📸 Shutter Speed Calculator
Estimate the slowest shutter speed you can safely hand-hold without introducing camera shake blur, based on your lens and stabilization.
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What This Calculator Does
This tool estimates the slowest shutter speed you can use handheld before camera shake starts to visibly blur your photos. It applies the classic reciprocal rule and adjusts for optical or in-body image stabilization if your gear has it.
The Formula
The reciprocal rule states your shutter speed should be at least 1 / (35mm-equivalent focal length) of a second — for example, a 50mm lens on a full-frame body suggests 1/50s or faster. Each stop of image stabilization roughly doubles the amount of time you can safely expose, so the base shutter speed is divided by 2 raised to the number of stabilization stops.
A Few Notes
- This is a general guideline, not a guarantee — steady hands, subject movement, and shooting technique all affect real-world sharpness.
- Fast-moving subjects may need a much quicker shutter speed regardless of camera shake.
- Provided for general photography planning and educational purposes.
Last reviewed August 2026