Depth of Field Calculator
Calculate the range of acceptable sharpness in your photos
What is Depth of Field?
Depth of field (DoF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appear acceptably sharp. A shallow DoF isolates subjects with a blurry background; a deep DoF keeps everything in focus.
Factors Affecting DoF
Wider aperture (lower f-number) creates shallower DoF. Longer focal length compresses perspective and reduces DoF. Closer subject distance dramatically decreases DoF. Larger sensors produce shallower DoF at equivalent framing.
Hyperfocal Distance
The hyperfocal distance is the closest focusing distance at which infinity remains acceptably sharp. Focus at this distance to maximize depth of field—ideal for landscape photography where you want both foreground and background in focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do aperture and focal length affect depth of field?
Wider apertures (lower f-numbers like f/1.4) produce shallower depth of field, blurring backgrounds more. Longer focal lengths compress the scene and reduce DoF at the same framing. Both effects combine: shooting a portrait at 85mm f/1.8 from 2 meters gives dramatically shallower DoF than shooting the same composition at 35mm f/4.
Why does subject distance change depth of field so dramatically?
DoF shrinks rapidly as you move closer. At 1 meter from a subject with a 50mm f/2.8 lens on full frame, the sharp zone is only a few centimeters deep. At 5 meters it grows to well over a meter. This is why macro photographers struggle with razor-thin focus planes even when stopped down to f/8 or f/11.
Does sensor size affect depth of field at the same settings?
Yes. A larger sensor uses a larger circle of confusion, which at the same f-number and framing results in shallower DoF. Full-frame produces noticeably more background blur than APS-C at equivalent framing, and Micro Four Thirds requires roughly two stops narrower aperture to match full-frame DoF. The calculator accounts for this via sensor-specific circle of confusion values.
What is hyperfocal distance and why does it matter for landscape photography?
Hyperfocal distance is the closest focus point at which infinity still falls within the acceptable sharpness zone. Focusing at this distance maximizes depth of field, keeping everything from about half that distance to infinity sharp. For a 24mm lens at f/8 on full frame, hyperfocal is roughly 2 meters, meaning focusing at 2 meters keeps a foreground rock at 1 meter sharp along with distant mountains.
Can I use depth of field numbers to decide whether to focus stack?
Yes. If the calculator shows your near limit is farther than your desired foreground subject, focus stacking is necessary. For example, if the near limit at f/11 is 0.8 meters but your rock is at 0.3 meters, you will need at least two exposures focused at different distances. The DoF values tell you exactly how far apart to space each focus point.