Introduction
The Sensor Size Comparison Tool puts every major cinema and mirrorless sensor in a single place with exact dimensions in millimeters, crop factor versus Full Frame, circle of confusion value for DoF calculations, and equivalent focal length multiplier. Select any two sensors to compare side by side and the tool calculates what focal length you need on sensor B to match the field of view of any lens on sensor A. It covers 30+ sensors including ARRI, Sony, RED, Blackmagic, Canon, and Nikon cameras.
What This Tool Calculates
Crop factor = Full Frame diagonal / sensor diagonal = 43.27mm / sqrt(w squared + h squared), following the formula used by manufacturers and the ASC Manual. Circle of confusion = sensor width / 1500 for cinema standards, or sensor width / 3000 for strict 4K large-format delivery. Equivalent focal length on sensor B to match sensor A: EFL_B = FL_A times (CF_B / CF_A). Example: a 50mm on a Full Frame ALEXA Mini LF (CF 1.18) matches 50 times (1.52 / 1.18) = 64.4mm on the ALEXA 35 (CF 1.52). Use the nearest available prime: a 65mm covers this match with a minor camera position adjustment.
The Formula and How It Works
For a streaming drama pairing an ARRI ALEXA 35 (Super 35, 27.99mm, CF 1.52) with a Sony Venice (Full Frame, 36mm, CF 1.0), the tool confirmed the ALEXA 35 needs a 76mm prime to match the Venice's 50mm. The camera department stocked a 75mm prime and noted a slight DoF increase on the B-camera. For a wildlife documentary, comparing a Sony FX6 (Super 35) with a GoPro HERO 12 (1/1.9-inch sensor, CF 6.17) confirmed the cameras were intentionally incompatible — ideal for extreme environment inserts only. For a commercial mid-campaign camera switch, the tool found the matching focal length between a URSA Mini Pro and ALEXA Mini LF in under 10 seconds.
Real-World Examples
Sensor Dimensions Reference Chart
Full Frame (36mm wide): 36 x 24mm, CF 1.0, CoC 0.024mm. ARRI ALEXA 35: 27.99 x 19.22mm, CF 1.52, CoC 0.019mm. Traditional Super 35: 24.89 x 18.66mm, CF 1.74, CoC 0.017mm. APS-C Sony/Nikon: 23.5 x 15.6mm, CF 1.84, CoC 0.016mm. APS-C Canon: 22.3 x 14.9mm, CF 1.94, CoC 0.015mm. Micro Four Thirds: 17.3 x 13.0mm, CF 2.50, CoC 0.012mm. Super 16mm: 12.52 x 7.41mm, CF 3.45, CoC 0.008mm. 1-inch Sensor: 13.2 x 8.8mm, CF 3.28, CoC 0.009mm.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturers name sensor formats inconsistently. | |
| Always verify actual millimeter dimensions from the camera's tech spec sheet. | |
| When building a two-camera package, match crop factors within 0.2x to keep DoF and perspective consistent enough for inter-cut editing. | |
| For anamorphic work, multiply the sensor width by the squeeze factor before calculating crop factor. | |
| The most common mistake is using a search-engine crop factor rather than the manufacturer's exact dimensions — rounded values produce incorrect focal length matching calculations.. |
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Pro Tips
- Sensor size is the foundation of every lens choice, DoF calculation, and multi-camera matching decision.
- Getting the dimensions right — not the category name, but the actual millimeters — ensures your package cuts together in editorial without visible focal length or DoF mismatches..
Common Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
What sensor does the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF use?
The ALEXA Mini LF uses an ALEV 3 sensor measuring 36.70mm by 25.54mm, making it Full Frame. It is slightly larger than the traditional 36mm by 24mm standard, so use 36.70mm in calculations for accuracy.
How does sensor size affect depth of field?
Larger sensors require longer focal lengths to achieve the same field of view. Longer focal lengths at the same f-stop produce shallower DoF. A Full Frame camera at 50mm f/2 has significantly shallower DoF than a Micro Four Thirds camera at 25mm f/2 even though both produce the same field of view.
What is the difference between Super 35 and APS-C?
They are similar in size but calibrated differently. Traditional Super 35 is approximately 24.89mm wide. APS-C varies by brand: Sony and Nikon use 23.5mm, Canon uses 22.3mm. The difference is small but produces different crop factors and DoF values.
Can I mix Full Frame and Super 35 in the same production?
Yes, and it is common. Match focal lengths using the equivalent focal length formula. Note that even with matching field of view, the Full Frame camera will produce shallower DoF at the same T-stop, which is sometimes desirable for specific shot types.
Start Calculating
Use the calculator above to run your numbers before your next production.
