Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Is it smart to switch camera brands?

    September 23, 2023

    Why is the resolution of a camera important?

    September 3, 2023

    What’s the best way to get started in wedding photography?

    August 26, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Blog
    • Inspiration
    • Reviews
    • Courses
    • Tutorials
      1. Camera Tutorials
      2. Editing Tutorials
      3. Lighting Tutorials
      4. View All

      How to setup Canon Camera’s AF for sharper photos.

      August 7, 2023

      Answering Photography Questions Vol. 3

      June 19, 2023

      Is crop mode on Full Frame good or bad?

      June 5, 2023

      A guide to taking ethereal sunset photos.

      April 3, 2023

      A guide to taking ethereal sunset photos.

      April 3, 2023

      What is the RAW file format?

      January 11, 2023

      What is 16-bit color depth?

      January 5, 2023

      How to disable “Press & Hold to right click” for your Wacom tablet – On Windows 11 

      July 11, 2022

      When should you change the “ISO” in your camera?

      December 5, 2022

      How to use a flash to freeze fast movement.

      April 17, 2019

      Create a stunning product photo using freeze frame photography!

      April 11, 2019

      How to get started with flash photography

      April 1, 2019

      How to setup Canon Camera’s AF for sharper photos.

      August 7, 2023

      Answering Photography Questions Vol. 3

      June 19, 2023

      Is crop mode on Full Frame good or bad?

      June 5, 2023

      A guide to taking ethereal sunset photos.

      April 3, 2023
    • Forums
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Home»Tutorials»Camera Tutorials»What is “ISO” in a digital camera?
    Camera Tutorials

    What is “ISO” in a digital camera?

    ShawnBy ShawnAugust 8, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    ISO stands for “International Organization for Standardization”. It is a light sensitivity standard that was developed for film and continues to be used in digital cameras.

    For both film and digital cameras, ISO is supposed to work the same. Each doubling of the ISO number corresponds to a doubling or halving of the light intensity or sensitivity.

    Unlike digital cameras film cameras can’t change their ISO from picture to picture. The whole roll of film must be removed and changed out for a different sensitivity of film.

    Digital Camera ISO

    Digital Camera ISO is based on the camera sensor’s apparent sensitivity to light. The sensitivity changes are managed by an electronic circuit on the camera sensor. An increase in ISO causes an increase in the amplification of the signal from the sensor. Because the ISO setting affects the gain stage, it means that the sensor does not actually become more sensitive to light. What is actually happening at different ISO settings is that the signal is amplified by different amounts.

    In digital cameras the sensor is not actually a digital device but an analog device. The signal from the sensor is stored as an actual electrical charge in a capacitor. The capacitor is then “read”, ie, discharged, and the energy stored within it is converted to a digital value.

    Because of these processes there are certain limits to how sensor’s in digital cameras work. Digital camera sensors tend to have worse performance when the ISO is pushed higher than the base ISO. This means that the image tends to become more noisy at ISO’s that are far above the base ISO, and as a consequence of that, also have less dynamic range.

    Film ISO

    ISO was initially developed to standardize film sensitivity. Unlike digital cameras, film is an entirely chemical process. The light striking the film causes chemicals in the film to react to different frequencies of light in different ways that produces the different colors. Accordingly, the only way to control the sensitivity of the film is to change the chemical makeup of the film. Very high sensitivity film such as 1600 ISO or even 3200 ISO is very rare and hard to find these days. It’s not easy to make those films because the chemicals in them are highly reactive. Consequently most modern films are designed for the 100-800 ISO range of sensitivities.

    When to use high ISO?

    Typically, high ISO is used when high shutter speeds are required. These settings are particularly useful for sports photographers who want sharp pictures of athletes in the middle of a big play such as leaping for a touchdown pass.

    High ISO settings can also be useful in reduced or low light situations. Although, if the scene has no moving elements it is much better to use a longer exposure at a lower ISO than it is to use a higher ISO.

    Comparison of ISO settings

    One downside of high ISO is often increased noise in the image. This is due to the fact that increasing ISO usually just increases the gain in the image.

    Sensors tend to show different performance levels at different ISO’s.

    Final Thoughts

    Knowing a few things about ISO can help you make better decisions when taking pictures with your camera. Each camera may differ slightly, so knowing how your specific camera works will help you get the most out of it.

    Shawn
    • Website

    Shawn is the Editor and Co-Founder of Learn Photography Skills. Paying it forward one awesome post at a time! That's the legally intelligent thing to say.

    Related Posts

    Camera Tutorials

    How to setup Canon Camera’s AF for sharper photos.

    August 7, 2023
    Camera Tech

    Answering Photography Questions Vol. 3

    June 19, 2023
    Camera Tech

    Is crop mode on Full Frame good or bad?

    June 5, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest updates from Learn Photography Skills on all things photography, including creative techniques & equipment.

    Top Posts
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    All Time Most Popular
    Our Picks

    10 must have accessories for photographers!

    June 7, 2023

    What is the best portrait lens?

    January 29, 2019

    Official 2021 Holiday Gift Guide For Photographers

    November 3, 2021

    See Every New Post!

    Sign up to receive an update when new posts are available to read on LPS.com!

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Photography Courses
    • Forums
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    © 2023 Learn Photography Skills

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.