Shutter speeds at ISO 204,800#
| Light | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | too bright | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | too bright | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | too bright | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | too bright | too bright | too bright | 1/8000 s |
| EV 6 · Home interior, daytime | too bright | too bright | 1/4000 s | 1/2000 s |
| EV 4 · Candle-lit close-up, Christmas lights | too bright | 1/4000 s | 1/1000 s | 1/500 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 1/4000 s | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/125 s |
| EV 0 · Dim interior, Milky Way in moonlight | 1/1000 s | 1/250 s | 1/60 s | 1/30 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | 1/250 s | 1/60 s | 1/15 s | 1/8 s |
| EV -4 · Aurora (bright) | 1/60 s | 1/15 s | 1/4 s | 0.5 s |
| EV -6 · Milky Way, starlight only | 1/15 s | 1/4 s | 1 s | 2 s |
Same noise on other formats#
At the same framing and depth of field, a full-frame camera at this ISO produces similar noise to the smaller formats at the lower ISOs shown (equivalence theory).
| Full frame ISO 204,800 ≈ on | Equivalent ISO (same total light) |
|---|---|
| APS-C (1.5×) | ISO 91,022 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | ISO 51,200 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | ISO 28,093 |
| Medium format 44×33 (0.79×) | ISO 328,153 |
Exposure calculator#
Your metered (or known good) exposure
New settings — change aperture and/or ISO, we solve the shutter speed
Other ISO values#
Frequently asked questions#
Is ISO 204,800 high?
Yes, it is a high ISO. Emergency territory: expect heavy noise and colour shifts; use for documentation or creative grain.
When should I use ISO 204,800?
When you need the shutter speed and aperture shown in the table above for your light level. Raise ISO only after you've reached the slowest safe shutter speed and widest useful aperture.
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources