How to use the pinhole camera image size calculator
Find the size of the image formed by a pinhole camera from object height and distances. Enter object height, object distance, pinhole to film distance in the fields above; the image height on film, image height are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “pinhole camera image”, “pinhole image height”, “camera obscura size”, “calculate pinhole camera image size”, “find image height on film”.
Formula
Variables
- h — Object height (m)
- p — Object distance (m)
- q — Pinhole to film distance (m)
Worked example
With object height = 2 m, object distance = 10 m, pinhole to film distance = 0.05 m, the calculator gives image height on film ≈ 10 mm; image height ≈ 0.01 m.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pinhole camera image size calculator used for?
Find the size of the image formed by a pinhole camera from object height and distances. It helps with questions such as “pinhole camera image”, “pinhole image height”, “camera obscura size”.
What is the formula for the pinhole camera image size calculation?
Image height on film (mm) = h × q / p × 1000. Image height (m) = [Image height on film] / 1000. Here h is object height (m), p is object distance (m), q is pinhole to film distance (m).
What inputs do I need for the pinhole camera image size calculator?
You need object height in m, object distance in m, pinhole to film distance in m. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the pinhole camera image size calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the pinhole camera image size result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.