π· Depth of Field Calculator
Enter focal length, aperture and subject distance to instantly get near/far focus limits, total DoF and hyperfocal distance.
βοΈ Shooting Parameters
H = fΒ² / (N Γ c) + f; Near = HΓs / (H + (s β f)); Far = HΓs / (H β (s β f)).
Where f = focal length (mm), N = aperture, c = circle of confusion (mm), s = focus distance (mm).
π Circle of Confusion (CoC) Reference
| Sensor Format | CoC (mm) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Format | 0.045 | Landscape, commercial |
| Full Frame | 0.030 | Portrait, reportage, landscape |
| APS-C | 0.020 | Entry to advanced DSLR/mirrorless |
| Micro Four Thirds | 0.015 | Light mirrorless, video |
| 1-inch | 0.011 | Compact cameras, drones |
β FAQ
What is depth of field and what factors affect it?
Depth of field is the range of distance in front of and behind the focus point that appears acceptably sharp. Three main factors control it: aperture (wider aperture = shallower DoF), focal length (longer lens = shallower DoF) and subject distance (closer = shallower DoF).
What is hyperfocal distance and how do I use it?
Hyperfocal distance H = fΒ²/(NΓc) + f is the closest focus distance at which everything from H/2 to infinity appears sharp. Landscape photographers focus at the hyperfocal distance with a small aperture to maximize sharpness. This tool warns you automatically when your focus distance reaches or exceeds the hyperfocal distance.
Why does a full-frame camera give shallower depth of field?
Larger sensors use a larger circle of confusion (0.030mm full frame vs 0.020mm APS-C vs 0.015mm M4/3). Because CoC sits in the denominator of the DoF equations, a larger CoC produces shallower depth of field for the same lens settings.