Which focal length? Short answers with numbers
The lens questions people ask most, answered for full frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds. Each page gives the answer first, then the numbers, the trade-offs and a link to compare the frames over a photo.
Focal length by subject
- Best focal length for portraitsFor portraits, 85 mm on full frame is the classic: flattering faces and a simple background. On APS-C, 56 mm frames about the same, and on Micro Four Thirds, 42.5 mm.
- Best focal length for street photographyFor street photography, 35 mm on full frame is the most common choice. 28 mm is wider for crowds and narrow streets, and 50 mm keeps more distance. On APS-C, 23 mm frames like 35 mm, and on Micro Four Thirds, 17 mm.
- Best focal length for landscape photographyFor landscapes, 24 mm on full frame is the most used wide focal length, 16 mm suits dramatic foregrounds, and 70 mm or longer picks out distant hills and layers. On APS-C, 16 mm frames like 24 mm, and on Micro Four Thirds, 12 mm.
- Best focal length for travel photographyFor travel, a 24-70 or 24-105 mm zoom on full frame covers most trips. If you carry one prime, 35 mm is the most versatile: 23 mm on APS-C, 17 mm on Micro Four Thirds.
- Best focal length for interiors and real estateFor interiors and real estate, 16 to 24 mm on full frame shows a whole room without the stretched look of anything wider. On APS-C, that's about 10 mm to 16 mm, and on Micro Four Thirds, 8 mm to 12 mm.
- Best focal length for sports and wildlifeFor sports and wildlife, start at 300 to 400 mm on full frame; small birds need 600 mm. A smaller sensor helps: a 400 mm lens on APS-C frames like 600 mm, and a 300 mm lens on Micro Four Thirds like 600 mm.
Compare focal lengths
- 24 mm vs 35 mm24 mm is wider and suits landscapes, interiors and big scenes up close. 35 mm is tighter and more natural, and suits streets, travel and people in their surroundings.
- 28 mm vs 35 mm28 mm is a little wider and suits tight streets, crowds and small rooms. 35 mm is a little tighter and suits people, travel and everyday photos, with less stretching at the edges.
- 35 mm vs 50 mm35 mm is wider and suits streets, travel and rooms. 50 mm is tighter and suits portraits and details.
- 50 mm vs 85 mm50 mm is the more flexible lens: half-body and full-body portraits, small rooms and everyday photos. 85 mm is the classic portrait lens: head and shoulders, flattering faces and a simple background.
- 85 mm vs 135 mm85 mm is the all-round portrait lens and works indoors and out. 135 mm is tighter, needs more room, and gives the simplest background for headshots and outdoor portraits.
To see any of these focal lengths live, Prospekt (Lens Simulator: Prospekt on the App Store) turns your iPhone into a viewfinder for your camera body: pick the body and a focal length from 14 to 300 mm, point the phone, and the screen frames what that lens would. iPhone app, $3.99 once, no subscription.