Key numbers
- Mount / system: Nikon Z (Full Frame)
- Sensor: Full Frame, 36 × 24mm
- Focal length: 20mm
- Aperture: f/1.8 to f/16
- DoF at 3 m, 20mm, f/1.8: 2.16–4.88 m (≈ 272 cm deep)
- Hyperfocal distance (20mm, f/8): 1.75 m
Depth of field table
Distances are measured from the sensor plane. Each cell shows the near and far limit of acceptable sharpness in metres (∞ = to infinity). Circle of confusion = sensor diagonal / 1500.
| Aperture | Hyperfocal | 1 m | 2 m | 3 m | 5 m | 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| f/1.8 | 7.72 m | 0.89–1.15 | 1.59–2.69 | 2.16–4.88 | 3.04–14.1 | 4.36–∞ |
| f/2 | 6.95 m | 0.88–1.16 | 1.56–2.80 | 2.10–5.25 | 2.91–17.6 | 4.11–∞ |
| f/2.8 | 4.97 m | 0.84–1.25 | 1.43–3.32 | 1.88–7.49 | 2.50–∞ | 3.33–∞ |
| f/4 | 3.49 m | 0.78–1.39 | 1.28–4.63 | 1.62–20.6 | 2.06–∞ | 2.59–∞ |
| f/5.6 | 2.50 m | 0.72–1.65 | 1.12–9.67 | 1.37–∞ | 1.67–∞ | 2.00–∞ |
| f/8 | 1.75 m | 0.64–2.27 | 0.94–∞ | 1.11–∞ | 1.30–∞ | 1.49–∞ |
| f/11 | 1.28 m | 0.57–4.26 | 0.79–∞ | 0.90–∞ | 1.02–∞ | 1.14–∞ |
| f/16 | 0.89 m | 0.48–∞ | 0.62–∞ | 0.69–∞ | 0.76–∞ | 0.82–∞ |
FAQ
What is the depth of field of the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S at f/1.8 and 3 m?
At 20mm, f/1.8 and focus at 3 m, acceptable sharpness runs from 2.16 to 4.88 m — about 272 cm in total.
What is the hyperfocal distance of the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S?
At 20mm and f/8 on a Full Frame sensor the hyperfocal distance is about 1.75 m. Focus there and everything from 0.88 m to infinity is sharp.
How do I get more background blur with the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S?
Open the aperture to f/1.8, move closer to your subject and increase the distance between subject and background. You can check the result in the calculator above.