Shutter speed and motion

In short: Shutter speed determines how long the sensor collects light. Short times (1/1000 s) freeze motion, long times (1 s) show motion as blur or streaks.

In more detail: Handheld you should shoot at least at 1/focal length seconds, so at 50 mm about 1/50 s, to avoid camera shake.

In detail

• Sport and animals: 1/500 s and shorter.
• Everyday: 1/125–1/250 s.
• Silky water: 1/4 s to several seconds from a tripod (langzeitbelichtung-und-nachtfotografie).
• Panning: Pan with the moving subject at 1/30 s; background blurs.
• Image stabiliser: Compensates for shake by several stops.
• Flash sync speed: Usually 1/200 s or longer.
• Exposure: A shorter time means less light; compensate with aperture or ISO (blende-und-schaerfentiefe, iso-und-bildrauschen).