Example Results:
Crop Factor: 1.6x
Effective Focal Length: 80mm
Equivalent Aperture: f/4.5
Field of View Angle: 47°
Hyperfocal Distance: 9.8m
This calculator provides an estimate of how sensor size affects focal length, aperture, and field of view. Useful for photographers comparing different cameras and lenses.
Ever wondered why a 50mm lens on one camera looks completely different on another? That’s crop factor at play. Whether you're a beginner trying to understand why your DSLR doesn’t match the look of a professional full-frame camera or a seasoned photographer switching between systems, understanding crop factor is essential.
This guide explains what crop factor means, how it affects focal length and aperture, and how you can use this knowledge to improve your photography. Plus, with the Crop Factor & Equivalent Focal Length Calculator, you’ll get precise numbers to compare different cameras and lenses.
Not all cameras have the same sensor size. The standard for professional photography is the full-frame sensor, which is the same size as 35mm film (36mm x 24mm). However, many cameras use smaller sensors, such as APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, and 1-inch sensors. When you use the same lens on a smaller sensor, it crops the image, effectively changing how the lens behaves.
Crop factor is the ratio of a camera sensor’s size compared to a full-frame sensor. A camera with a crop factor of 1.6x (APS-C) makes a 50mm lens behave like an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera. This has major implications for field of view, depth of field, and focal length equivalence.
To find the crop factor, divide the diagonal measurement of a full-frame sensor by the diagonal of your camera’s sensor:
Crop Factor = 43.3mm (full-frame diagonal) ÷ Sensor Diagonal
| Sensor Type | Sensor Size (mm) | Crop Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Full Frame | 36 x 24 | 1.0x |
| APS-C (Canon) | 22.3 x 14.9 | 1.6x |
| APS-C (Nikon/Sony/Fuji) | 23.6 x 15.7 | 1.5x |
| Micro Four Thirds | 17.3 x 13 | 2.0x |
| 1-inch Sensor | 13.2 x 8.8 | 2.7x |
The crop factor affects three key areas of photography:
You're using a Canon APS-C camera with a 35mm lens at f/2.8. The calculator shows:
You're using a 50mm lens at f/1.8 on an MFT camera. The calculator outputs:
| Full Frame (1.0x) | APS-C (1.6x) | Micro Four Thirds (2.0x) | 1-inch Sensor (2.7x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24mm | 38mm | 48mm | 65mm |
| 35mm | 56mm | 70mm | 95mm |
| 50mm | 80mm | 100mm | 135mm |
For landscapes, hyperfocal distance keeps the most area in focus. This depends on focal length, aperture, and crop factor.
Using a 24mm lens at f/8 on a full-frame camera, the hyperfocal distance is 3.8 meters. This means everything from 1.9m to infinity is in focus.
To use the calculator:
This tool helps photographers plan their shots and choose the best lenses for their needs.
Crop factor affects more than just focal length—it influences how images look, how light interacts with your sensor, and even how lenses behave. Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone, understanding these principles will help you make better decisions when choosing lenses.
Instead of guessing how your setup compares, use the Crop Factor & Equivalent Focal Length Calculator to get precise values and fine-tune your photography.
Try it now and refine your camera setup!
