What are the usable ISOs for Video and when to pick which
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GUIDE Sony a7S II Guide

What are the usable ISOs for Video and when to pick which

What is ISO Grouping? It’s a term I invented, but it basically means – try to shoot a scene with ISOs that match in noise and color, so you don’t have to force them to match later in post. The objective of the lesson is to group ISOs so you know if you step out […]

What is ISO Grouping?

It’s a term I invented, but it basically means – try to shoot a scene with ISOs that match in noise and color, so you don’t have to force them to match later in post. The objective of the lesson is to group ISOs so you know if you step out of a group for the same scene, the shot might not match what preceded it.

Now here’s a video in which we explore the noise performance at various ISOs in all picture profiles:

Download Video

Takeaways

Here’s a quick chart for you to use:

800% Rec. 709 – Avoid – the noise and colors at all ISOs are ugly

S-Log2 and S-Log3

  • Great – ISO 1600 to 12800 (you could split between 1600-3200 and 6400-12800)
  • Up to you – ISO 25600
  • Avoid – ISO 51200 and ISO 102400

Cine profiles

  • Great – ISO 100 to 6400
  • Up to you – ISO 12800 and ISO 25600
  • Avoid – ISO 51200 and ISO 102400

Everything else (Movie, Still, etc.)

  • Great – ISO 100 to 3200
  • Avoid – ISO 6400+

Takeaways

  • Generally, try to stay below ISO 6400 and only push to 12800 or above if you’re absolutely desperate
  • APS-C mode has worse noise than full frame, because the noise has to be blown up to 1080p (it’s the reverse on the a7R II).
  • Avoid ISO 51,200 and above
  • Avoid 800% Rec. 709 completely