f/3.2
Aperture
3.4
Stops less light than f/1
9.77%
Light vs f/1
68.9 cm
DoF: 50 mm at 3 m (FF)
4.3 µm
Airy disk diameter
Depth of field at f/3.2 (full frame)#
| Focal | at 1 m | at 2 m | at 5 m | at 10 m | Hyperfocal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 85.4 cm | 6.67 m | ∞ | ∞ | 2.68 m |
| 24 mm | 33.4 cm | 1.48 m | 26.6 m | ∞ | 6.02 m |
| 35 mm | 15.2 cm | 63.1 cm | 4.59 m | 40.0 m | 12.8 m |
| 50 mm | 7.3 cm | 30.1 cm | 1.97 m | 8.95 m | 26.1 m |
| 85 mm | 2.4 cm | 10.2 cm | 65.6 cm | 2.68 m | 75.3 m |
| 135 mm | 0.9 cm | 3.9 cm | 25.6 cm | 1.04 m | 190 m |
| 200 mm | 0.4 cm | 1.7 cm | 11.5 cm | 47.1 cm | 417 m |
Diffraction at f/3.2#
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 | 0.7× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 45 MP | 4.39 µm | 1.0× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 61 MP | 3.79 µm | 1.1× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 24 MP | 3.92 µm | 1.1× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 40 MP | 3.04 µm | 1.4× | no visible loss |
| Micro Four Thirds 20 MP | 3.34 µm | 1.3× | no visible loss |
| 1-inch 20 MP | 2.41 µm | 1.8× | no visible loss |
| Smartphone 1/1.3" 50 MP | 1.17 µm | 3.7× | diffraction-limited |
f/3.2 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/4.8 |
| Canon APS-C (1.6×) | f/5.1 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | f/6.4 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | f/8.6 |
Shutter speed at f/3.2#
| Light | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | 1/3200 s | too bright | too bright | too bright |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright, no shadows | 1/800 s | 1/3200 s | too bright | too bright |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | 1/400 s | 1/1600 s | 1/6400 s | too bright |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | 1/100 s | 1/400 s | 1/1600 s | 1/6400 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | 1/25 s | 1/100 s | 1/400 s | 1/1600 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 0.3 s | 1/13 s | 1/50 s | 1/200 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 2.5 s | 0.6 s | 1/6 s | 1/25 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | 30 s | 10 s | 2.5 s | 0.6 s |
When to use f/3.2#
f/3.2 is a go-to setting for portraits with some context, events and indoor sport; most zooms are sharpest a stop down from wide open.
Other apertures#
Frequently asked questions#
Is f/3.2 a wide aperture?
It is a medium aperture. Smaller numbers mean larger openings.
How much light does f/3.2 let in compared to f/2.8?
0.77× (-0.4 stops).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources