Safe Shutter Speed Calculator

Calculate safe shutter speeds to avoid camera shake for any focal length and camera sensor size

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Safe Shutter Speed

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This is the minimum shutter speed to avoid camera shake

Calculation Formula

Safe Shutter Speed = 1 / (Focal Length × Crop Factor)

Where:
Focal Length: The length of your lens in millimeters
Crop Factor: Multiplier based on your camera sensor size

Tips

For best results, use a shutter speed faster than the calculated value. Consider additional stabilization techniques like tripods or image stabilization (IS) features.

Safe Shutter Speed Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Safe Shutter Speed Calculator and understand the principles behind camera shake prevention

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your lens's focal length in millimeters (mm).
  2. Select your camera's sensor size from the dropdown menu. This determines your camera's crop factor.
  3. Choose your hand holding stability level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).
  4. Click the "Calculate" button to determine your safe shutter speed.
  5. The calculator will show the minimum shutter speed to avoid camera shake based on your inputs.

Understanding Camera Shake

Camera shake occurs when your camera moves during exposure, typically when using longer focal lengths. This movement blurs your image. The safe shutter speed is determined by the reciprocal of your focal length, adjusted for your camera's crop factor and your hand holding ability.

What is a Crop Factor?

Crop factor (or focal length multiplier) accounts for the difference in image size between formats. Most digital cameras have a crop factor greater than 1 (except full-frame cameras, which have a crop factor of 1). This calculator automatically applies the correct crop factor based on your selected sensor size.

Practical Tips

  • For longer focal lengths (e.g., 200mm), always use a faster shutter speed than recommended.
  • If you can't achieve a fast enough shutter speed, use image stabilization (IS) features on your lens or camera body.
  • Consider using a tripod for maximum stability, especially with longer lenses.
  • Remember that this calculator provides minimum recommendations - using a faster shutter speed will generally yield better results.