Is there a numerical relationship (linear or otherwise) between the f-stop number and the area or diameter of the "sharp region"? Not one I can specify. I believe it's an inverse square. Here's the general data (re-posted from link): The smaller the aperture, the deeper the depth of field (the other two factors remaining the same). For example, if the lens focal length and the shooting distance stay the same, the depth of field is much deeper at f/16 than at f/1.4.