Camera Field of View Calculator
Calculate camera angle of view and field of view from focal length, sensor size, and distance. Free photography calculator with charts and breakdowns.
About This Calculator
The Camera Field of View Calculator helps photographers, videographers, and filmmakers determine the exact angle of view and field of view for any lens and camera combination. Whether you are planning a photoshoot, scouting a location, or selecting the right lens for a shot, knowing your camera's field of view is essential for composing the perfect image.
This calculator uses the standard optical formula: Angle of View = 2 × arctan(sensor_size / (2 × focal_length)). The result is provided as horizontal, vertical, and diagonal angles in degrees. The Field of View is then derived as FOV = 2 × tan(AoV/2) × distance, giving you the actual width, height, and diagonal coverage in meters at your specified subject distance.
The calculator supports any camera system — DSLR, mirrorless, cinema cameras, medium format, and even smartphone cameras. Simply look up your camera's sensor dimensions (full-frame 36×24mm, APS-C approximately 22.3×14.9mm for Canon or 23.6×15.6mm for Nikon/Sony, Micro Four Thirds 17.3×13.0mm) and enter your lens focal length. The tool automatically computes the sensor diagonal as well.
Regional Notes
This calculator uses metric units (millimeters for sensor size and focal length, meters for distance and field of view). Photographers worldwide use millimeters for focal length and sensor dimensions as an industry standard. For field of view in feet, multiply the result in meters by 3.281. The calculator works universally for any camera system regardless of region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between angle of view and field of view?
Angle of view is an angular measurement that describes how much of a scene a camera can capture, expressed in degrees. It depends only on focal length and sensor size. Field of view is the linear width and height of the area captured at a given distance from the camera, expressed in meters or feet. Field of view depends on both the angle of view and the distance to the subject.
How do I calculate the angle of view of a camera?
The angle of view is calculated using the formula: aov = 2 × arctan(sensor_size / (2 × focal_length)). For a full-frame camera (36×24mm sensor) with a 50mm lens, the horizontal angle is about 39.6°, vertical about 27.0°, and diagonal about 46.8°. Enter your camera's sensor size and lens focal length into the calculator to get the exact values.
What is the standard sensor size for a full-frame camera?
A full-frame camera sensor measures 36mm × 24mm, with a diagonal of approximately 43.3mm. Other common sensor sizes include APS-C (approx. 22.3×14.9mm for Canon, 23.6×15.6mm for Nikon/Sony), Micro Four Thirds (17.3×13.0mm), and 1-inch sensors (13.2×8.8mm). The calculator lets you enter your specific sensor dimensions.
Is the Camera Field of View calculator free?
Yes, the Camera Field of View calculator is completely free to use with no registration required. You can bookmark or share the URL with your input values for later reference.
How does sensor size affect field of view?
A larger sensor produces a wider field of view for the same lens focal length. For example, a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera gives a horizontal field of view of about 7.2m at 10m distance, while on an APS-C camera the same lens gives only about 4.5m at the same distance. This is why crop sensor cameras have a crop factor that effectively multiplies the focal length.
What is the field of view of a 50mm lens?
A 50mm lens on a full-frame camera provides approximately 39.6° horizontal angle of view, 27.0° vertical, and 46.8° diagonal. At 10 meters distance, this translates to a field of view of about 7.2m × 4.8m. On an APS-C camera, the effective field of view is narrower — similar to a 75-80mm lens on full frame.
Can I use this calculator for video and cinema cameras?
Yes, this calculator works for any camera system including DSLRs, mirrorless, cinema cameras, smartphone cameras, webcams, and security cameras. Simply enter the sensor dimensions and lens focal length for your specific camera setup. For anamorphic lenses, use the horizontal field of view calculation with the taking lens focal length.