f/8
Aperture
6.0
Stops less light than f/1
1.56%
Light vs f/1
1.85 m
DoF: 50 mm at 3 m (FF)
10.7 µm
Airy disk diameter
Depth of field at f/8 (full frame)#
| Focal | at 1 m | at 2 m | at 5 m | at 10 m | Hyperfocal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 12.4 m | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | 1.08 m |
| 24 mm | 97.4 cm | 10.2 m | ∞ | ∞ | 2.42 m |
| 35 mm | 39.2 cm | 1.81 m | 181 m | ∞ | 5.14 m |
| 50 mm | 18.4 cm | 77.6 cm | 6.14 m | 218 m | 10.5 m |
| 85 mm | 6.1 cm | 25.5 cm | 1.68 m | 7.39 m | 30.2 m |
| 135 mm | 2.3 cm | 9.8 cm | 64.3 cm | 2.64 m | 76.1 m |
| 200 mm | 1.0 cm | 4.3 cm | 28.8 cm | 1.18 m | 167 m |
Diffraction at f/8#
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 | 1.8× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 45 MP | 4.39 µm | 2.4× | slight softening |
| Full frame 61 MP | 3.79 µm | 2.8× | slight softening |
| APS-C 24 MP | 3.92 µm | 2.7× | slight softening |
| APS-C 40 MP | 3.04 µm | 3.5× | diffraction-limited |
| Micro Four Thirds 20 MP | 3.34 µm | 3.2× | diffraction-limited |
| 1-inch 20 MP | 2.41 µm | 4.5× | diffraction-limited |
| Smartphone 1/1.3" 50 MP | 1.17 µm | 9.2× | diffraction-limited |
f/8 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/12.0 |
| Canon APS-C (1.6×) | f/12.8 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | f/16.0 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | f/21.6 |
Shutter speed at f/8#
| Light | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | 1/500 s | 1/2000 s | 1/8000 s | too bright |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright, no shadows | 1/125 s | 1/500 s | 1/2000 s | 1/8000 s |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | 1/60 s | 1/250 s | 1/1000 s | 1/4000 s |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | 1/15 s | 1/60 s | 1/250 s | 1/1000 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | 1/4 s | 1/15 s | 1/60 s | 1/250 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 2 s | 0.5 s | 1/8 s | 1/30 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 15 s | 4 s | 1 s | 1/4 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | > 4 min | 1 min | 15 s | 4 s |
When to use f/8#
f/8 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.
Detailed depth-of-field tables#
Other apertures#
Frequently asked questions#
Is f/8 a wide aperture?
It is a medium aperture. Smaller numbers mean larger openings.
How much light does f/8 let in compared to f/2.8?
0.12× (-3.0 stops).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources