Nikon 8700 - Manual (Page 56)

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Sensitivity (Shooting Modes and Only)
Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) is the digital equivalent of fi lm speed. The higher
the sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing higher
shutter speeds and smaller apertures. Much as fi lm with a high ISO rating
tends to produce “grainy” images, high sensitivities may be associated with
“noise”—randomly spaced, brightly colored pixels concentrated in dark parts
of the image. Noise reduction (
101) can be used to reduce noise in pictures
taken at shutter speeds of ¼ s or slower.
In (auto) and scene modes, the camera automatically raises sensitivity
when lighting is poor. In shooting modes (Custom 1) and (Custom 2),
the following options are available:
Option
50
Approximately equivalent to ISO 50. Recommended unless lighting is poor
or faster shutter speeds are required (e.g., when the subject is moving).
Noise may appear in pictures taken at settings above this value.
100 Approximately equivalent to ISO 100.
Description
200 Approximately equivalent to ISO 200.
400
Approximately equivalent to ISO 400. Intended for use with natural light-
ing; not recommended when using fl ash.
AUTO
Approximately equivalent to ISO 50 under normal conditions; when light-
ing is poor, however, camera automatically compensates by raising sensi-
tivity to maximum of ISO 200 equivalent (
36).
To choose a value for sensitivity:
Press button and rotate command dial until desired setting is displayed. At set-
tings other than AUTO, sensitivity is shown in shooting display during shooting.
100 100 100
F5.6 F5.6 F5.6 1/125 125 1/125 15 15 15
8M 8M 8M
50 50 50
400 400 400
AUTO AUTO AUTO
100 100 100
200 200 200
Exposure Mode
If AUTO is selected in shutter-priority auto or manual exposure mode, sensitivity will be
fi xed at ISO 50 equivalent and will not vary with lighting conditions.