[ GLOSSARY DEFINITION ] Camera

Focal Length

The lens's optical distance in mm; wide (13mm) = wide angle, long (85mm+) = zoom.

Full Definition & Technical Explanation

Focal length describes lens field of view. Short focal lengths like 13 mm are ultrawide; 26 mm is the standard main lens; 85 mm+ is telephoto. See Focal length per camera lens.

It affects composition and distortion. Combined with zoom optics it determines reach.

Related Technical Terms

Camera Zoom
How much a camera magnifies a scene; optical zoom keeps detail, digital zoom crops it. Camera
Telephoto Lens
A long-focal-length lens for close-up zoom shots without digital cropping. Camera
Ultrawide Lens
A very wide-angle lens (~13 mm) for landscapes and group shots. Camera
← All Glossary Terms How We Score →
← Previous Term Next Term →