effectively "zooming in" compared to full-frame
- Depth of Field: Crop factor doesn't change actual depth of field, but the equivalent aperture appears 1.00x smaller
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your camera\'s sensor type from the dropdown menu (APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, etc.).
- Alternatively, choose "Custom Diagonal" and enter your sensor\'s diagonal measurement in millimeters.
- The calculator displays the crop factor and explains how it affects focal length and field of view.
- Use this information to understand how your lenses will behave compared to full-frame cameras.
Crop Factor Formula
Crop factor is calculated by comparing the sensor diagonal to the full-frame (35mm) diagonal:
Example: APS-C sensors typically have a 28.21mm diagonal. Full-frame is 43.27mm. Crop factor = 43.27 ÷ 28.21 = 1.53x (often rounded to 1.5x).
Full Description
Crop factor is a fundamental concept in digital photography that describes how smaller sensors compare to full-frame (35mm film equivalent) sensors. It\'s expressed as a multiplier (e.g., 1.5x, 2x) that indicates how much the field of view is "cropped" compared to full-frame.
Understanding crop factor is essential for photographers because it affects how lenses behave. A 50mm lens on a 1.5x crop sensor captures the same field of view as a 75mm lens on full-frame, effectively giving you more "reach" without needing a longer lens. This makes crop sensors popular for wildlife, sports, and telephoto photography.
However, crop factor doesn\'t change the actual focal length or depth of field—it only affects field of view. The lens still projects the same image circle, but the smaller sensor uses only the center portion. This calculator helps you understand your camera system and how to compare it to full-frame equivalents when choosing lenses or planning shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is crop factor?
Crop factor is the ratio comparing a camera sensor's size to a full-frame (35mm) sensor. It indicates how much the field of view is "cropped" compared to full-frame. A 1.5x crop factor means the sensor is 1.5x smaller, giving a narrower field of view.
How does crop factor affect focal length?
Crop factor multiplies the effective focal length. A 50mm lens on a 1.5x crop sensor has the same field of view as a 75mm lens on full-frame. This is why crop sensors are popular for wildlife and sports photography—they effectively "zoom in" without longer lenses.
Does crop factor affect depth of field?
Crop factor doesn't change actual depth of field, but the equivalent aperture appears smaller. To match the depth of field of f/2.8 on full-frame, you'd need f/1.9 on a 1.5x crop sensor. However, the actual physical aperture remains the same.
Is crop factor the same as magnification?
Not exactly. Crop factor affects field of view, making it appear as if you're using a longer lens. However, it doesn't change the actual magnification or image quality—it just uses a smaller portion of the image circle projected by the lens.