Crop view:

What is this?

Field of view (FOV) is how much of a scene your camera captures. A wide-angle lens (like 24mm) sees a broad view, while a telephoto lens (like 200mm) narrows in on a small slice. This simulator lets you compare up to four lenses on different sensors, overlaid on real-world scenes, so you can visualize exactly what each combination captures.

The FOV Formula

Field of view is determined by two factors: focal length and sensor size. The horizontal FOV angle is calculated as 2 × arctan(sensorWidth / (2 × focalLength)). A shorter focal length or larger sensor produces a wider angle of view.

Crop Factor & Equivalent Focal Length

When switching sensors, the "equivalent focal length" concept applies: a 50mm lens on an APS-C sensor (1.5× crop) frames the same as a 75mm on full frame. The smaller sensor captures a narrower central portion of the image circle, effectively cropping in.

Perspective vs. Focal Length

Perspective — the spatial relationship between near and far objects — depends only on camera position, not focal length. A 50mm and 200mm lens shot from the same spot show identical perspective, just different crops. Moving closer with a wide lens exaggerates depth; stepping back with a telephoto compresses it.

Key factors

Focal Length — The primary control over field of view. Shorter focal lengths see more of the scene; longer ones see less but magnify distant subjects.

Sensor Size — A smaller sensor crops into the center of the image circle, narrowing the field of view (the crop factor effect).

Orientation — Portrait (vertical) orientation shows a taller, narrower slice. Landscape (horizontal) shows the wider, more traditional view.

Scene Context — Different scenes (cityscapes, interiors, nature) help you understand how FOV changes feel in various real-world contexts.

Pro Tip

Add two lenses and toggle between a crop sensor and full frame on one of them to instantly see the crop-factor effect. A 35mm on APS-C frames almost identically to a 50mm on full frame.

Pro Tip

Use the scene selector to check coverage for specific shooting situations — a cityscape scene shows whether your wide-angle is wide enough to capture a building from across the street.

Pro Tip

When planning a lens purchase, add your current lens as Lens A and the lens you are considering as Lens B. The overlay shows exactly how much more or less you would see.

⚡Challengebeginner

You want to capture a wide view of a city skyline. Which focal length gives a wider field of view?

Hint: Lower focal length numbers mean a wider view.

FOV Simulator

Focal length

Sensor

Focal length

Sensor

What is this?

The FOV Formula

Crop Factor & Equivalent Focal Length

Perspective vs. Focal Length

Key factors

Focal Length — The primary control over field of view. Shorter focal lengths see more of the scene; longer ones see less but magnify distant subjects.

Sensor Size — A smaller sensor crops into the center of the image circle, narrowing the field of view (the crop factor effect).

Orientation — Portrait (vertical) orientation shows a taller, narrower slice. Landscape (horizontal) shows the wider, more traditional view.

Scene Context — Different scenes (cityscapes, interiors, nature) help you understand how FOV changes feel in various real-world contexts.

Pro Tip

Add two lenses and toggle between a crop sensor and full frame on one of them to instantly see the crop-factor effect. A 35mm on APS-C frames almost identically to a 50mm on full frame.

Pro Tip

Use the scene selector to check coverage for specific shooting situations — a cityscape scene shows whether your wide-angle is wide enough to capture a building from across the street.

Pro Tip

When planning a lens purchase, add your current lens as Lens A and the lens you are considering as Lens B. The overlay shows exactly how much more or less you would see.

⚡Challengebeginner

You want to capture a wide view of a city skyline. Which focal length gives a wider field of view?

Hint: Lower focal length numbers mean a wider view.