90 vs 120 FOV: a wider view with smaller targets
120° adds 30° of horizontal coverage over 90°. At the same image dimensions, the central target is about 58% as tall, or about 42% smaller in height.
See the wider edges and a central target about 58% as tall as the 90° reference.
This is a large camera change, which makes it useful for learning what FOV does. At 120°, the view includes directions that sit outside the 90° camera, while the middle of the range shrinks. The added side boxes give those wider edges something nearby to reveal. Both previews keep the camera in the same place and use the same 16:9 image shape.
By TechCompare · Updated
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Side-by-side specs
| Spec | 90° FOV | 120° FOV |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal FOV | 90° | 120° |
| Vertical FOV at 16:9 | 59° | 89° |
| View width at 20 m (66 ft) forward | 40 m (131 ft) | 69 m (227 ft) |
| Central target height, relative to A | 100% | 58% |
| Additional horizontal angle | Reference | 30° |
| Camera position and target distances | Fixed | Fixed |
How they differ
The 90° camera covers 45° to either side of forward, while the 120° camera covers 60°. Their vertical coverage rounds to 59° and 89° at 16:9. At 20 m (66 ft) forward, view width increases from 40 m (131 ft) to about 69 m (227 ft). That is roughly 73% more width across that particular plane, not 73% more image pixels or a claim about everything visible in a game. The center target height ratio is about 58%, derived from tan(45°) divided by tan(60°). A target’s projected area is a different measurement and would change by the square of its linear scale when it stays fully visible. Changing the FOV keeps straight lines straight in this camera model.
Verdict
The 120° view provides a clear example of extra side coverage with a much smaller central image. Keep the 90° reference if you want to judge the size change, then try intermediate values to narrow the decision. The largest visible difference is not automatically the most useful game setting. Confirm the angle convention and compare the same game camera mode before copying either value.
Inspect 120° FOVWhich should you pick?
Choose 90° FOV
Choose the 90° side when you want the larger image of the center target and are willing to turn the camera to inspect directions beyond its edges. It is a useful baseline for comparing distant details because it leaves them larger within the frame. This does not change the target distance, improve its source texture, or provide a performance score.
Choose 120° FOV
Choose the 120° side when inspecting wide coverage is your priority. The angle adds 15° at each edge relative to 90°, and the nearby outer boxes make that expansion visible. Look back at the center after inspecting the edges. Its smaller image is part of the same change, and should be assessed on your actual screen rather than ignored in a cropped screenshot.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a target at 120° 42% of its size at 90°?
Does 120° FOV bend the straight edges of boxes?
How are the camera figures calculated?
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