Free Online Tool · Deutsche Version
Depth of Field
Calculator.
Calculate focus limits, depth of field and hyperfocal distance in real time — with a visual display. For Fujifilm, full frame and every other system.
Camera system / sensor
Focus zone (visual)
Exact values
What is depth of field?
Depth of field (DOF) describes the zone in front of and behind your focus point that still appears acceptably sharp in the image. Everything outside this zone appears blurred: the so-called bokeh.
Whether you're going for a portrait with creamy bokeh or a landscape that's tack-sharp from foreground to horizon — the depth-of-field calculator shows you, down to the second, exactly which settings will get you there.
The four factors of depth of field
Four parameters determine how large or small the focus zone in your image is:
The strongest lever. A wide-open aperture (f/1.2 – f/2.8) → shallow depth of field, strong bokeh. A stopped-down aperture (f/8 – f/16) → deep depth of field, everything sharp.
Longer focal lengths (85 mm, 135 mm) produce less depth of field at the same aperture than shorter ones (24 mm, 35 mm). A telephoto lens at f/5.6 can show more bokeh than a wide-angle at f/1.8.
The closer you are to your subject, the shallower the depth of field. That's why macro photography often has only a few millimeters of focus. Greater distances automatically bring more depth of field.
Full frame has a larger circle of confusion than APS-C — meaning slightly more bokeh at the same settings. The difference is real, but smaller than many people think. Fujifilm APS-C: CoC 0.019 mm · Full frame: CoC 0.029 mm.
Hyperfocal distance: the landscape photographer's secret weapon
The hyperfocal distance is the shortest focus distance at which everything from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity appears sharp. Focus at this distance — and you get maximum depth of field without focusing all the way to infinity.
Example: Fujifilm X-T5, 18 mm, f/8 → hyperfocal distance ≈ 4.5 m. Focus at 4.5 m and everything from 2.25 m to ∞ is sharp — perfect for landscape and architecture photography.
Check the hyperfocal distance directly in the calculator: set the aperture to f/8 or f/11, pick your wide-angle focal length, and read the value in the bottom-right corner.
Depth of field in practice
| Subject | Recommendation | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait (single person) | f/1.4–f/2.8 · 85–135 mm · 1.5–3 m | Sharp face, creamy soft background |
| Portrait (group) | f/4–f/8 · 50–85 mm · 3–8 m | All faces within the focus zone |
| Landscape | f/8–f/11 · wide angle · hyperfocal distance | Everything from foreground to ∞ sharp |
| Street / reportage | f/5.6–f/8 · 28–50 mm | Large focus zone for fast-moving situations |
| Macro | f/8–f/16 · macro lens · 0.2–0.5 m | Maximum sharpness despite shallow DOF |
| Product / still life | f/5.6–f/11 · 50–100 mm | Product sharp, background controlled |
Depth of field on Fujifilm APS-C
Fujifilm users often ask: "Can I get the same bokeh with my X-T5 as on full frame?" The answer: pretty much yes — with the right lens.
The XF 56mm f/1.2 at f/1.2 from 2 m produces only around 3 cm of depth of field — barely less than an 85 mm f/1.4 on full frame. The XF 90mm f/2.0 from 3 m also delivers impressive bokeh.
Use the full-frame equivalent hint in the calculator (it appears automatically when selecting Fujifilm APS-C): it shows you which FF combination produces the same depth of field.
The depth-of-field formula, explained simply
The calculator uses the classic photographic formulas:
- Hyperfocal distance H = f² ÷ (N × c) + f
- Near limit = H × d ÷ (H + d)
- Far limit = H × d ÷ (H − d) [∞ when d ≥ H]
- Depth of field = far limit − near limit
Here f is the focal length in mm, N the f-number, c the circle of confusion (CoC) and d the subject distance in mm. The CoC is derived from sensor size: sensor diagonal ÷ 1500.
Want to understand the principle in more depth? The article (in German) Schärfentiefe verstehen explains all the connections clearly with real-world examples.
Frequently asked questions about the depth-of-field calculator
What is depth of field?
Depth of field is the zone in front of and behind your focus point that still appears acceptably sharp. It's determined by aperture, focal length, subject distance and sensor size — the calculator combines all four to give you an exact result.
How do you calculate depth of field?
Via the hyperfocal-distance formula: H = f² ÷ (N × CoC). From that you get the near limit (H × d) ÷ (H + d) and the far limit (H × d) ÷ (H − d), where d is the subject distance. The calculator does this automatically — you just enter focal length, aperture and distance.
Which aperture should I use for portraits with bokeh?
For creamy bokeh in portraits: f/1.4–f/2.8 with a focal length of 50–135 mm and a subject distance of 1.5–4 m. On Fujifilm APS-C, the XF 56mm f/1.2 at f/1.2 from 2 m produces only about 3 cm of depth of field — maximum bokeh. Tip: the focus zone should cover the face, but not necessarily the ears and shoulders.
What is the hyperfocal distance and how do I use it?
The hyperfocal distance is the distance beyond which everything is sharp all the way to infinity — starting from half the hyperfocal distance. Focus at this value (instead of at infinity) and you get maximum sharpness in the image. Ideal for landscape, architecture and street photography. The calculator always displays the hyperfocal distance in the bottom-right corner.
Why does Fujifilm APS-C give a different value than full frame?
The circle of confusion (CoC) depends on sensor size. Fujifilm APS-C: CoC = 0.019 mm · full frame: CoC = 0.029 mm. The same focal length and aperture produce slightly less bokeh on APS-C — the smaller sensor resolves the blur point more finely. Select the matching system in the calculator for accurate values.
How much depth of field do I need for group photos?
For a row of people at the same distance, f/4–f/5.6 is usually plenty. For staggered rows or large groups (2–3 m of depth), f/8 with an appropriate distance is recommended. Test it in the calculator: enter the distance to the first person and check whether the far focus limit still covers the last row.
Can I use the calculator for video?
Yes, the underlying formulas apply equally to photo and video. Keep in mind, though, that for film the CoC value is sometimes calculated differently (for example for 4K on certain screens). For everyday work using the standard DOF rules, the calculator works well for video too.
Fundamentals Workshop Stuttgart
Experience depth of field live — on your own camera.
A calculator is great — but truly understanding depth of field means experiencing it live. In the Fundamentals Workshop you'll photograph aperture, depth of field and bokeh not in theory, but outdoors in Stuttgart — with real subjects and direct feedback. 7 hours of hands-on practice, every camera system welcome.
Go to the Fundamentals Workshop →