Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.
Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.
You can learn more at our glossary entry.
Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
J1 test data on DxO Mark P7700 test data on DxO MarkCameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.
Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable
Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.
Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.
Much improved, sleeker camera design doesn't mimic the competition; Sharp 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen swivels to the side, letting you compose shots from difficult angles; Brighter lens performs better in low light; Fast burst mode; Full HD movies.
Some photographers will miss having an optical viewfinder; Slower autofocus and single-shot cycle times when capturing RAW images; Shallow buffer; No one-touch video button.
