ISO Speed Settings for Still Photos

Set the ISO speed (image sensor's sensitivity to light) to suit the ambient light level. In Basic Zone modes, ISO speed is set automatically.

For details on ISO speed in movie recording, see ISO Speed in Movie Recording.

  1. Press the ISO button.

  2. Set the ISO speed.

    • Turn the Quick control dial dial to set it.
    • ISO speed can be set within ISO 100–32000 in 1/3-stop increments.
    • With [AUTO] selected, ISO speed is set automatically.
    • When [AUTO] is selected, pressing the shutter button halfway will display the ISO speed actually set.

    • To specify [AUTO] when setting [ISO speed] in [Shooting: StillsISO speed settings], press the INFO button.

ISO speed guide

  • Low ISO speeds reduce image noise but may increase the risk of camera/subject shake or reduce the area in focus (shallower depth of field), in some shooting conditions.
  • High ISO speeds enable low-light shooting, a larger area in focus (deeper depth of field), and longer flash range but may increase image noise.

Note

  • ISO speed can also be set in the ISO speed item by pressing the Multi-function button with an image displayed on the screen.
  • To expand the manual ISO speed setting range to H (equivalent to ISO 51200), adjust [ISO speed range] in [Shooting: StillsISO speed settings] ().

Caution

  • Image noise (dots of light or banding) and irregular colors may increase and apparent resolution may decrease at H (equivalent to ISO 51200), because this is an expanded ISO speed.
  • Setting [Shooting: Highlight tone priority] to [Enable] or [Enhanced] () will prevent you from selecting ISO 100/125/160 or H (equivalent to ISO 51200).
  • When shooting with a high ISO speed, high temperature, long exposure, or multiple exposure, image noise (graininess, dots of light, banding, etc.), irregular colors, or color shift may become noticeable.
  • When shooting in conditions that produce an extreme amount of noise, such as a combination of high ISO speed, high temperature, and long exposure, images may not be recorded properly.
  • If you use a high ISO speed and flash to shoot a close subject, overexposure may result.

ISO Speed Range When Set Manually

You can set the manual ISO speed setting range (minimum and maximum limits). You can set the minimum limit within ISO 100 to ISO 32000 and the maximum limit within ISO 200 to H (equivalent to ISO 51200).

  1. Select [Shooting: StillsISO speed settings].

  2. Select [ISO speed range].

  3. Set [Minimum].

    • Select the [Minimum] box, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • Select an ISO speed, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

  4. Set [Maximum].

    • Select the [Maximum] box, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • Select an ISO speed, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

  5. Select [OK].

ISO Speed Range Used with ISO Auto

You can set the automatic ISO speed range for ISO Auto within ISO 100–32000. The minimum can be set within ISO 100–25600 and the maximum within ISO 200–32000, in 1-stop increments.

  1. Select [Auto range].

  2. Set [Minimum].

    • Select the [Minimum] box, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • Select an ISO speed, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

  3. Set [Maximum].

    • Select the [Maximum] box, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • Select an ISO speed, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

  4. Select [OK].

Note

  • The [Minimum] and [Maximum] settings will also function as the minimum and maximum speeds for ISO speed safety shift ().

Minimum Shutter Speed for ISO Auto

To prevent shutter speeds from being set too low automatically, you can set the minimum shutter speed for ISO Auto.

This is effective in Program AE or Aperture-priority AE mode when shooting subjects in motion with a wide-angle lens, or when using a telephoto lens. It can also reduce camera shake and blurred subjects.

  1. Select [Min. shutter spd.].

  2. Set the desired minimum shutter speed.

    Auto

    • If you select [Auto], turn the Main dial dial to set the difference relative to standard speed (toward Slower or Faster), then press the Quick Control/Set button.

    Manual

    • If you select [Manual], turn the Main dial dial to select the shutter speed, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

Caution

  • If a correct exposure cannot be obtained with the maximum ISO speed limit set with [Auto range], a shutter speed slower than the [Min. shutter spd.] will be set to obtain the standard exposure.
  • This function will not be applied to flash photography.

Note

  • When [Auto(Standard)] is set, the minimum shutter speed will be the reciprocal of the lens focal length. A single step from [Slower] to [Faster] is equivalent to a single stop of the shutter speed.