Does more MP mean a wider view?
- Thread starter MrRodgers
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saltwater
Getting comfortable
The sensor size is a factor and that has nothing to do with MP.
So if i have a 2.8mm 4MP camera and it's sensor is a 1/1.2" it will see wider than a 2.8mm 4MP with a sensor 1/2.8"
The answer is it depends. If you go by the scientific answer, one gives a wider image, but I can't remember which one.
The best approach is to use the manufacturer's horizontal angle spec on each camera. However, even those have been found to be a little off. I don't believe the camera manufacturers are very consistent, so the mm of the lens is really only relative to the same manufacture, and probably only to the same model. And maybe not then. I know someone on here compared fixed lens models to a varifocus and believe they found issues there. Use the spec sheet.
The best approach is to use the manufacturer's horizontal angle spec on each camera. However, even those have been found to be a little off. I don't believe the camera manufacturers are very consistent, so the mm of the lens is really only relative to the same manufacture, and probably only to the same model. And maybe not then. I know someone on here compared fixed lens models to a varifocus and believe they found issues there. Use the spec sheet.
saltwater
Getting comfortable
Yes and MP is not a factor.
For this I refer back to normal photography, where you may have heard of the terms, full-frame and crop sensors. A full-frame sensor is 35mm whereas a crop sensor is smaller. Now if you put a 100mm lens on a full-frame sensor, you get, well 100mm scene view (I think 35mm or full-frame is the base reference point). Now put that same 100mm lens on a crop sensor (Canon or Nikon or Sony, whatever) you multiply the base lens focal view by a factor of around 1.5 (there are slight differences between brands), so you effectively now have a lens of 150mm (100 x 1.5), that is, a zoomed in view.
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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Hi @MrRodgers
Look for the specifications data sheet from the camera model, a good spec sheet will list the H and V FOVs for a given lens.
This makes it easier to help you determine what may work for your setup.
For example:
IAmATeaf
Known around here
Not claiming to be an expert at all but surely the answer to this must be "it depends on ..." ? 
By this I mean on how the optics are mount? I have a 5231-ze "Mp cam and a 5442T-ze 4Mp cam the 4Mp has a slightly wider view which I always thought was due to the distance between the sensor and the optics or am I being simple minded?
By this I mean on how the optics are mount? I have a 5231-ze "Mp cam and a 5442T-ze 4Mp cam the 4Mp has a slightly wider view which I always thought was due to the distance between the sensor and the optics or am I being simple minded?
My old engineering studies made me revisit this question. The reason it is not simple comes down to standardized, normally to 35 mm cameras, focal lengths. Below is a page that shows the formula, and, it does relate directly to the sensor size. But, as others have shown on here, different manufacturers, and even fixed versus varifocus cameras of the same model are different. Hence the recommendations of using the manufacturers stated angle of view.
Anyways, for those so inclined, here is a link to an explanation and foumula, complete with arctan. This calculation is also the basis of the DORI calcs and formula used in the wiki that was discussed on here a few days ago in relation to how far can you identify someone. .
shuttermuse.com
Anyways, for those so inclined, here is a link to an explanation and foumula, complete with arctan. This calculation is also the basis of the DORI calcs and formula used in the wiki that was discussed on here a few days ago in relation to how far can you identify someone. .
How To Calculate Field of View In Photography
Field of view is a lens characteristic that is directly related to the focal length of your lens and determines how much you can see with a lens.
shuttermuse.com