f/5.6
Aperture
5.0
Stops less light than f/1
3.19%
Light vs f/1
1.24 m
DoF: 50 mm at 3 m (FF)
7.5 µm
Airy disk diameter
Depth of field at f/5.6 (full frame)#
| Focal | at 1 m | at 2 m | at 5 m | at 10 m | Hyperfocal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 2.22 m | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | 1.54 m |
| 24 mm | 62.0 cm | 3.45 m | ∞ | ∞ | 3.45 m |
| 35 mm | 26.9 cm | 1.16 m | 12.7 m | ∞ | 7.33 m |
| 50 mm | 12.8 cm | 53.3 cm | 3.74 m | 24.2 m | 14.9 m |
| 85 mm | 4.3 cm | 17.8 cm | 1.16 m | 4.87 m | 43.1 m |
| 135 mm | 1.6 cm | 6.9 cm | 44.9 cm | 1.83 m | 109 m |
| 200 mm | 0.7 cm | 3.0 cm | 20.2 cm | 82.5 cm | 238 m |
Diffraction at f/5.6#
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 | 1.3× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 45 MP | 4.39 µm | 1.7× | no visible loss |
| Full frame 61 MP | 3.79 µm | 2.0× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 24 MP | 3.92 µm | 1.9× | no visible loss |
| APS-C 40 MP | 3.04 µm | 2.5× | slight softening |
| Micro Four Thirds 20 MP | 3.34 µm | 2.3× | slight softening |
| 1-inch 20 MP | 2.41 µm | 3.1× | slight softening |
| Smartphone 1/1.3" 50 MP | 1.17 µm | 6.4× | diffraction-limited |
f/5.6 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/8.4 |
| Canon APS-C (1.6×) | f/9.0 |
| Micro Four Thirds (2×) | f/11.2 |
| 1-inch (2.7×) | f/15.1 |
Shutter speed at f/5.6#
| Light | ISO 100 | ISO 400 | ISO 1600 | ISO 6400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16) | 1/1000 s | 1/4000 s | too bright | too bright |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright, no shadows | 1/250 s | 1/1000 s | 1/4000 s | too bright |
| EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shade | 1/125 s | 1/500 s | 1/2000 s | 1/8000 s |
| EV 10 · Just after sunset | 1/30 s | 1/125 s | 1/500 s | 1/2000 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night | 1/8 s | 1/30 s | 1/125 s | 1/500 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 1 s | 1/4 s | 1/15 s | 1/60 s |
| EV 2 · Distant city lights | 8 s | 2 s | 0.5 s | 1/8 s |
| EV -2 · Moonlit landscape | 2 min | 30 s | 8 s | 2 s |
When to use f/5.6#
f/5.6 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/5.6 a wide aperture?
It is a medium aperture. Smaller numbers mean larger openings.
How much light does f/5.6 let in compared to f/2.8?
0.25× (-2.0 stops).
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources