Help me understand ISO settings.

[David Morison]

Sorry, this is not specific to the E5 but as I have one I thought I would post it here.

When we adjust the ISO setting on a digital camera what actually happens, does it change the sensitivity of the sensor (which I doubt) or does it change the way in which the processor/firmware handles the signal from the sensor. I am not widely read in the photographic sense but I have not seen any technical information available on this. Can anyone elucidate?

Thanks

David

[Ian]

Re: Help me understand ISO settings.

The gain on the sensor is increased as the iso sensitivity is increased by the user, but not necessarily at every setting. So some signal amplification does take place too.

Ian

[Guest]

Re: Help me understand ISO settings.

It also impacts the way the raw to JPG processing occurs (which gives rise to the true/reported iso figures DXO report). So some software amplification is partly driven by a manufactures custom curves.

Nick