Why ISO Is the New Megapixel

[DesignerDigitals]

Why ISO Is the New Megapixel

[Scrapbird]

Wow. Lots to digest. Thanks, Randy. Makes me want to wait a bit before looking at new cameras.

[lima]

Great article--thanks, Randy.

[anxela]

Great article. Thanks, Randy!

[shellb]

Hmmm...very interesting. I love how terms of light are always expressed with buckets & water. It gives me that ah-ha moment.

I completely agree with megapixel fatigue. It's why I went with the D60 oppose to the D90, I thought when am I going to need photos that big. However I also went with it because it has lower ISO capabilities.

He doesn't address the noise factor. For me higher ISO means more noise? Maybe that's just my problem?

I find myself shooting more and more with a tripod at 100 ISO and 400 max with hand held (switch to shutter speed for night).

Sometimes I think I need to take a photo class with actual film to get the full understanding.

I think he says it best with "And like any other spec, just because the ISO ratings go higher doesn't mean low-light performance will be better. Remember, "more" isn't more better." LOL

I think I'll have to reread that one for better digestion of all that photo science. TFS

[DesignerDigitals]

Originally Posted by shellb

I completely agree with megapixel fatigue. It's why I went with the D60 oppose to the D90, I thought when am I going to need photos that big. However I also went with it because it has lower ISO capabilities.

He doesn't address the noise factor. For me higher ISO means more noise? Maybe that's just my problem?

When we went to the National Geographic class in SF they had us shooting with out flash. At that time I had a D80 and shooting at an ISO of 1600 saw a ton of noise. 800 and 1200 were fine. Katie has the D90 and shot at 1600 - 2400 and the noise was much better. It was very kewl to shoot inside and get great photos with NO FLASH at all.

After the class I upgraded to the full frame D700 and shoot at ISO 3200+ with 0 noise now.

[sweetpeony]

Randy, you post the coolest links. I added phototuts+ and lifehacker to my reader.You had one for phototuts+ a week or so ago - the tutorials are amazing. Thanks!

[Amson]

Thanks so much for posting. I really enjoyed this article. It all helps...

[Aino]

Very interesting. Thanks for the link.

[luv2cre8]

Thanks for the interesting article Randy. Since both my kids are playing a lot of indoor sports right now (basketball and soccer), I have been shooting most photos with my ISO set at 1600. The photos are so much better than when I used to cap out at 800 ISO. Still not perfect, but better. I even use 800 a lot more on indoor everyday shots. I definitely agree that I would take improved low light performance over the more mega pixels (something new to add to my ever growing wish list).

[shellb]

Wow. That is amazing (National Geographic class and the low light performance). I had no idea it was possible. I so agree, I would take improved low light performance over the more mega pixels any day.

Hopefully, like the article said, ISO will become the new mega pixel and prices with be driven down. A girl can dream.

Such an enlightening article. TFS!

[Debbyo]

Thanks Randy for finding us all these cool sites...I would never have found that on my own. DD, Katie and Randy are the Best!