CAMERA SENSITIVITY – ISO

Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected: Auto, 100, 200, 400, and 800; the numerical values

are based on an ISO equivalent. ISO is the standard used to indicate film sensitivity: the higher the number, the more sensitive the film. Camera sensitivity is set in the Basic section of the multi- function recording mode menu (p. 50).

The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light conditions between ISO 100 and 400. When the flash is activated and camera sensitivity is set to auto, the ISO value is set to

200.When any other setting than auto is used, “ISO” will appear on the data panel, and “ISO” and the set value will be displayed on the monitor.

Photographers can select a specific sensitivity setting. As the ISO value doubles, the camera sensitivity doubles. Like grain in silver-halide film that increases with speed, noise increases with sensitivity in digital imaging; an ISO setting of 100 will have the least noise and 800 will have the most noise. High ISO settings (400, 800) will allow the photographer to hand hold the camera in low- light conditions without the need of a flash. A change in ISO also affects the flash range; see below.

FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY

The flash range is measured from the CCD. Because of the optical system, the flash range is not the same at the lens’ wide-angle position as it is at the telephoto position.

ISO setting

Flash range (wide angle)

Flash range (telephoto)

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTO

0.5m

~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~

11.5 ft.)

0.9m

~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

0.5m

~ 2.4m

(1.6 ft. ~

7.8 ft.)

0.9m

~ 2.1m

(3.0 ft. ~ 6.9 ft.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200

0.5m

~ 3.5m

(1.6 ft. ~

11.5 ft.)

0.9m

~ 3.0m

(3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400

0.5m

~ 4.9m

(1.6 ft. ~

16 ft.)

0.9m

~ 4.2m

(3.0 ft. ~ 13.8 ft.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

800

0.5m

~ 7.0m

(1.6 ft. ~

23 ft.)

0.9m

~ 6.0m

(3.0 ft. ~ 19.6 ft.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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