What does lower ISO mean?

A lower ISO setting on a camera means the camera sensor is less sensitive to light, requiring more light to create a properly exposed image.

Understanding ISO Sensitivity

ISO refers to a camera's sensitivity to light. It's a crucial setting that affects the brightness and quality of your photos.

• Lower ISO: Requires more light for a proper exposure.
• Higher ISO: Requires less light for a proper exposure.

According to the provided reference, "The ISO setting determines the camera's sensitivity to light. The lower the ISO number, the more light is needed to properly expose the image. The higher the ISO number, the less light is needed. ISO 200 requires much more light than ISO 6400."

Implications of Lower ISO

Using a lower ISO has several implications:

• Brighter Environments Needed: You need well-lit conditions, such as daylight or a studio with strong lighting.
• Less Noise (Grain): Lower ISO values generally produce cleaner images with less digital noise or grain. This is ideal for situations where image quality is paramount.
• Slower Shutter Speeds or Wider Apertures: To compensate for the lower sensitivity, you may need to use slower shutter speeds (potentially requiring a tripod to avoid blur) or wider apertures (which can affect the depth of field).

Practical Examples

In Summary

Choosing a lower ISO setting is about prioritizing image quality (low noise) over the ability to shoot in low-light conditions. It demands more light but rewards you with cleaner, sharper images.