What is Dual Native ISO?

 What exactly is Dual Native ISO, and how can it transform the way you shoot? 

ISO Mastery: Unlock High-Quality
in Low-Light Shots by Understanding
Dual Native ISO

When it comes to filming in low light, getting that crisp, noise-free image can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where understanding Dual Native ISO can completely transform your workflow. If you’ve ever struggled with grainy, unusable footage when cranking up your ISO, this guide will help you unlock high-quality low-light shots with confidence. Let’s break it down into three key points to master ISO settings, specifically Dual Native ISO, so you can get better results when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

1. What ISO Really Is (and Isn’t)

Many people describe ISO as the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor, but that’s not entirely true. ISO is actually the amplification of the signal created by the sensor. Think of it like turning up the volume on your stereo—the louder you go, the more noise you introduce. The same happens when you increase ISO: it adds gain to the signal, but also introduces noise that can degrade the image quality.

This means understanding ISO is crucial to shooting in low light without sacrificing the quality of your footage. As a rule of thumb, the lower the ISO, the cleaner the image—but that’s not always possible in dim settings. That’s where the concept of Dual Native ISO comes in.

2. The Role of Native ISO in Image Quality

Every camera has a Native ISO a setting where no gain is applied to the signal from the sensor, resulting in the cleanest image possible. For example, on my FX6, the native ISO is 800. At this level, 0dB of gain is applied to the sensor, giving me the best quality. As I increase the ISO, gain is added—6dB at 1,600 ISO, 12dB at 3,200 ISO, and so on 

each step introducing more noise into the footage. But here’s the catch: in low-light situations, we sometimes need to push the ISO higher to get enough exposure. That’s where Dual Native ISO comes in as a game-changer.

 Ever heard of Negative ISO?  That's right, negative.  What happens when you set your ISO bellow native?  The electrical signal is actually reduced (negative gain) and the quality of the signal improves.  Learn more about the mind bending process of filming in negative ISO. 

3. Dual Native ISO: The Secret to Cleaner Low-Light Shots

Dual Native ISO gives you the best of both worlds by offering two base ISOs—one for bright conditions and another for low light. On my FX6, the low base ISO is 800, and the high base ISO is 12,800. 

This means when I switch to the high base ISO, no gain is applied at 12,800 ISO, giving me a cleaner image in low-light scenarios compared to cranking up the ISO from the low base. For example, shooting at 10,000 ISO from the low base will introduce significant noise because it's over 20dB of gain.

But if I switch to the high base of 12,800, I get a much cleaner image because no gain is applied at that level. So, instead of pushing your low base ISO to its limits in low-light conditions, switch to the high base ISO to maintain image quality without introducing excessive noise.

Conclusion

Mastering ISO settings, and more specifically Dual Native ISO, is key to getting high-quality footage in low-light environments. Understanding how ISO works, knowing your camera’s native ISO, and leveraging Dual Native ISO can make a world of difference in the cleanliness of your image. It’s about finding that balance between light, ISO, and noise, so you can shoot in any condition with confidence.

So next time you’re in a dimly lit setting, don’t just push your ISO higher—think strategically, switch to High Base Native ISO, and unlock better low-light shots.

You can learn more about Dual Native ISO directly on the Sony Cine website.