Camera Sensitivity - ISO

Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected: Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 320; the numerical values are based on an ISO equiva- lent. 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

Color Mode

The color mode controls whether an image is color or black and white. This must be set before the image is recorded. The color mode is set in section 3 of the P, A, S, and M menus and section 2 of the movie menu (p. 44). The live image reflects the selected color mode. The color mode has no effect on image file size.

Vivid Color

Black & White

Sepia

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 dou- bles. 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

0.5 - 5.1m (1.7 - 16.7ft.)

1.2 - 3.2m (3.9 - 10.5ft.)

Natural Color reproduces the colors in the scene faithfully. This mode uses no monitor indicator when active. Vivid Color increases the saturation of the colors in the scene. Black & White produces neutral monochrome images. The sepia mode creates warm-tone monochrome images.

Contrast

This function increases or decreases the contrast of the scene in three levels: high (+), normal, and low (–). This can be set in section 3 of the P, A, S, and M menus (p. 44). Any changes made are applied to the live image. If any level except normal is selected, an indicator appears on the monitor as a warning.

Contrast: low

 

 

Contrast: normal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contrast: high

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64 Advanced recording

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