Free Film & Video Tool · Calculator
Crop Factor & Field of View Calculator
Compare lenses across sensor formats — crop factor, equivalent focal length and horizontal, vertical and diagonal angle of view from real sensor dimensions, with depth-of-field aperture equivalence explained.
Deterministic maths that runs entirely in your browser — no AI model, no uploads, no account. Formulas and assumptions are explained below the calculator.
Inputs
Results update as you type.
Super 35 film gate; digital Super 35 sensors range roughly 23–28 mm wide.
Recorded area used: 24.89 × 18.66 mm
Recorded area used: 36 × 24 mm
Only used for the depth-of-field equivalence figure. It never changes exposure.
Results
Equivalent focal length on target
48.7 mm
Same diagonal angle of view (the usual convention)
To match horizontal framing
50.6 mm
Same horizontal angle of view — best when both cameras record the same aspect ratio
Crop factor
0.72×
Source 1.39× · target 1× vs full frame
Full-frame equivalent
48.7 mm
Of your lens on the source format
| Angle of view | Horizontal | Vertical | Diagonal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source, 35 mm | 39.1° | 29.9° | 47.9° |
| Target, 48.7 mm | 40.6° | 27.7° | 47.9° |
Your lens's physical focal length never changes — only the angle of view it gives on a different-sized recording area.
How it works
Lenses are labelled by their physical focal length, but how much of a scene they show depends on the size of the area the camera records. This calculator compares two formats using their actual recorded dimensions — choose a preset, pick the recording aspect (many cameras crop the sensor for 16:9 or DCI video), or enter your own camera's measurements.
The formulas
- Angle of view = 2 × atan(d ÷ 2f), where d is the recorded width, height or diagonal and f is the focal length
- Crop factor = full-frame diagonal (43.27 mm) ÷ the format's diagonal
- Equivalent focal length on another format = f × (target dimension ÷ source dimension)
- Depth-of-field equivalent aperture = N × (target diagonal ÷ source diagonal) — exposure is unchanged
Worked examples
- A 50 mm lens on full frame covers 39.6° horizontally and 46.8° diagonally.
- A 35 mm lens on Super 35 (1.39× crop) frames like 48.7 mm on full frame (diagonal), or 50.6 mm to match the horizontal view. At f/2.8 its depth of field is similar to f/3.9 on full frame — but it still exposes at f/2.8.
- A 25 mm lens on Micro Four Thirds (2× crop) frames like 50 mm on full frame.
Sensor presets
| Format | Width × height | Diagonal | Crop factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 36 × 24 mm | 43.3 mm | 1× |
| Super 35 | 24.89 × 18.66 mm | 31.1 mm | 1.39× |
| APS-C — Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm | 23.5 × 15.6 mm | 28.2 mm | 1.53× |
| APS-C — Canon | 22.3 × 14.9 mm | 26.8 mm | 1.61× |
| Micro Four Thirds | 17.3 × 13 mm | 21.6 mm | 2× |
| 1-inch type | 13.2 × 8.8 mm | 15.9 mm | 2.73× |
| Super 16 | 12.52 × 7.41 mm | 14.5 mm | 2.97× |
| Medium format 44 × 33 | 43.8 × 32.9 mm | 54.8 mm | 0.79× |
Presets use nominal dimensions (the same table as our Depth of Field Calculator). Real sensors in the same family vary, so use custom dimensions when you need exact framing for a specific camera and recording mode.
Assumptions and limitations
- Assumes a rectilinear lens focused at infinity. Close focusing, focus breathing and anamorphic or fisheye lenses change the real angle of view.
- Electronic image stabilisation, lens-correction crops and sensor windowing reduce the recorded area further.
- Choosing a camera? Our camera recommender narrows down bodies by budget and priority.
FAQ
- Does a crop sensor change my lens's focal length?
- No. A 50mm lens is 50mm on every camera. A smaller recording area captures a narrower slice of the image, so the angle of view matches what a longer lens would give on a bigger format — that's what 'equivalent focal length' means.
- Does a crop sensor change exposure?
- No. f/2.8 gives the same exposure (brightness at a given shutter and ISO) on any format. The 'equivalent aperture' only describes depth of field and total light gathered when you match framing.
- Why do two Super 35 cameras give different results?
- 'Super 35' and 'APS-C' are families, not exact sizes. Digital sensors in each family differ by a few millimetres, and many cameras crop further in some resolutions or frame rates. For exact numbers, enter your camera's recording-area dimensions from its specifications.
- Should I match the diagonal or the horizontal angle of view?
- Crop factors are conventionally quoted on the diagonal. For video, where both cameras usually record the same aspect ratio, matching the horizontal angle of view matches the framing you'll actually see.
- Is it free to use?
- Yes. There's no signup or account, and the calculations run entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server or an AI model.
- Can I share or save my results?
- Yes. Your inputs are saved in the page address as you type, so “Copy link” gives you a URL that reopens the calculator with the same settings. “Copy results” copies a plain-text summary.
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