Angle-of-view (AOV)
The breadth of image seen by a camera
Angle-of-view (AOV) is measured in degrees of arc and describes the breadth of image, or field-of-view, that is seen by the camera. AOV varies according to the image format and the focal length of the lens, with small formats and short lenses giving the widest angles. A wide angle captures more of a scene than a narrow angle. Subjects outside the AOV of the lens when the picture is taken are not recorded in the photograph.
N.B. the shorter the focal length the wider the AOV.
The tables below show the AOV of various focal length lenses for full-frame and half-frame 35mm cameras featured on this website.
Full-frame
Lens - AOV
50mm - 46.8°;
48mm - 48.5°;
45mm - 51.4°;
40mm - 56.8°;
38mm - 59.3°;
Half-frame
Lens - AOV
32mm - 50°;
30mm - 53°;