Web application to calculate horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV)

Tools, Addons & Guides
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I have created a web application that will compute the horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV) for DJI drones given the diagonal FOV provided in the DJI specifications. This information may be of interest to those using drones to perform mapping services. In addition to the horizontal and vertical FOVs, the following items are also computed and provided (based on the desired height of the drone, desired overlaps, and time between photos):

  • Equivalent 16x9 video FOVs
  • Horizontal and vertical coverage
  • Front and side overlap
  • Horizontal distance between photos (parallel flight path distance)
  • Vertical distance between photos (capture interval)
  • Required speed

Most, if not all mapping software will already compute these values. So, this data is probably most useful to those who might want to experiment manually with this data or those who simply want to confirm information provided elsewhere.

Details are also provided on how to calculate both the horizontal and vertical FOVs which is not as obvious as some may think.

I do not perform any mapping functions myself and therefore have no direct experience with mapping. If there are any comments, questions, or suggestions, I am open to hearing them.

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I find the tool very useful for generating overlay images to use in Google Earth Pro.
Your options list for drones includes some specific FOV values. If the FOV were included in the description, it would make it easier to find a drone to use when mine isn’t listed.
An option for manually entering a specific FOV would be nice. For example, the thermal camera on a Matrice M30T has a FOV of 61 degrees.

Keep up the good work. I use many of your utilities quite frequently.

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I have added the specs for the Matrice 30 Thermal. It looks like it has an aspect ratio of 5x4. If there are any others you wish added, please let me know.

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That was quick! I used the data this morning to plan a flight for this evening.
Thanks.

5

Yes, it is easy to add additional camera specifications.

6

Excuse me! I’m trying to understand the FOV to do vertical video missions.

I know about the extension for Chrome Litchi Virtual Mission, set my Custom FOV for Mini 3 Pro = 82 as DJI says.

I turned on the drone, opened the DJ Fly App, changed the camera position, forced DJ Fly to close, opened Litchi Pilot and the camera maintained its position.
It seems to work, I’ll test it outside soon.

But how about the vertical FOV?

I also have a DJI Air 2s but the main reason I bought the DJI Mini 3 Pro is the possibility of recording vertical video using missions for real state business.

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If you looked at the web application that is referenced in the first post, you’ll see both horizontal and vertical FOV.
If you are still confused about that or something else, be more specific with your question.

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Yes, I still confused.

Like I said: I turned on the Mini 3 Pro, opened the DJ Fly App, changed the camera position, forced DJ Fly to close, opened Litchi Pilot and the camera maintained its position. It seems to work, I’ll test it outside soon.

But how about the FOV on Google Earth or extension Chrome Litchi Virtual Mission to plan vertical missions?
And how “interpolate” will work with vertical camera position?

I want to frame the shot in Google Earth first and run the mission.

Thanks in advance!!

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Your question is not clear. The FOV defines the viewing extent based on the distance from the camera to the object being viewed. A fixed focal length camera has one field of view that is most often provided as the diagonal viewing angle. From that viewing angle and the aspect ratio of the camera sensor, it is possible to compute both the corresponding vertical and horizontal fields of view. Whether the camera is oriented in landscape or portrait mode does not change the above calculations. Most often, when a camera is oriented in landscape mode, the horizontal FOV is larger than the vertical FOV. Obviously, when the camera is put into portrait mode, the horizontal and vertical values are flipped/swapped.

Interpolation is independent of the camera’s orientation.

I am not aware of a way in Google Earth Pro to limit the view to a fixed aspect ratio. Therefor, it would be difficult to frame the Google Earth Pro view to match that of a camera. You can select the viewing size in Google Earth. Perhaps you can find one that matches the aspect ratio of your drone’s camera. Edit: you mentioned video. Video is usually captured in a 16x9 aspect ratio. While you can set Google Earth’s view to be 16x9, it cannot be set to 9x16 (vertically oriented).

Keep in mind that the advertised FOV values correspond to the entire sensor area which is typically used when capturing photos. When your drone is taking video, the vertical (shorter dimension) is cropped to fit a 16x9 aspect ratio.

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