Reacting Faster To Light: Sensitivity (Iso Equivalency) - Nikon COOLPIX 880 Manual

Reacting Faster to Light: Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)

What Is "Sensitivity"?
"Sensitivity" is a measure of how quickly your camera reacts to light. The higher the sensitivity, the less
light needed to make an exposure, allowing the same exposure to be achieved with higher shutter
speeds or smaller apertures. In a film camera, sensitivity is a characteristic of the film, not the camera.
The ISO ratings you see on packages of film are a measure of their sensitivity—the higher the ISO
rating, the more sensitive the film. Higher sensitivity is achieved by altering the chemical composition of
the film, causing a random pattern, called "grain, " to appear in the final photograph. In a digital camera,
increased sensitivity has a similar effect: higher sensitivities allow higher shutter speeds, at the expense of
mottling, or "noise" (the digital equivalent of film "grain") appearing in the final image.
Adjusting Sensitivity
In AUTO mode, the camera sets sensitivity automatically in response to lighting conditions. When the
mode dial is set to P, A, M, or CSM, you can choose a fixed value for sensitivity from three possible
settings. Sensitivity is set by pressing the zoom buttons while holding down the
1
Press for increased sen-
sitivity, for decreased sen-
sitivity. At setting of 400, press
to select setting of AUTO.
74
2
Sensitivity displayed in moni-
tor, and in control panel
while
AUTO
tons are pressed. After
zoom buttons are released,
NORMAL NORMAL
A 1/60 F2.8 10
[ ]
ISO icon in control panel in-
dicates that sensitivity is
raised above 100.
button.
and zoom but-