Where to find shutter speed on your Canon

On most Canon cameras, shutter speed lives in the same place: the top-left area of your camera's LCD screen on the back, or in the viewfinder when you look through the lens. It appears as a fraction or whole number — something like 1/1000, 1/60, or 2" (the quote mark means seconds). You change it using the main dial on top of the camera, but only when your camera is set to a mode that lets you control it.

The mode you're in determines whether you can change shutter speed at all. In full Auto mode, your camera picks the shutter speed for you and won't let you touch it. In Shutter Priority mode (marked Tv on Canon cameras), you control shutter speed and the camera picks aperture. In Manual mode (M), you control both shutter speed and aperture. In Program mode (P), you can shift the shutter speed slightly, but the camera tries to keep a balanced exposure.

Key Takeaways

  • Switch your camera to Shutter Priority (Tv) or Manual (M) mode using the dial on top — Auto mode won't let you change shutter speed.
  • Once in the right mode, rotate the main dial (the textured wheel on the back-right of the camera) to change the number you see on screen.
  • Faster shutter speeds (1/1000, 1/500) freeze motion; slower speeds (1/30, 1 second) blur motion and need a tripod.
  • If your image is too dark or too bright after changing shutter speed, adjust your aperture (f-number) or ISO to compensate.

Setting your camera to Shutter Priority mode

Shutter Priority is the easiest mode for learning to control shutter speed because the camera handles the rest. Locate the mode dial on the top-left of your camera — it's the rotating ring with letters and symbols. Turn it until the Tv symbol lines up with the white mark (usually at the top). Tv stands for "Time value," Canon's name for shutter speed.

Once you're in Tv mode, look at the back of your camera. You'll see the shutter speed displayed on the LCD screen. Press the shutter button halfway down and the camera will show you the aperture it's choosing to match your shutter speed. If the aperture blinks or shows a blinking number, it means the camera can't get a proper exposure at that shutter speed — you may need to adjust your ISO or choose a different shutter speed.

Using the main dial to change shutter speed

The main dial is the textured wheel on the back-right of your camera, just behind the shutter button. Once you're in Shutter Priority or Manual mode, rotate this dial left or right to change the shutter speed number on your screen. Rotate toward the camera body to make the shutter speed faster (higher numbers like 1/1000). Rotate away from the body to make it slower (lower numbers like 1/30).

The dial moves in standard stops — each click represents a doubling or halving of light. So 1/125 to 1/250 is one stop faster; 1/60 to 1/30 is one stop slower. If you overshoot and go too far, just dial back. The number updates in real time on your screen, so you'll see the change immediately.

Understanding what each shutter speed does

Shutter speed controls how long the sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed (1/1000 or faster) opens and closes almost instantly, freezing any motion — useful for sports, wildlife, or anything moving quickly. A slow shutter speed (1 second or longer) keeps the sensor open for a long time, which blurs motion and requires a tripod to avoid camera shake blurring the whole image.

In between, speeds like 1/125 or 1/60 work for everyday shooting — fast enough to hand-hold the camera without blur, but slow enough to let in decent light indoors. A common rule is to never hand-hold slower than 1 over your focal length: if you're using a 50mm lens, don't go slower than 1/50. If you're using a 200mm lens, don't go slower than 1/200. Longer lenses magnify camera shake, so they need faster shutter speeds.

What to do if your image is too dark or too bright

When you change shutter speed, the brightness of your image changes. Faster shutter speeds let in less light, making images darker. Slower shutter speeds let in more light, making images brighter. If you've set a shutter speed you like but the image is too dark, you have two fixes: lower your f-number (aperture) to let in more light, or raise your ISO to make the sensor more sensitive.

If the image is too bright, do the opposite — raise your f-number (smaller aperture) or lower your ISO. In Shutter Priority mode, you can only adjust aperture and ISO; the camera won't let you change shutter speed without you doing it. In Manual mode, you control all three, so you have more flexibility. Many photographers use Manual mode when they want a specific shutter speed and don't want the camera second-guessing their aperture choice.

Using Manual mode for full control

Manual mode (marked M on the mode dial) lets you set both shutter speed and aperture yourself. Switch to M mode the same way you switched to Tv — rotate the mode dial until M lines up with the white mark. Now the main dial controls shutter speed, just like in Shutter Priority.

To change aperture in Manual mode, hold down the Av button (usually on the back-left of the camera) and rotate the main dial. The aperture number (f-stop) will change on your screen. This takes practice because you're juggling two settings, but it gives you complete control over exposure. Many photographers prefer Manual mode for situations where they know exactly what they want — a specific shutter speed to freeze motion, paired with a specific aperture for depth of field.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is forgetting to check your mode dial. You'll rotate the main dial expecting to change shutter speed and nothing will happen — because you're still in Auto mode. Always glance at the mode dial before you start shooting to confirm you're in Tv or M.

The second mistake is setting a shutter speed too slow without a tripod. Anything slower than 1/30 will likely show camera shake blur when you hand-hold. If you need a slow shutter speed for creative effect (like blurring water in a stream), mount your camera on a tripod or rest it on a stable surface. The third mistake is ignoring the aperture warning. If your aperture number blinks on screen, it means the camera can't expose properly at that shutter speed — raise your ISO or choose a faster shutter speed to fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Tv and M mode?

In Tv (Shutter Priority), you set shutter speed and the camera picks aperture automatically. In M (Manual), you set both shutter speed and aperture yourself. Tv is faster for changing conditions because the camera adjusts exposure for you. M gives you complete control but requires you to watch both settings.

Why does my shutter speed dial seem stuck?

Your camera is probably in Auto mode, which locks shutter speed. Switch to Tv or M mode on the mode dial and the main dial will respond again. Also check that your camera is powered on — the dial won't work if the battery is dead.

Can I change shutter speed while looking through the viewfinder?

Yes. The shutter speed number appears in the viewfinder on most Canon models. You can rotate the main dial and watch the number change while you're framing your shot, which is useful for quick adjustments.

What shutter speed should I use for moving subjects?

For freezing motion, use 1/500 or faster. For slight motion blur (like a runner's legs), try 1/125 to 1/250. For heavy blur (like flowing water), use 1 second or longer with a tripod. The faster the subject moves, the faster your shutter speed needs to be.

Does changing shutter speed affect image quality?

Shutter speed itself doesn't affect quality — only motion blur or camera shake does. A fast shutter speed prevents both. A slow shutter speed can introduce blur if you're hand-holding, so use a tripod to keep quality sharp at slow speeds.