Choose from settings that range from ISO 100 and ISO 51200 in steps equivalent to 1/3 EV. Settings of from about 0.3 to 1 EV below ISO 100 and 0.3 to 5 EV above ISO 51200 are also available for special situations. Auto, scene, and special effect modes also offer an AUTO option, which allows the camera to set ISO sensitivity automatically in response to lighting conditions.

Modes Options
P, S, A, M Lo 1–Lo 0.3; 100–51200; Hi 0.3–Hi 5
% Auto
Other shooting modes Auto; Lo 1–Lo 0.3; 100–51200; Hi 0.3–Hi 5

ISO sensitivity can be adjusted by pressing the S (Q) button and rotating the main command dial until the desired setting is displayed.

S (Q) button

Main command dial

Control panel

Viewfinder

The Photo Shooting Menu

ISO sensitivity can also be adjusted from the photo shooting menu. Choose ISO sensitivity settings in photo shooting menu to adjust settings for photographs (0 ISO Sensitivity Settings).

Live View

In live view, the selected value is displayed in the monitor.

ISO Sensitivity

The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures, but the more likely the image is to be affected by noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines). Noise is particularly likely at settings between Hi 0.3 and Hi 5.

Hi 0.3–Hi 5

The settings Hi 0.3 through Hi 5 correspond to ISO sensitivities 0.3–5 EV over ISO 51200 (ISO 64000–1640000 equivalent).

Lo 0.3–Lo 1

The settings Lo 0.3 through Lo 1 correspond to ISO sensitivities 0.3–1 EV below ISO 100 (ISO 80–50 equivalent). Use for larger apertures when lighting is bright. Contrast is slightly higher than normal; in most cases, ISO sensitivities of ISO 100 or above are recommended.

See Also

For information on:

  • Choosing the ISO sensitivity step size, see A > Custom Setting b1 (ISO sensitivity step value; 0 ISO Sensitivity Step Value).
  • Reducing noise in photos taken at high ISO sensitivities, see C > High ISO NR (0 High ISO NR).
  • Reducing noise in movies shot at high ISO sensitivities, see 1 > High ISO NR (0 High ISO NR).