f/1.6
Aperture
1.4
Stops less light than f/1
39.06%
Light vs f/1
34.1 cm
DoF: 50 mm at 3 m (FF)
2.1 µm
Airy disk diameter
Depth of field at f/1.6 (full frame)#
| Focal | at 1 m | at 2 m | at 5 m | at 10 m | Hyperfocal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 38.2 cm | 1.73 m | 73.8 m | ∞ | 5.35 m |
| 24 mm | 16.4 cm | 67.7 cm | 5.01 m | 53.8 m | 12.0 m |
| 35 mm | 7.6 cm | 31.0 cm | 2.02 m | 9.21 m | 25.6 m |
| 50 mm | 3.6 cm | 15.0 cm | 95.9 cm | 3.97 m | 52.1 m |
| 85 mm | 1.2 cm | 5.1 cm | 32.7 cm | 1.32 m | 151 m |
| 135 mm | 0.5 cm | 2.0 cm | 12.8 cm | 52.0 cm | 380 m |
| 200 mm | 0.2 cm | 0.9 cm | 5.8 cm | 23.5 cm | 834 m |
Diffraction at f/1.6#
Diffraction softening becomes visible at 100% once the Airy disk spans more than about two pixels. It is a gradual effect, not a cliff.
| Sensor | Pixel pitch | Airy disk / pixel | Pixel-level sharpness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame 24 MP | 6.00 µm | 0.4× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 45 MP | 4.39 µm | 0.5× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 61 MP | 3.79 µm | 0.6× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 24 MP | 3.92 µm | 0.5× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 40 MP | 3.04 µm | 0.7× | no visible loss |
| Micro Four Thirds 20 MP | 3.34 µm | 0.6× | no visible loss |
| 1-inch 20 MP | 2.41 µm | 0.9× | no visible loss |
| Smartphone 1/1.3" 50 MP | 1.17 µm | 1.8× | no visible loss |
f/1.6 on smaller sensors equals…#
Exposure (brightness) is the same at a given f-number on every format; equivalence describes depth of field and total light.
| Used on | Full-frame equivalent depth of field |
|---|---|
| APS-C (1.5×) | f/2.4 |
| Canon APS-C (1.6×) | f/2.6 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | f/3.2 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | f/4.3 |
Shutter speed at f/1.6#
| Light | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | too bright | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright, no shadows | 1/3200 s | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | 1/1600 s | 1/6400 s | too bright | too bright |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | 1/400 s | 1/1600 s | 1/6400 s | too bright |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | 1/100 s | 1/400 s | 1/1600 s | 1/6400 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 1/13 s | 1/50 s | 1/200 s | 1/800 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 0.6 s | 1/6 s | 1/25 s | 1/100 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | 10 s | 2.5 s | 0.6 s | 1/6 s |
When to use f/1.6#
f/1.6 is a go-to setting for low light, shallow depth of field, creamy bokeh and subject isolation — the classic portrait and night-street aperture.
Other apertures#
Frequently asked questions#
Is f/1.6 a wide aperture?
Yes — f/1.6 is a wide (fast) aperture that lets in lots of light. Smaller numbers mean larger openings.
How much light does f/1.6 let in compared to f/2.8?
3.06× (+1.6 stops).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources