Field of View Calculator

The Field of View (FOV) is the observable area that an imaging system can capture, expressed as a measurement across the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the scene. 

Accurate FOV measurements are critical in selecting the right lens for your advanced imaging camera and application. Our FOV calculator provides a simple, reliable way to calculate the horizontal and vertical field of view for your imaging system by entering the sensor size, focal length, and working distance. Perfect for quickly matching lenses and sensors to your application needs.

Calculating the FOV of a Specim Hyperspectral Camera is a slightly different process due to the effect of magnification. Refer to the Spectral Camera Calculator for this calculation, or check out Specim's Field of View Calculator located on their website product pages!

Field of view calculations

Input Parameters

Enter your specifications to calculate the field of view.

  • Camera Sensor Size: Image sensor format represents the size of the sensor, though it is not literally the size in inches as expressed.
  • Focal Length: The focal length of the lens used in the optical system, in mm. Longer focal lengths narrow the FOV but improve spatial resolution.
  • Working Distance: The distance from the target to the focal point of the lens, in mm. Increasing working distance generally increases the FOV but may reduce spatial resolution.

Tip: FOV is influenced by sensor size, focal length, and working distance. Adjusting these parameters allows you to balance coverage with resolution for your application.

How System Parameters Affect Field of View

  • Sensor Size: Larger sensors capture a wider scene at a given focal length.
  • Focal Length: Longer focal lengths reduce FOV but increase spatial resolution.
  • Working Distance: Increasing working distance expands FOV but may reduce detail.

Understanding these relationships helps you select the optimal camera and lens for your imaging task.

Enter your parameters below to explore how changes in focal length and working distance will impact your field of view.

The distance from the sensor to the focal point of the lens
The distance from the target to the focal point of the lens

These values represent the width and height of the scene captured by your imaging system at the specified working distance. Use them to evaluate camera-lens combinations, plan imaging setups, and ensure full coverage of your target area.