ISO sensitivity

ISO 4,000

Exposure tables and noise expectations for ISO 4,000.

ISO 4,000
Sensitivity
+5.3
Stops vs ISO 100
40.00×
Brightness gain vs ISO 100
ISO 4,000 in practice: Usable on full frame for events and night sports with noise reduction.

Shutter speeds at ISO 4,000#

Lightf/1.4f/2.8f/5.6f/8
EV 15 · Bright sun, distinct shadows (Sunny 16)too brighttoo brighttoo brighttoo bright
EV 12 · Heavy overcast / open shadetoo brighttoo bright1/5000 s1/2500 s
EV 10 · Just after sunsettoo bright1/5000 s1/1250 s1/640 s
EV 8 · Bright interior, city street at night1/5000 s1/1250 s1/320 s1/160 s
EV 6 · Home interior, daytime1/1250 s1/320 s1/80 s1/40 s
EV 4 · Candle-lit close-up, Christmas lights1/320 s1/80 s1/20 s1/10 s
EV 2 · Distant city lights1/80 s1/20 s1/5 s0.4 s
EV 0 · Dim interior, Milky Way in moonlight1/20 s1/5 s0.8 s1.6 s
EV -2 · Moonlit landscape1/5 s0.8 s3.2 s6 s
EV -4 · Aurora (bright)0.8 s3.2 s13 s25 s
EV -6 · Milky Way, starlight only3.2 s13 s1 min2 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 4,000 ≈ onEquivalent ISO (same total light)
APS-C (1.5×)ISO 1,778
Micro Four Thirds (2×)ISO 1,000
1-inch (2.7×)ISO 549
Medium format 44×33 (0.79×)ISO 6,409

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 4,000 high?

Yes, it is a high ISO. Usable on full frame for events and night sports with noise reduction.

When should I use ISO 4,000?

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