ISO sensitivity

ISO 250

Exposure tables and noise expectations for ISO 250.

ISO 250
Sensitivity
+1.3
Stops vs ISO 100
2.50×
Brightness gain vs ISO 100
ISO 250 in practice: Clean on almost any modern camera.

Shutter speeds at ISO 250#

Lightf/1.4f/2.8f/5.6f/8
EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16)too brighttoo bright1/2500 s1/1250 s
EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade1/5000 s1/1250 s1/320 s1/160 s
EV 10 · Just after sunset1/1250 s1/320 s1/80 s1/40 s
EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night1/320 s1/80 s1/20 s1/10 s
EV 6 · Home interior, daytime1/80 s1/20 s1/5 s0.4 s
EV 4 · Candle-lit close-up, Christmas lights1/20 s1/5 s0.8 s1.6 s
EV 2 · Distant city lights1/5 s0.8 s3.2 s6 s
EV 0 · Dim interior, Milky Way in moonlight0.8 s3.2 s13 s25 s
EV -2 · Moonlit landscape3.2 s13 s1 min2 min
EV -4 · Aurora (bright)13 s1 min4 min> 4 min
EV -6 · Milky Way, starlight only1 min4 min> 4 min> 4 min

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 250 ≈ onEquivalent ISO (same total light)
APS-C (1.5×)ISO 111
Micro Four Thirds (2×)ISO 62
1-inch (2.7×)ISO 34
Medium format 44×33 (0.79×)ISO 401

Exposure calculator#

Your metered (or known good) exposure

New settings — change aperture and/or ISO, we solve the shutter speed

Equivalent shutter speed—
Exposure value (EV₁₀₀)—
Light conditions—

Other ISO values#

Frequently asked questions#

Is ISO 250 high?

No — it is a low ISO. Clean on almost any modern camera.

When should I use ISO 250?

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