Depth of Field
Calculate depth of field for any camera and lens combo. Enter sensor size, focal length, aperture, and focus distance to get near and far limits instantly.
About This Calculator
The Depth of Field Calculator helps photographers — from beginners to professionals — determine the zone of acceptable sharpness for any camera and lens setup. Whether you are shooting portraits with creamy bokeh or landscapes with edge-to-edge sharpness, this tool computes the near and far limits of acceptable focus based on your sensor size, focal length, aperture, and focus distance.
The calculator uses the standard depth of field formulas derived from geometric optics. First it computes the hyperfocal distance: H = f + f²/(N × c), where f is the focal length, N is the aperture f-number, and c is the circle of confusion. Then it calculates the near limit Dn = (H × u)/(H + (u - f)) and far limit Df = (H × u)/(H - (u - f)) when the focus distance u is less than H. When u ≥ H, the far limit extends to infinity (hyperfocal focusing). The depth of field is the difference between the far and near limits.
Each sensor preset carries its own circle of confusion value — 0.029 mm for full-frame, 0.019 mm for APS-C (Nikon/Sony), 0.018 mm for APS-C (Canon), 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds, 0.043 mm for medium format, and 0.011 mm for 1-inch type sensors. These values assume an 8×10 inch print viewed at a standard distance of 25 cm by a viewer with 20/20 vision.
Tips for Using Depth of Field
For portrait photography, use a wide aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8) and longer focal length (85-200 mm) for a shallow depth of field that isolates your subject. For landscape photography, use a narrow aperture (f/8 to f/16) and focus at the hyperfocal distance to maximize sharpness throughout the scene. For macro photography, depth of field becomes extremely shallow — often just millimeters — so precise focusing is essential.
Regional Notes
Depth of field is a universal optical phenomenon that does not vary by region. Camera equipment, sensor sizes, and lens specifications are consistent across IN, US, UK, and EU markets. Focal length is always measured in millimeters, and aperture f-numbers follow the same standard scale worldwide. This calculator uses metric units (meters and millimeters) as these are the global standard for lens and distance specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is depth of field in photography?
Depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph. It is determined by aperture, focal length, focus distance, and sensor size. A shallow depth of field blurs the background while keeping the subject sharp, ideal for portraits. A deep depth of field keeps more of the scene in focus, preferred for landscapes.
How does aperture affect depth of field?
Aperture has the most direct impact on depth of field. A wider aperture (smaller f-number like f/1.4) produces a shallower depth of field with more background blur. A narrower aperture (larger f-number like f/16) produces a deeper depth of field where more of the scene stays in focus. Each full stop change roughly doubles or halves the depth of field.
What is the circle of confusion?
The circle of confusion (CoC) is the maximum diameter that a point of light can spread on the sensor before it appears unacceptably blurry in the final image. It depends on sensor size, viewing distance, and print enlargement. Typical CoC values are 0.029 mm for full-frame, 0.019 mm for APS-C, and 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds sensors.
What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which everything from half that distance to infinity appears acceptably sharp. It is calculated as H = f + f²/(N × c) where f is focal length, N is aperture f-number, and c is the circle of confusion. Landscape photographers often use hyperfocal focusing to maximize depth of field.
Does sensor size affect depth of field?
Yes, sensor size affects depth of field. Larger sensors (full-frame, medium format) produce shallower depth of field than smaller sensors (APS-C, Micro Four Thirds) at the same aperture, focal length, and subject distance. However, to frame the same shot, smaller sensors use shorter focal lengths, which increases depth of field — so the overall difference is often less than expected.
How do I get a shallow depth of field for portraits?
To achieve a shallow depth of field for portraits: use the widest aperture your lens supports (f/1.4 to f/2.8), use a longer focal length (85mm to 200mm), get closer to your subject, and use a larger sensor (full-frame preferred). A 85mm lens at f/1.4 on full frame creates strong background separation with smooth bokeh.
What is the depth of field of a 50mm lens at f/1.8?
A 50mm lens at f/1.8 on a full-frame camera focused at 3 meters gives approximately 0.21 meters (21 cm) of depth of field. At 10 meters the DoF extends to about 2.5 meters, and at 1 meter it narrows to roughly 2 cm. The exact values depend on the circle of confusion for your sensor.
Can I use this calculator for medium format and APS-C cameras?
Yes, this calculator supports Medium Format (44×33mm), Full-Frame (36×24mm), APS-H, APS-C (Nikon/Sony and Canon), Micro Four Thirds, and 1-inch Type sensors. Each preset uses the appropriate circle of confusion value for accurate depth of field calculations. Select your sensor size from the dropdown menu.