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Field of View Calculations

Weil Jimmer edited this page May 4, 2025 · 1 revision

What's the difference between angle of view and field of view?

  • Angle of View: The angular extent of the scene that a lens captures, measured in degrees.
  • Field of View: The actual dimensions of the area captured at a specific distance, measured in linear units (feet, meters, etc.).

How is angle of view calculated?

The angle of view is calculated using this formula:

Angle of View = 2 × arctan(Sensor Dimension ÷ (2 × Focal Length))

Where "Sensor Dimension" can be diagonal, horizontal, or vertical measurement depending on which angle you're calculating.

Why do manufacturers typically advertise the diagonal angle?

Manufacturers usually specify the diagonal angle because it's the largest of the three measurements (diagonal, horizontal, vertical), making their lenses appear to have a wider field of view in marketing materials.

Why does my calculator result differ slightly from manufacturer specifications?

Several factors may cause slight differences:

  • Manufacturers may use simplified formulas or rounding
  • Optical distortion and lens design factors
  • Different reference points for measurement (entrance pupil vs. front element)
  • Marketing-driven adjustments to appear more competitive

Our calculator uses precise trigonometric formulas for maximum accuracy.