CAMERA SENSITIVITY - ISO

Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected: Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 320; 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 section 3 of the P, A, S, and M menus (p. 44).

Sensitivity

Auto

Color mode

NaturalColor

Sharpness

Normal

Contrast

Normal

Key func.

Flash mode

The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light conditions between ISO 50 and 160. When any other setting than auto is used, “ISO” and the set value will be displayed on the monitor.

A specific sensitivity setting can be selected. 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 50 will have the least noise and 320 will have the most. An ISO setting of 320 may allow the camera to be hand-held in low-light conditions without the need of a flash. Noise reduction is applied automatically to the image; see page 39 for details.

FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY

The flash range is measured from the front of the lens. 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

0.2 - 3.6m (0.7 - 11.8ft.)

1.2 - 2.2m (3.9 - 7.2ft.)

50

0.2 - 2.0m (0.7 - 6.6ft.)

1.2 - 1.3m (3.9 - 4.3ft.)

100

0.28 - 2.9m (0.9 - 9.5ft.)

1.2 - 1.8m (3.9 - 5.9ft.)

200

0.4

- 4.0m

(1.3 - 13.1ft.)

1.2 - 2.5m (3.9 - 8.2ft.)

320

0.50

- 5.1m

(1.65 - 16.7ft.)

1.2 - 3.2m (3.9 - 10.5ft.)

64 ADVANCED RECORDING