Related tools
Calculate lens focal length, check pixel density, or estimate DORI distances.
Related guide: CCTV Lens & Field of View Guide →
What Is CCTV Field of View?
Field of view describes the camera's angular view. Horizontal, vertical, and diagonal FOV describe different directions across the image.
Focal Length and Field of View
Shorter focal lengths generally give wider views, while longer focal lengths generally give narrower views. Sensor size also matters.
Why Sensor Size Matters
The same focal length can produce different FOV on different active sensor or image sizes. Use actual sensor dimensions where possible.
Field of View vs Coverage Width
FOV is an angle. Coverage width is the physical scene width at a selected distance.
Lens Distortion
Simple pinhole geometry can differ from real wide-angle lenses, especially near image edges.
Example CCTV FOV Calculation
A 5.6 mm x 3.15 mm sensor with a 2.8 mm lens at 10 m gives about 90.0° horizontal FOV and roughly 20.0 m wide coverage.
FAQ
What field of view does a 2.8mm CCTV lens have?
It depends on sensor/image size and lens design. In the default 5.6 mm wide sensor example, 2.8 mm is about 90° horizontally.
Is a 2.8mm lens always 90 degrees?
No. A 2.8 mm lens is not universally 90° because sensor size and lens implementation affect FOV.
Does sensor size affect CCTV field of view?
Yes. Larger active sensor dimensions produce a wider FOV for the same focal length.
What is horizontal FOV?
Horizontal FOV is the angular width of the camera view from left to right.
What is vertical FOV?
Vertical FOV is the angular height of the camera view from top to bottom.
How do I calculate camera coverage at 10 meters?
Calculate FOV from sensor size and focal length, then project that angle at 10 m distance.
Why does the manufacturer's FOV differ from a calculator?
Distortion, cropping, stabilization, focus distance, lens design, and processing can change usable view.