What Is An Anamorphic Lens? Your Guide to Cinematic Filmmaking

1. What Is an Anamorphic Lens?

Do you ever notice how visually appealing the latest movies are at your local theater? The explanation behind that yummy cinematic footage you love most about Hollywood blockbusters points to one primary culprit — anamorphic lenses.

An anamorphic lens squeezes the image onto film or digital camera sensors, allowing for wider aspect ratios than would otherwise be possible with traditional lenses. This results in more cinematic images with shallower depth-of-field and an oval bokeh effect, making them ideal for filmmakers who want to create a high-end, cinematic look without having to crop their shots.

2. What Is 'Aspect Ratio'?

Aspect ratios might sound like technical jargon, but they’re really just about the shape of your frame: how wide it is compared to its height. It’s expressed as a ratio, like 16:9 (your standard widescreen TV) or 2.39:1 (the ultra-wide look of a blockbuster movie). For filmmakers, aspect ratios help set the tone of their story, and anamorphic lenses are the secret sauce for achieving those dramatic cinematic proportions.

When you use a regular spherical lens to shoot a widescreen format like 2.39:1, you’re essentially cropping the top and bottom of your image, wasting part of the frame. Anamorphic lenses solve this by squeezing the image horizontally, so every pixel on your sensor gets used to capture the full frame. This means sharper details, less noise, and that ultra-wide, immersive feel that makes your footage look straight out of the movies.

Even as digital sensors and formats like Super 35 have evolved to offer more horizontal room, anamorphic lenses still shine when you need those wider, more cinematic aspect ratios. They make the most of your frame, delivering an image that’s wider and richer in detail. Whether you’re creating sweeping landscapes or close-ups with that dreamy, oval bokeh, anamorphic lenses turn your mobile or camera setup into a true storytelling tool.

3. Anamorphic vs. Spherical Lenses

When it comes to lenses, there are two main camps: spherical and anamorphic. Spherical lenses are the standard go-to, delivering images that match the sensor’s aspect ratio with no funny business — what you see is what you get. Anamorphic lenses, however, play with the image a bit more creatively, squishing the frame along its longer dimension (usually by 2x). This squeeze means you’ll need to stretch things back out in post-production or when projecting, but the payoff is that signature cinematic look — wider frames, dramatic lens flares, and a vibe that screams big screen. Perfect for when you want your footage to feel like it belongs in a theater, not just your camera roll.

Anamorphic lenses aren’t just about a wider frame — they’re a vibe (lol, but I'm serious). Shooting with these lenses gives filmmakers that iconic 2.39:1 aspect ratio, offering a filmic field of view that feels engaging and larger-than-life. By compressing the image horizontally, anamorphic lenses let you capture those ultra-wide shots even with standard-sized sensors while delivering gorgeous oval bokeh and fewer pesky aberrations than their spherical counterparts. It’s no wonder these lenses are a favorite for creating epic, unforgettable visuals.

On the flip side, spherical lenses are all about classic reliability. They deliver a clean, distortion-free image that is perfect for capturing shallow depth of field with prime lenses or versatility with zooms. But while zooms bring flexibility, they don’t quite match the creamy depth primes can achieve. And sure, spherical lenses may lean into round bokeh and be a little more prone to chromatic aberration, but they’re still a solid, fuss-free choice for filmmakers who want precision without the post-production stretch. Think of them as the dependable workhorse to Anamorphic’s artsy showstopper.

4. How to Get the Anamorphic Look on Your Phone

Achieving the anamorphic look on your phone is completely doable. Modern smartphones, including the latest models from iPhone and Samsung, are incredibly powerful and capable of producing high-quality footage. With the introduction of features like Apple's ProRes Log footage and increased resolution, there's never been a better time to create short films with your phone.

To elevate your footage even further, get an attachable mobile lens. Moment's Anamorphic lenses are among the most popular and best-selling add-on camera lenses for various smartphone models, spanning multiple generations. We offer the M-Series lens for phones released before 2022, and the T-Series lenses for models from 2023 onwards. Our lenses come in both 1.33x and 1.55x aspect ratios, available in Blue or Gold flare options.

Discover what customers have to say about our lenses and the extensive positive reviews we've garnered over the 10+ years since the launch of our most notable camera accessory.

5. Choosing the Right Anamorphic Lens for Your Phone

If you’re looking to add a cinematic touch to your mobile filmmaking, Moment’s anamorphic lenses are here to deliver. With two options — 1.33x and 1.55x — these lenses give you that classic widescreen look, complete with gorgeous flares and an immersive field of view. But how do you choose the right asepct ratio is right for your style?

1.33x Anamorphic Lens: This is the all-rounder for filmmakers who want a subtle, cinematic feel while keeping things straightforward. It gently compresses your footage horizontally, preserving your original aspect ratio while adding a wider field of view. You’ll get the letterbox effect that looks like a movie screen, perfect for storytelling without over-the-top distortion. While the footage may appear “squished” on a regular monitor, a quick stretch in post-production restores the beautiful widescreen format.

1.55x Anamorphic Lens: If you’re chasing a bolder, more dramatic look, this lens is your pick. It creates an even wider frame, letting you capture sweeping shots with a distinctive cinemascope vibe. Because it compresses more of the image, you might notice a touch of barrel distortion and a “pillar-boxed” effect on standard monitors. But for filmmakers aiming to craft a stylized, artistic aesthetic, the 1.55x delivers in spades.

In short, go for the 1.33x if you want that classic, balanced anamorphic look. Choose the 1.55x if you’re after a more exaggerated, artistic frame that commands attention. Either way, both lenses will elevate your mobile videos to something worthy of the big screen.

6. Can You Shoot Image Stills with Anamorphic Lenses?

Definitely! Using the Moment Anamorphic lens for still shots is really fun and pretty inspiring, but it comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you're working with that wide aspect ratio. It gives your photos a unique look that's different from your usual 'wide' shots in photography, which is super cool for creativity but can be a bit limited in other ways.

To get a feel for what still images with an Anamorphic lens look like, check out this great article by our good friend and fellow filmmaker, Steven Schultz. Or, you can read about how to photograph Anamorphic stills with the mobile lens from our friend and fellow iPhone creator, Robin.