Aperture
f/1.8Smaller f-numbers mean a wider opening and a thinner slice of focus. f/1.8 melts backgrounds; f/11 keeps a whole landscape sharp.
Depth of Field Simulator
Set your lens, aperture, distance and sensor — see exactly what's in focus.
Units
Razor thin — portrait territory
49% in front · 51% behind
- Near limit
- 2.46 metres
- Far limit
- 2.55 metres
- Total depth of field
- 9 centimetres
- Hyperfocal
- 134 metres
In focus from 2.46 m to 2.55 m. Razor thin — portrait territory.
Side view
Log scale · shaded = acceptably sharp
Learn in 60 seconds
Four things control what's sharp
Each diagram follows the simulator above — move a slider and watch it change.
Focal length
24° viewLonger lenses narrow the view and magnify the background, so blur looks stronger at the same framing. That's the "compression" look of an 85mm or 135mm portrait.
Subject distance
2.5 mFocusing closer shrinks the sharp zone fast. Step back — or focus at the hyperfocal distance — and everything from half that distance to infinity is sharp.
Sensor size
Full frameSmaller sensors need shorter lenses for the same view, so at the same framing and f-number they give deeper focus. That's why phones struggle to blur backgrounds.
Best settings for your camera
Starting points for four common shoots. Tap “Apply in simulator” to load one and see the blur.
Portrait
- Focal
- 85mm
- Aperture
- f/1.8
- Distance
- 2.5 m
85mm is a short telephoto on full frame; with f/1.8 that means a flattering face and a creamy background.
Landscape
- Focal
- 24mm
- Aperture
- f/8
- Hyperfocal
- 2.42 m
Focus at hyperfocal (2.42 m) — everything from 1.21 m to ∞ is sharp
Wide 24mm at mid-aperture f/8, focused at hyperfocal, keeps everything sharp from front to back.
Video recording
- Focal
- 35mm
- Aperture
- f/2.8
- Distance
- 1.5 m
35mm gives a natural, roughly 35mm-equivalent view; f/2.8 leaves enough depth that the subject stays sharp if they move a little.
Exposure · US · 60Hz power
30fps → shutter 1/60, or 60fps → 1/125 (prevents light flicker)
Rule of thumb: shutter ≈ 2 × frame rate. Keep ISO low; outdoors at wide apertures, use an ND filter.
Instagram Reels
- Focal
- 20mm
- Aperture
- f/2.8
- Distance
- 60 cm
20mm is wide enough for arm's-length, selfie-style framing in vertical 9:16.
Exposure · US · 60Hz power
30fps → shutter 1/60, or 60fps → 1/125 (prevents light flicker)
Rule of thumb: shutter ≈ 2 × frame rate. Keep ISO low; outdoors at wide apertures, use an ND filter.
Shoot 9:16, 1080×1920 or 4K vertical.
Camera buying guide
Best Cameras to Buy
Most cameras worth buying new today are mirrorless — Canon and Nikon have largely stopped developing DSLRs. Picks are ranked separately for the US and India because street prices differ.
Up to $1,000 · Prices & picks updated: October 2026
Buying links coming soon.
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