f/5
Aperture
4.6
Stops less light than f/1
4.00%
Light vs f/1
1.10 m
DoF: 50 mm at 3 m (FF)
6.7 µm
Airy disk diameter
Depth of field at f/5 (full frame)#
| Focal | at 1 m | at 2 m | at 5 m | at 10 m | Hyperfocal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 1.73 m | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | 1.72 m |
| 24 mm | 54.3 cm | 2.80 m | ∞ | ∞ | 3.86 m |
| 35 mm | 24.0 cm | 1.02 m | 9.64 m | ∞ | 8.20 m |
| 50 mm | 11.4 cm | 47.4 cm | 3.26 m | 18.6 m | 16.7 m |
| 85 mm | 3.8 cm | 15.9 cm | 1.03 m | 4.30 m | 48.3 m |
| 135 mm | 1.4 cm | 6.1 cm | 40.1 cm | 1.63 m | 122 m |
| 200 mm | 0.6 cm | 2.7 cm | 18.0 cm | 73.6 cm | 267 m |
Diffraction at f/5#
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 | 1.1× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 45 MP | 4.39 µm | 1.5× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 61 MP | 3.79 µm | 1.8× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 24 MP | 3.92 µm | 1.7× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 40 MP | 3.04 µm | 2.2× | slight softening |
| Micro Four Thirds 20 MP | 3.34 µm | 2.0× | slight softening |
| 1-inch 20 MP | 2.41 µm | 2.8× | slight softening |
| Smartphone 1/1.3" 50 MP | 1.17 µm | 5.7× | diffraction-limited |
f/5 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/7.5 |
| Canon APS-C (1.6×) | f/8.0 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | f/10.0 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | f/13.5 |
Shutter speed at f/5#
| Light | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | 1/1250 s | 1/5000 s | too bright | too bright |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright, no shadows | 1/320 s | 1/1250 s | 1/5000 s | too bright |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | 1/160 s | 1/640 s | 1/2500 s | too bright |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | 1/40 s | 1/160 s | 1/640 s | 1/2500 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | 1/10 s | 1/40 s | 1/160 s | 1/640 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 0.8 s | 1/5 s | 1/20 s | 1/80 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 6 s | 1.6 s | 0.4 s | 1/10 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | 2 min | 25 s | 6 s | 1.6 s |
When to use f/5#
f/5 is a go-to setting for the sharpest zone of most lenses — groups, travel, street ("f/8 and be there") and landscapes on smaller sensors.
Other apertures#
Frequently asked questions#
Is f/5 a wide aperture?
It is a medium aperture. Smaller numbers mean larger openings.
How much light does f/5 let in compared to f/2.8?
0.31× (-1.7 stops).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources