Handheld Shutter

The slowest shutter speed you can hand-hold without camera shake, from your focal length and how many stops of stabilization you have.

Slowest handheld shutter — —

Without stabilization (reciprocal rule): —
Conservative (1 stop of margin): —

Focal length mm Stabilization stops

Stabilization is the CIPA rating your body or lens advertises — IBIS, optical IS, or the combined figure when both work together. Enter 0 for an unstabilized setup. CIPA numbers are lab best-cases; most people get 1–2 stops less in the field.

Sensor

Rule strictness

Divisor — 1 classic 1/focal · 2 for high-resolution sensors · 3 strictest

The 1/focal rule dates from 35mm film, where grain hid small shake. A 45MP sensor resolves shake the film rule tolerated, so many photographers halve the time.