What do field of view and zoom tell us about the image?
Field of view is the area you can see through an optic without changing the direction you are looking. A wide field of view shows more of the surroundings. Manufacturers may state it as an angle or as an image width at a specified distance. Width alone is not enough for a comparison: the reference distance must always be included.
Field of view is the area you can see through an optic without changing the direction you are looking. A wide field of view shows more of the surroundings. Manufacturers may state it as an angle or as an image width at a specified distance. Width alone is not enough for a comparison: the reference distance must always be included.
At higher magnification, the visible area normally becomes smaller. Its actual size also depends on the design of the scope. Two scopes with the same magnification range therefore need not have the same field of view. An image that feels large does not automatically show more of the surroundings either.
For a fair comparison, both magnification and reference distance must match. It also matters how well details remain visible at the edge. A wide field is of limited benefit if the edges are very blurred or shaded. Weitschuss states reference distances in metres / yards; the actual width of the visible area remains metric.