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MACHINE VISION LENS SELECTION TOOL

Machine Vision Lens Selection Calculator

Use this manual calculator to estimate sensor size, field of view, single-pixel accuracy, magnification, working distance, focal length and viewing angle for early machine vision lens screening. The result is a practical first pass for engineers preparing a lens, lighting and camera RFQ, not a final lens approval.

InputsCamera, sensor, target, WD and focal dataOutputsFOV, magnification, angle and lens classLimitsFinal selection requires datasheet and sample test

Manual machine vision lens selection inputs

Machine vision lens calculator diagram showing camera, lens, field of view, working distance and target dimensions

Please enter as many parameters as possible. The system automatically derives missing first-order values; calculated values are approximate references.

Build RFQ brief
Calculated result

Machine vision lens screening values

Results recalculate automatically whenever any parameter changes. Use Fill derived values only when you want to write calculated values back into empty fields.

Sensor size8.45 x 7.07mm
Target field120 x 100mm
Magnification0.0704x
Focal length21.1mm
Working distance300mm
Object sampling0.0490 / 0.0488mm/px
Viewing angle22.6 / 19.0deg H/V
Image circle11.01mm
Thin-lens check19.73mm

Candidate lens class comparison

Lens classFocalFOV at WDMagnificationRelease check
10 mm fixed focal lens class10 mm253.4 x 212.0 mm0.0333xVerify MOD, distortion, image circle, mount and extension ring.
12 mm fixed focal lens class12 mm211.1 x 176.6 mm0.0400xVerify MOD, distortion, image circle, mount and extension ring.
16 mm fixed focal lens class16 mm158.4 x 132.5 mm0.0533xVerify MOD, distortion, image circle, mount and extension ring.
Closest standard class20 mm126.7 x 106.0 mm0.0667xVerify MOD, distortion, image circle, mount and extension ring.
25 mm fixed focal lens class25 mm101.3 x 84.8 mm0.0833xVerify MOD, distortion, image circle, mount and extension ring.

Engineering validation notes

  • The entered values are sufficient for a first-order screening estimate. Confirm final selection with real samples and the selected lens datasheet.
  • Do not treat this calculator as inventory, price, delivery, certification or final performance confirmation.
ENGINEERING SELECTION MATCH

Optical Screening and Remaining Selection Inputs

Target FOV: 120 × 100 mm
Candidate Lens Class
20 mm fixed focal lens class Industrial Lens

Matching optical circle 11.0 mm with nominal WD ~300 mm. Confirm coverage, resolution and aberrations against the selected lens datasheet.

Explore Industrial Lenses →
Lighting Geometry to Evaluate
Surface, defect and motion determine the light

Field size alone cannot select a light. Share material, surface finish, target feature, exposure and scan mode to compare directional, diffuse, backlight or line-light configurations.

Compare Lighting Selection Criteria →
Selection method

How the manual machine vision lens calculator works

  1. Sensor size

    Sensor width and height come from manual sensor dimensions or from resolution multiplied by pixel size.

  2. Field of view

    Target width and height define the object area that must fit inside the image. Pixel accuracy can also derive FOV from resolution.

  3. Magnification

    Magnification is estimated as sensor size divided by object field. When both axes are known, the lower ratio is used to keep the full target inside the image.

  4. Focal screening

    The first-order focal estimate uses focal length near working distance multiplied by magnification. Close-range or high-magnification setups need datasheet verification.

Next action

Request Sample Loan Evaluation, 3D CAD & Optical Testing

Discuss sample testing, evaluation unit availability and available CAD drawings with LuxMV. Send your FOV and WD calculation directly to our optical engineering team.

Engineering formulas and sensor formats

Use the formulas as screening evidence, not final approval

These references explain what the calculator is doing without turning the lower page into a dense manual. Final selection still depends on lens datasheet limits, lighting clearance, sample images, and installation geometry.

Optical magnificationbeta = sensor dimension / field of view

Checks whether the target area fits the sensor at the required image scale.

Focal length estimatef approx WD x sensor size / FOV

Screens a practical focal class before checking the lens datasheet.

Pixel accuracyaccuracy = FOV / camera pixels

Turns camera resolution into the physical size represented by one pixel.

Working distance checkWD approx f x (1 + 1 / beta)

Flags close-range setups that need MOD, distortion, and extension-ring review.

Sensor reference

Standard industrial sensor formats

FormatWHCircle
1/3 inch4.803.606.00
1/2.5 inch5.704.287.13
1/2 inch6.404.808.00
1/1.8 inch7.185.328.93
2/3 inch8.806.6011.00
1 inch12.809.6016.00
1.1 inch14.1910.3817.60
4/3 inch17.3013.0021.64
APS-C22.3014.9026.80

Machine Vision Lens Selection FAQ

What does a machine vision FOV and lens selection calculator do?

A machine vision FOV calculator converts camera sensor size, resolution, target field of view, working distance and focal length into first-order values such as magnification, viewing angle and candidate focal classes. It enables fast optical screening before detailed ray tracing or sample testing.

Which manual values are most important for selecting a machine vision lens?

Start with target width and height, required pixel accuracy, camera resolution, pixel size or sensor size, and the allowed working distance. Those values determine whether a lens focal length can cover the required field of view at the planned installation distance.

Can this calculator replace a lens datasheet or sample test?

No. The result is a first-order estimate and does not confirm distortion, depth of field, modulation transfer, minimum object distance, extension-ring image quality, interface fit, lighting clearance or production repeatability.

How can I request sample evaluation units or 3D CAD models after calculating?

Click "Request Optical Review & CAD" to carry your computed parameters directly to the engineering inquiry form. Discuss sample testing, evaluation unit availability and available drawings for the selected model with LuxMV before committing to production.

How should I use the result for an RFQ?

Send the calculated FOV, working distance, candidate focal class, camera sensor data, target feature, sample images, speed, exposure and mounting limits. LuxMV can then discuss lens, light, wavelength, controller and fixture constraints together.