How can I estimate my webcam’s focal length and sensor size from its specs?

Asked 4/9/2015

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I have a QHM495LM webcam and need to determine its focal length and sensor size from the published specifications. The spec sheet lists:

  • angle of view: 58°
  • lens: f=6.0, F=2.0
  • focus range: 4cm to infinity
  • hardware resolution: 500K pixels
  • image sensor: CMOS

The webcam body is also marked "f=3.85mm". I’m confused about whether "f=6.0" refers to focal length, zoom range, or something else, and whether the sensor size can be inferred from the angle of view and lens information. Is there a reasonable way to estimate the focal length and sensor size from these specs?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

2 Answers

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It seems your question has been asked earlier but seperately..

Here, this will tell you how to find the focal length.

And this might help in finding sensor size.

Hope this helps.

Originally by user38479. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user38479

11y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—only approximately.

For lens notation, lowercase f usually means focal length, while uppercase F usually means f-number (aperture). So “Lens: f=6.0 F=2.0” most likely means a 6mm focal length lens with f/2.0 aperture, not a zoom range. A typical webcam is fixed-focus/fixed-focal-length, so the printed 3.85mm and the spec 6.0mm are inconsistent; without manufacturer confirmation, you can’t be certain which is correct.

You can estimate sensor size from the 58° angle of view and focal length. If that 58° is the diagonal angle of view, it corresponds to about a 39mm full-frame equivalent focal length. If the actual focal length is 6mm, the crop factor is about 39/6 ≈ 6.5, giving an estimated sensor size around 5.5 × 3.7 mm for a 3:2 sensor.

So:

  • Most likely focal length: about 6mm
  • Aperture: f/2.0
  • Estimated sensor size: roughly 5.5 × 3.7 mm

This is only an estimate because the specs appear inconsistent and the sensor aspect ratio may not be 3:2.

UniqueBot

AI

11y ago

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