Where to find and adjust shutter speed on your Canon

On most Canon cameras, you change shutter speed using the Mode dial on top of the camera body and the Main dial (the rotating wheel near your right thumb). First, turn the Mode dial to S (Shutter Priority) or M (Manual). In S mode, the camera picks the aperture automatically while you control shutter speed. In M mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture yourself.

Once you are in S or M mode, rotate the Main dial to change the shutter speed number. The display on the back of the camera or in the viewfinder shows the current speed — typically written as fractions like 1/1000 or whole numbers like 2" (meaning 2 seconds). Rotating the dial one click usually changes the speed by one full stop, which either doubles or halves the amount of light entering the camera.

If you cannot find the Mode dial or Main dial on your camera, check your camera's manual — entry-level models like the T7 or M50 Mark II have slightly different layouts, though the principle remains the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Switch to S (Shutter Priority) mode to control shutter speed while the camera handles aperture, or M (Manual) mode to control both.
  • Use the Main dial (the rotating wheel on the back right of the camera) to adjust the shutter speed number up or down.
  • Faster speeds like 1/1000 freeze motion; slower speeds like 1/30 or longer create motion blur.
  • The camera's LCD screen or viewfinder display shows your current shutter speed in real time as you adjust it.

Understanding shutter speed numbers and what they do

Shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second or whole seconds. A speed of 1/1000 means the shutter opens and closes in one-thousandth of a second — fast enough to freeze a bird in flight. A speed of 1/30 keeps the shutter open for one-thirtieth of a second, which is slow enough to blur a moving subject unless you hold the camera very still. Speeds of 1 second, 2 seconds, or longer (marked with a quotation mark, like 2") keep the shutter open for full seconds and are used for night photography or intentional motion blur.

Each full stop change — one click on the Main dial — either doubles or halves the light. Moving from 1/500 to 1/1000 cuts the light in half (faster shutter, less light). Moving from 1/500 to 1/250 doubles the light (slower shutter, more light). This matters because if your photo is too dark, you can slow down the shutter speed to let more light in, or speed it up if the image is too bright.

Shutter Priority mode versus Manual mode

Shutter Priority (S mode) is the easiest way to start. You pick the shutter speed you want, and the camera automatically chooses an aperture (f-stop) to expose the image correctly. This is useful when motion control is your main concern — for example, you want 1/1000 to freeze a child running, and you do not care whether the background is sharp or blurred. The camera handles the rest.

Manual mode (M mode) gives you control of both shutter speed and aperture. You adjust shutter speed with the Main dial and aperture with the Control dial (usually the smaller wheel on the back left, or a different button depending on your model). Manual mode is useful when you have a specific look in mind — for instance, you want both a fast shutter speed and a wide aperture to freeze motion while keeping the background blurred. The trade-off is that you have to watch the exposure meter in the viewfinder and adjust both settings yourself.

Common shutter speeds and when to use them

For everyday photography in daylight, speeds between 1/125 and 1/500 work well for stationary subjects. If your subject is moving — a child playing, a pet running, a car passing — use 1/500 or faster. For sports or wildlife, aim for 1/1000 or faster.

Slower speeds like 1/30, 1/15, or 1 second require a tripod to avoid camera shake blurring the entire image. These speeds are common in low light (indoors, at dusk, at night) or when you want to intentionally blur moving water, clouds, or traffic for artistic effect. If you try a slow speed without a tripod, the image will likely be blurry even if your subject is still.

Very fast speeds like 1/2000 or 1/4000 are useful in bright sunlight when you want to use a wide aperture (like f/1.8) without overexposing the image. Some Canon models have a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000; others go to 1/8000.

What to do if your shutter speed will not change

If the Main dial does not seem to be working, check that you are in S or M mode. In other modes like P (Program) or Av (Aperture Priority), the camera controls shutter speed and the Main dial adjusts different settings. Switch the Mode dial to S or M and try again.

If you are in S or M mode and the shutter speed is still locked, look at the LCD screen or viewfinder. Some Canon cameras lock shutter speed if you have set a custom function or if the battery is low. Turning the camera off and back on usually clears this. If the problem persists, consult your camera's manual for your specific model number.

How shutter speed affects exposure and image quality

Shutter speed directly controls how much light reaches the sensor. A slower speed (like 1/30) lets more light in; a faster speed (like 1/2000) lets less light in. This is why in bright sunlight you use fast speeds and in dim light you use slow speeds. If your image is too dark in low light, slow down the shutter speed instead of raising the ISO (which adds digital noise).

Shutter speed also determines whether motion appears frozen or blurred. Fast speeds freeze action; slow speeds blur it. There is no "correct" choice — it depends on what you want the photo to show. A sports photo usually needs a fast speed to freeze the athlete. A waterfall photo often looks better with a slow speed to blur the water into a silky effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between shutter speed and ISO?

Shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light. ISO controls how sensitive the sensor is to that light. Both affect brightness, but shutter speed also affects motion blur, while ISO affects image noise. In low light, you can either slow the shutter speed, raise the ISO, or use a wider aperture — each has trade-offs.

Can I change shutter speed while looking through the viewfinder?

Yes. On most Canon models, you can rotate the Main dial while your eye is at the viewfinder, and the shutter speed display updates in real time. This lets you adjust without taking your eye away from the scene.

What happens if I use a slow shutter speed without a tripod?

The entire image will likely be blurry from camera shake — your hand movement during the exposure. For handheld shooting, a general rule is to use a shutter speed of at least 1 divided by your focal length. For example, with a 50mm lens, use 1/50 or faster. With a 200mm lens, use 1/200 or faster.

Why does my camera show a blinking shutter speed number?

A blinking shutter speed in S mode means the camera cannot find an aperture that will expose the image correctly at that speed. The scene is either too bright or too dark. Try a slower shutter speed if the scene is too dark, or a faster speed if it is too bright.