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Depth of Field Calculator

Calculate depth of field, near focus limit, and far focus limit based on focal length, aperture, subject distance, and sensor size.

Depth of Field

Depth of Field (DOF) is the range of distance in a photo that appears acceptably sharp.

Key formula:

Hyperfocal Distance (H) = (f² / (N × c)) + f

Near Focus = (H × D) / (H + (D - f))

Far Focus = (H × D) / (H - (D - f))

DOF = Far Focus - Near Focus

Where:

  • f = focal length (mm)
  • N = f-number (aperture)
  • c = circle of confusion (depends on sensor size)
  • D = distance to subject

Circle of confusion by sensor:

  • Full Frame (35mm): 0.030 mm
  • APS-C (Canon): 0.019 mm
  • APS-C (Nikon/Sony): 0.020 mm
  • Micro Four Thirds: 0.015 mm

What affects DOF:

  • Wider aperture (lower f-number) = shallower DOF
  • Longer focal length = shallower DOF
  • Closer subject = shallower DOF
  • Smaller sensor = deeper DOF at same framing

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