Focal lengths in lenses! With real-life comparisons taken by us

What exactly is a focal length? Very basically, a focal length is how zoomed in a lens is. The focal length is the distance (measured in millimetres) from the center of a lens to the sensor of the camera. When you look at a lens, you’ll always see some numbers of them and that’s the focal length of that specific lens!

Small number = wider view, shows more of the shot

Big number = zoomed in, shows less of the shot but you achieve a more zoomed in and closer shot

The smaller the number, the wider the angle. The larger the number, the more zoomed in of an angle you get!

Now that this is out of the way, let’s get into the comparisons of focal lengths (with photos taken by us!). 

*Note, all photos were shot with the Sony A7IV camera body, atop of a ballhead tripod. The signboard shown in the photos is about 600m (or a 10 minutes walk for perspective!) from where we shot from.

Shot with Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM

Shot with Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Shot with Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Shot with Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Shot with Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Shot with Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Shot with Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Shot with Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Shot with Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Shot with Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Shot with Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Shot with Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Shot with Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Shot with Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS

Shot with FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS + Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter

Wrapping things up!

We hope you've gotten some insight into the difference in zoom lengths! This was a pretty fun experiment for us, and if you'd like to try it out yourself, rent with us today!