CX5 FAQs - By Product

[Question] What is ISO sensitivity?

In digital cameras, the ISO sensitivity shows the sensitivity of imaging sensors toward light.
ISO sensitivity value is indicated as a number, such as ISO 100, or ISO 400.
A greater value means higher sensitivity. High sensitivity is suitable for shooting an object in a dark place or a fast-moving object while minimizing blurring. But the more a greater value, the more noise in images, and it will result in lower image quality.
On the other hand, the more lower the value in ISO sensitivity, the more detailed the images.

The following ISO settings are selectable.
Auto (with Maximum ISO for ISO Auto), ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, and ISO 3200.

When ISO setting is set to [Auto], the camera automatically changes the sensitivity according to the distance, brightness, zoom, macro settings, and picture quality/size. Usually, use the camera in the [Auto] mode.
If you do not want to allow the camera to change the ISO sensitivity, select an ISO setting other than [Auto].

The ISO sensitivity can be set in the Shooting menu, or with ADJ./OK button.
About the Shooting menu operations.

Operating procedure with the [ADJ./OK] button

• 1 Turn the mode dial to a shooting mode, and press the [ADJ./OK] button.
  

  

• 2 Push the [ADJ./OK] button to the right or the left until the ISO sensitivity menu appears.
  

  

• 3 Push the [ADJ./OK] button to select the setting.
• 4 Press the [ADJ./OK] button.
  The display returns to the shooting screen, and the setting appears on the picture display.

• •Upper limit for [ISO Auto] can be set in [Maximum ISO for ISO Auto]*1 in the Setup menu.
• •If the flash is not used when ISO is set to [Auto], ISO sensitivity will vary between ISO 100 and the ISO value that has been configured in [Maximum ISO for ISO Auto]. Or if the flash is set to [Auto], the flash will work if optimal exposure cannot be achieved at the upper limit of the ISO value that has been configured in [Maximum ISO for ISO Auto].
• •Captured images with a higher ISO sensitivity may appear grainy.
• •When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Auto], the ISO sensitivity that displays when half-pressing the shutter release button may differ from the actual ISO sensitivity in some cases (when using the flash, etc.).

It can be set the upper limit of the ISO sensitivity in [ISO Auto]. The value is selectable from AUTO 200 to AUTO 3200. Use to prevent ISO sensitivity from being raised too high. In the screen in above (3), choose [AUTO] and go to Max. ISO by pressing [DISP.] button, then the following setting will be displayed.

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