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.
XZ-2 test data on DxO Mark P7100 test data on DxO MarkFaster overall; Very good image quality; Generous 7.1x zoom range; Good controls; Tilting VGA LCD; RAW support.
Video limited to 720p24; Other cameras are still faster in some areas; LCD tilts only up or down, not side-to-side; Sub-command dial turns too easily.
Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.
Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.
