<p>From the wikipedia entry on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length" rel="nofollow">focal length</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Due to the popularity of the 35 mm standard, camera–lens combinations
  are often described in terms of their 35 mm equivalent focal length,
  that is, the focal length of a lens that would have the same angle of
  view, or field of view, if used on a full-frame 35 mm camera. Use of a
  35 mm-equivalent focal length is particularly common with digital
  cameras, which often use sensors smaller than 35 mm film, and so
  require correspondingly shorter focal lengths to achieve a given angle
  of view, by a factor known as the crop factor.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-04T04:19:43.310Z
good explanation,thanks. I my camera says 4.25-42.5, that means that my wider angle would be 4.25mm? that seems too wide, I am sure I am getting something wrong
user17252
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-04T06:19:26.287Z
Well, yes.  The wide angle on your camera is 4.25mm. But since your sensor is smaller than that of a 35mm camera, this is equivalent to a 30.4mm lens on a 35mm camera.  Alternatively, when your lens is fully zoomed in, it's focal distance is 42.5mm, which is equivalent to 305mm on a 35mm camera.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-04T02:20:28.977Z
2013-03-04T02:20:28.977Z
Jason Conrad
<p>can someone explain this numbers please?, what means equivalent?<br>
Focal Length 4.25-42.5mm, 35mm equivalent 30.4-305mm<br>
thanks for your help</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-04T07:58:38.697Z
This may be better migrating to Photography
Dr Mayhem
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-04T08:06:14.310Z
Here's a relevant question at photo.stackexchange.com about focal length and angle of view: http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/5917/what-is-angle-of-view-in-photography
Saaru Lindestøkke
<video><camcorder>
how do I interpret this number?
user17252
# how do I interpret this number?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-03-03)

can someone explain this numbers please?, what means equivalent?  
Focal Length 4.25-42.5mm, 35mm equivalent 30.4-305mm  
thanks for your help

**Tags:** video, camcorder

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This may be better migrating to Photography  
> **username_2**: Here's a relevant question at photo.stackexchange.com about focal length and angle of view: http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/5917/what-is-angle-of-view-in-photography  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-03-04. Score: 1

From the wikipedia entry on [focal length](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length):

> Due to the popularity of the 35 mm standard, camera–lens combinations
> are often described in terms of their 35 mm equivalent focal length,
> that is, the focal length of a lens that would have the same angle of
> view, or field of view, if used on a full-frame 35 mm camera. Use of a
> 35 mm-equivalent focal length is particularly common with digital
> cameras, which often use sensors smaller than 35 mm film, and so
> require correspondingly shorter focal lengths to achieve a given angle
> of view, by a factor known as the crop factor.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: good explanation,thanks. I my camera says 4.25-42.5, that means that my wider angle would be 4.25mm? that seems too wide, I am sure I am getting something wrong  
> **username_3**: Well, yes.  The wide angle on your camera is 4.25mm. But since your sensor is smaller than that of a 35mm camera, this is equivalent to a 30.4mm lens on a 35mm camera.  Alternatively, when your lens is fully zoomed in, it's focal distance is 42.5mm, which is equivalent to 305mm on a 35mm camera.  

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