Which ISO setting? So you make the right decision

You often have to set the ISO values ​​for good image quality. Which ISO setting you choose depends on various factors. In this practical tip, we explain which ISO setting makes sense and when.

Set the ISO value

In the digital age of film cameras, you can adjust the sensitivity of an image to light using ISO values. In addition to the ISO setting, the aperture and exposure time are also important to influence the brightness of the photo.

• Low ISO value: With a low ISO value, the sensor is less sensitive to the incident light. This means that you have to expose the photos longer. In times of day with good lighting conditions, low ISO numbers are optimal for good picture quality.
• High ISO value: Dark lighting situations require a higher ISO value. The higher the sensitivity to light (high ISO value), the shorter the exposure. Here it is advisable to set an ISO number of more than 400.

ISO value and image quality

A higher sensitivity to light does not mean that the image quality is also increased. Here are some things to consider in order to get high quality images.

• Noise: Larger ISO values ​​result in higher noise. Depending on the camera model, you can recognize these faults even at medium ISO values. So only use high ISO settings in poor lighting conditions.
• ISO 100: To achieve good image quality, you should choose the lowest possible ISO setting. As an ideal setting, you can set an ISO value of 100.
• Movements: Animal and sports shots with movements are often made with a shorter exposure time. You should therefore increase the ISO number in favor of a shorter exposure time. Be careful not to set the ISO too high.
• Darkness: Again, a higher ISO number does not lead to a better result. Therefore, use a flash or tripod over a higher ISO setting.