Near & far limitsHyperfocal distanceLive estimate
Photography calculator
Camera depth of field calculator
Estimate how much of a photograph appears acceptably sharp from your focal length, aperture, focus distance and chosen circle of confusion.
Estimated focus range
3.39 m to 9.49 mTotal depth of field: 6.09 mExact results
Depth of field distances
Visual guide
Focus range diagram
Camera
Near limit
Subject
Far limit
Copyable summary
Camera setup and estimate
Calculating the example…
Photography guide
Understanding depth of field
What depth of field means
Depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest points that appear acceptably sharp. The near and far limits show where that range begins and ends around the focused subject.
Aperture, lens and distance
Smaller apertures such as f/11 usually increase depth of field. Longer focal lengths and closer focus distances usually reduce it when the other inputs stay unchanged.
Hyperfocal distance
Focus at the hyperfocal distance and the far limit reaches Infinity, while the near limit sits at roughly half the hyperfocal distance under the conventional model.
Circle of confusion
This is the largest blur circle treated as a point in the estimate. Presets are practical conventions, not physical sensor rules; framing, focal length and subject distance must also be considered.
Worked example
With a full-frame camera, 50 mm lens at f/8 and focus at 5 m, using a 0.030 mm circle of confusion, the calculator estimates a near limit around 3.39 m, a far limit around 9.49 m and a hyperfocal distance around 10.47 m.
Why this remains an estimate
Perceived sharpness also depends on output size, viewing distance, eyesight, lens performance, focus accuracy and diffraction. Use the result for planning rather than as a guarantee of critical sharpness.
FAQ
Depth of field questions
Does sensor size directly change depth of field?
Not by itself. Comparisons must also account for focal length, framing, focus distance, aperture and the selected circle-of-confusion convention.
Why does the far limit say Infinity?
The standard formula reaches Infinity when the subject is focused at or beyond the hyperfocal distance. Total and rear depth are therefore not shown as finite values.
Which circle of confusion should I use?
Start with the preset for your format. Choose a smaller custom value for more demanding output or viewing conditions, remembering that no single value suits every final use.
Can I use feet?
Yes. Choose feet for subject distance and every distance result will be displayed in feet while the formula continues to use millimetres internally.
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