Where to find shutter speed on a Canon camera

On most Canon cameras, you control shutter speed using the Mode dial — the rotating wheel on top of the camera body — and the Main dial, a smaller wheel usually on the back right side near your thumb. The exact steps depend on which mode you are in, but the principle is the same: you rotate the Main dial to change the number, and the camera displays your current shutter speed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

If you are in Av mode (Aperture Priority), the camera sets shutter speed automatically based on the light in the scene. If you are in Tv mode (Shutter Priority), you control shutter speed directly and the camera adjusts aperture to match. If you are in M mode (Manual), you control both shutter speed and aperture yourself. Most people starting out use Tv mode because it is the simplest way to experiment with shutter speed without worrying about aperture at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • Switch to Tv mode on the Mode dial to control shutter speed directly while the camera handles aperture automatically.
  • Rotate the Main dial (the wheel on the back right of the camera) to change shutter speed; faster speeds appear as smaller numbers like 1/1000, slower speeds as larger numbers like 2 seconds.
  • Watch the viewfinder or LCD screen as you rotate the dial to see the shutter speed number change in real time.
  • Faster shutter speeds freeze motion; slower shutter speeds blur motion, so choose based on what you are photographing.

Switching to Tv mode (Shutter Priority)

Locate the Mode dial on top of your Canon camera. It is the round wheel with letters and symbols printed around the edge. Look for the letter Tv, which stands for "Time value" — Canon's name for shutter speed priority. Rotate the dial until the Tv marking lines up with the white line or dot on the camera body (usually at the top or front).

Once Tv mode is selected, look through the viewfinder or at the LCD screen on the back. You will see a number displayed — this is your current shutter speed. The camera is now ready for you to change it. In this mode, when you rotate the Main dial, only the shutter speed changes; the camera automatically adjusts the aperture to keep the image properly exposed.

Rotating the Main dial to change shutter speed

The Main dial is the textured wheel on the back right side of your Canon, usually positioned where your right thumb naturally rests. With the camera to your eye or looking at the LCD screen, rotate this dial slowly in either direction. As you turn it, watch the shutter speed number change in the viewfinder or on screen.

Rotating the dial one direction increases shutter speed (the number gets smaller, like 1/500 becoming 1/1000). Rotating it the other direction decreases shutter speed (the number gets larger, like 1/500 becoming 1/250). If you overshoot, straightforward rotate back. There is no penalty for adjusting multiple times — the camera does not record your changes until you take the photo.

Understanding what the numbers mean

Shutter speed numbers can look confusing at first because they use fractions and whole seconds. A speed of 1/1000 means the shutter opens and closes in one one-thousandth of a second — very fast, good for freezing fast motion. A speed of 1/60 means one sixtieth of a second — moderate speed, good for handheld shooting in normal light. A speed of 2 means two full seconds — very slow, good for intentional blur or low light with a tripod.

The pattern is consistent: smaller denominators (1/1000, 1/500) are faster speeds. Whole numbers (1, 2, 4) are slower speeds measured in seconds. Your camera will not let you choose a shutter speed so slow that the image comes out blurry from your hand shaking, but it will warn you if the light is too dim for your chosen speed — usually by flashing the aperture number in the viewfinder.

Changing shutter speed in Manual mode

If you want full control over both shutter speed and aperture, switch to M mode on the Mode dial. In Manual mode, the Main dial still controls shutter speed — rotate it the same way as in Tv mode. The difference is that the camera no longer adjusts aperture automatically, so you must set that separately using a different dial or button (usually the sub-dial on the back left, or a button you hold while rotating the Main dial).

Manual mode is more complex but gives you complete control. Most photographers use it when they have specific creative goals — for example, wanting both a fast shutter speed and a wide aperture to blur the background. If you are new to shutter speed, stick with Tv mode first. You can always move to Manual mode once you understand how shutter speed affects your images.

What happens if you choose the wrong shutter speed

If you set shutter speed too fast (like 1/4000) in dim light, the image will be too dark because the shutter does not stay open long enough to collect enough light. The camera will warn you by displaying the aperture value in red or flashing in the viewfinder. You can either slow down the shutter speed, open the aperture wider, or increase the ISO (sensor sensitivity).

If you set shutter speed too slow (like 2 seconds) while handheld, motion blur from your hands will make the image blurry. A tripod solves this problem. If you are photographing a moving subject and the shutter speed is too slow, the subject will appear as a blur streak instead of frozen in place. Rotate the Main dial to a faster speed to freeze the motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my shutter speed keep resetting when I turn the camera off?

It does not reset — the camera remembers your last shutter speed setting and returns to it when you turn the camera back on. If it appears to change, you may have accidentally rotated the Mode dial or Main dial while the camera was off, or switched to a different mode. Check the Mode dial and the viewfinder display to confirm your current settings.

Can I change shutter speed while looking through the viewfinder?

Yes. Keep the camera to your eye and rotate the Main dial with your right thumb. You will see the shutter speed number change in the viewfinder display in real time. This is the fastest way to adjust while composing your shot.

What shutter speed should I use to freeze a moving subject?

It depends on how fast the subject is moving. A running person needs roughly 1/500 or faster. A car on a highway needs 1/1000 or faster. A bird in flight needs 1/2000 or faster. Start with 1/500 and take a test shot; if the subject is still blurry, rotate the Main dial to a faster speed and try again.

Is there a difference between shutter speed on Canon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras?

The dial and button locations are slightly different between models, but the concept is identical. All Canon cameras use the Main dial to change shutter speed in Tv or M mode. Check your camera's manual for the exact location of the Mode dial and Main dial on your specific model.