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.
GM5 test data on DxO Mark Q test data on DxO MarkThe first genuinely compact--almost pocket-friendly--compact system camera, paired with equally small, interchangeable lenses. Great ergonomics for the size, and it feels like a real camera, not a computer with a lens.
Very restrictive lens selection at launch. All but two current lenses have severe limitations in functionality. Performance is sluggish, and image quality trails large-sensor cameras by some distance.
Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.
Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.
