Tool
Shutter Speed Calculator
Estimate the slowest shutter speed you can hand-hold without camera shake.
Handheld shutter speed
Slowest recommended shutter speed (reciprocal rule):
1/250s
Based on 1/(200mm × 1× crop) = 1/200s.
This is a guideline for avoiding camera shake when hand-holding. With image stabilization you can often shoot 2–5 stops slower.
The reciprocal rule
A useful rule of thumb is to keep your shutter speed at least as fast as 1 / (focal length). A 200mm lens suggests about 1/200s on full frame. With an APS-C crop factor of 1.5×, treat it as a 300mm lens and use 1/300s.
When the rule bends
Image stabilization can let you shoot 2–5 stops slower, and good technique (bracing, breathing) helps too. For critical sharpness or high-resolution sensors, err on the faster side.