ISO Sensitivity

The camera’s sensitivity to light (ISO sensitivity) can be adjusted according to the amount of light available. In general, choosing higher values allows faster shutter speeds at the same aperture.

Adjusting ISO Sensitivity

The ISO Sensitivity Dial

ISO sensitivity can be adjusted by rotating the ISO sensitivity dial.

Your selection is shown in the shooting display.
Choose from settings of from ISO 100 to 64000.
Manual ISO sensitivity selection is available in video mode only when [OFF] is selected for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Auto ISO control (mode M)] in mode M. Otherwise ISO sensitivity for video recording will be set automatically by the camera. ISO sensitivity for video recording can be set to values of from ISO 100 to 51200 or Hi 0.3 (ISO 64000 equivalent).

Other Methods

When the ISO sensitivity dial is rotated to C, ISO sensitivity can be adjusted using:
- [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity] in the photo shooting menu,
- [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity (mode M)] in the video recording menu,
- touch controls,
- the i menu, and
- custom controls (0 f2: Custom Controls (Shooting), g2: Custom Controls）
The values that can be selected using these methods are listed below.
- Still photography: ISO 100 to 64000; the camera also supports settings below ISO 100 by about 0.3, 0.7, and 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) and above ISO 64000 by about 0.3, 0.7, 1.0, and 1.7 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent). An additional setting of [Auto] is available in mode b.
- Video recording: ISO 100 to 51200; the camera also supports settings above ISO 51200 by 0.3, 0.7, 1, and 2 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent).

To choose another setting after rotating the ISO sensitivity dial to C, rotate the dial while holding the ISO sensitivity dial lock release.

High ISO Sensitivities

The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing pictures to be taken when lighting is poor and helping prevent blur when the subject is in motion. Note, however, that the higher the sensitivity, the more likely the picture is to be affected by “noise” in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines.

“Noise” can be reduced by enabling high ISO noise reduction. High ISO noise reduction can be enabled using the [High ISO NR] items in the photo shooting and video recording menus.

Hi 0.3–Hi 1.7

A setting of [Hi 0.3] corresponds to an ISO sensitivity approximately 0.3 EV higher than ISO 64000 (ISO 80000 equivalent) and [Hi 1.7] to an ISO sensitivity approximately 1.7 EV higher (ISO 204800 equivalent). Note that pictures taken at these settings are particularly prone to “noise” in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines.

Lo 0.3–Lo 1.0

[Lo 0.3] corresponds to an ISO sensitivity about 0.3 EV below ISO 100 (ISO 80 equivalent). [Lo 1.0] is roughly 1 EV below ISO 100 (ISO 50 equivalent). Use for larger apertures or slower shutter speeds when lighting is bright. Highlights may be overexposed. In most cases, ISO sensitivities of ISO [100] or above are recommended.

Auto ISO Sensitivity Control

Auto ISO sensitivity control automatically adjusts ISO sensitivity if optimal exposure cannot be achieved at the value selected by the user. You can select an upper limit for auto ISO sensitivity control (200–Hi 1.7) to prevent ISO sensitivity being raised too high.

Enabling Auto ISO Sensitivity Control

Auto ISO sensitivity control can be enabled in modes P, S, A, and M by selecting [ON] for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Auto ISO sensitivity control] in the photo shooting menu.
In mode b, auto ISO sensitivity control can be enabled by selecting [Auto] for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity] in the photo shooting menu.
When auto ISO sensitivity control is enabled, the shooting display will show ISO AUTO. When sensitivity is altered from the value selected by the user, the adjusted value will be shown in the display.
Maximum sensitivity can be adjusted using the [ISO sensitivity settings] item in the photo shooting menu.

Cautions: Auto ISO Sensitivity Control

If the value currently selected using the ISO sensitivity dial or [ISO sensitivity] is higher than that chosen for [Maximum sensitivity], the highest value will serve as the upper limit for auto ISO sensitivity control.
During flash photography, shutter speed is limited to the range defined by the values selected for Custom Settings e1 [Flash sync speed] and e2 [Flash shutter speed]. If the value selected for [Minimum shutter speed] is not in this range, the value selected for Custom Setting e2 [Flash shutter speed] becomes the effective minimum shutter speed.
Except in mode M, videos are recorded using auto ISO sensitivity control. Auto ISO sensitivity control can be enabled for video recording in mode M by selecting [ON] for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Auto ISO control (mode M)] in the video recording menu.