Sensor Diagonal
Calculator

Inputs

Sensor diagonal
43.266615

Results

Sensor diagonal
43.266615

Media and photography results

Sensor diagonal43.266615

formula-map diagram

Sensor diagonal
43.266615

Media and photography relationship

Formula

d = √(w² + h²)

= 43.266615305568

Note

This result uses the values you entered and a simplified planning equation; verify quantities and local requirements before purchasing or building.

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Frequently asked questions

How is a camera sensor's diagonal measurement calculated?+

Using the Pythagorean theorem, diagonal = √(width² + height²), based on the sensor's physical width and height in millimeters. A full-frame sensor (36mm x 24mm) has a diagonal of about 43.3mm.

Why does sensor diagonal matter for crop factor calculations?+

Crop factor is defined as the ratio between the full-frame diagonal (43.3mm) and a given sensor's diagonal, so knowing a sensor's exact diagonal measurement is the direct input needed to calculate how its field of view compares to full-frame at the same focal length.

Why do sensor sizes get named things like 'APS-C' or '1-inch' that don't match their actual dimensions?+

Sensor size naming largely comes from historical film formats (like APS-C, based on the old Advanced Photo System) or from vacuum tube television camera conventions (like '1-inch' or '2/3-inch' type sensors, where the name refers to the outer tube diameter, not the actual sensing area), so these names are legacy conventions rather than literal measurements of the sensor itself.

Does a larger sensor diagonal always mean better image quality?+

Generally larger sensors gather more light per pixel (assuming similar megapixel counts) and produce better dynamic range and low-light performance, but sensor technology, processing, and lens quality also matter significantly, so diagonal size is a strong influence on image quality potential but not the sole determining factor.

How is sensor diagonal used when calculating the circle of confusion for depth of field?+

The circle of confusion used in depth-of-field and hyperfocal distance formulas is typically derived as a fraction of the sensor's diagonal measurement, so a smaller sensor diagonal produces a smaller circle of confusion value, which is one of the underlying reasons smaller sensors naturally exhibit deeper depth of field at equivalent framing.