ISO 18383:2015

Photography — Digital cameras — Specification guideline

ISO 18383:2015 identifies a set of features that describes digital still cameras (DSCs), and it specifies their definitions, measurement methods, and presentation methods. This International Standard applies to DSCs designed and produced for and promoted to general consumers and need not be applied to those DSCs designed and produced to meet individual and special specifications agreed upon by particular business or industrial users and the manufacturer. The presentation methods specified in it are intended for use as notations on camera bodies, on product packaging, on promotional materials for advertising and at the point of purchase, in electronic or printed catalogues and other materials, and in the relevant software.

Photographie — Caméras numériques — Ligne directrice de spécification

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Aug-2015
• ICS: 37.040.10 - Photographic equipment. Projectors
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 42 - Photography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 42/WG 18 - Electronic still picture imaging
• Parallel Committee: ISO/TC 130 - Graphic technology

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18383
First edition
2015-09-01
Photography — Digital cameras —
Specification guideline
Photographie — Caméras numériques — Ligne directrice de
spécification
Reference number
ISO 18383:2015(E)
©
ISO 2015

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ISO 18383:2015(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
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Fax [phone]
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ISO 18383:2015(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Definition set of the product specifications of DSCs . 2
4.1 Basic requirements . 2
4.2 Definitions of specifications . 3
4.2.1 General. 3
4.2.2 Optical system . 4
4.2.3 Camera control system . 8
4.2.4 Key components .14
4.2.5 Recording system .21
4.2.6 Image quality .23
4.2.7 Response time .30
4.2.8 Miscellaneous features .33
Annex A (normative) Measurement methods of features not related to image quality .39
Annex B (normative) Related standards .46
Annex C (informative) Commentary .58
Bibliography .61
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ISO 18383:2015(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 42, Photography.
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ISO 18383:2015(E)

Introduction
The digital still camera (DSC) marketplace continuously produces and promotes new and competitive
cameras. Requiring that manufacturers produce DSCs with standard numerical specifications impedes
the technical progress, interferes with fair market competition, hinders the sound development of the
industry, reduces camera innovation, and limits the customer’s choice. On the other hand, standardized
definitions of a fundamental set of camera specifications can help consumers to choose, purchase, and use
these cameras because they provide the information needed to understand and compare the numerical
specifications offered by the manufacturers and, thus, contribute to the fair competition in the market.
The various fundamental features of DSCs have close relationships with other features, such as camera
size or cost. Nonetheless, these features, their relationships, and their numerical values vary with time
and technological evolution. Manufacturers design and build their cameras to numerical specifications
that balance performance with their estimation of the competitiveness of the product in and the
feedback from the marketplace.
This International Standard identifies a set of fundamental features that describe DSCs, along with
their accepted definitions, measurements, and presentation methods, but it does not define nor specify
numerical values for the features, functions for calculating these values, nor limiting values required
for these features.
This International Standard is based on Reference [1] prepared by Camera and Imaging Products
Association (CIPA).
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18383:2015(E)
Photography — Digital cameras — Specification guideline
1 Scope
This International Standard identifies a set of features that describes digital still cameras (DSCs), and
it specifies their definitions, measurement methods, and presentation methods. This International
Standard applies to DSCs designed and produced for and promoted to general consumers and need not
be applied to those DSCs designed and produced to meet individual and special specifications agreed
upon by particular business or industrial users and the manufacturer.
The presentation methods specified in this International Standard are intended for use as notations
on camera bodies, on product packaging, on promotional materials for advertising and at the point of
purchase, in electronic or printed catalogues and other materials, and in the relevant software.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 516, Photography — Camera shutters — Timing
ISO 517, Photography — Apertures and related properties pertaining to photographic lenses — Designations
and measurements
ISO 2720, Photography — General purpose photographic exposure meters (photoelectric type) — Guide to
product specification
ISO 12232, Photography — Digital still cameras — Determination of exposure index, ISO speed ratings,
standard output sensitivity, and recommended exposure index
ISO 12233, Photography — Electronic still picture imaging — Resolution and spatial frequency responses
ISO 14524, Photography — Electronic still-picture cameras — Methods for measuring opto-electronic
conversion functions (OECFs)
ISO 15739, Photography — Electronic still-picture imaging — Noise measurements
ISO 15781, Photography — Digital still cameras — Measuring shooting time lag, shutter release time lag,
shooting rate, and start-up time
ISO 17850, Photography — Digital cameras — Geometric distortion (GD) measurements
ISO 17957, Photography — Digital cameras — Shading measurements
1)
Photography — Digital cameras — Chromatic displacement measurements
ISO 19084,
IEC 61747-6:2003, Liquid crystal and solid-state display devices — Part 6: Measuring methods for liquid
crystal modules — Transmissive type
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
1) To be published.
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3.1
factory shipping conditions
factory shipping settings
factory shipping values
factory shipping mode
camera settings and parameters as configured by the manufacturer for shipping from the factory
3.2
image area
region of an image sensor in the focal plane that captures the part of the incident image and that
corresponds to the output image data
3.3
output image
image created by a DSC through capture of an optical image by an image sensor followed by processing
and then output through any communication means
3.4
primary notation
notation which describes feature name and value presented solely or most noticeably
3.5
ring pixel
light-sensitive pixels in the image sensor of a DSC, that are outside the image area and are used in the
image processing
Note 1 to entry: Examples of image processing are demosaicing, noise reduction, and spatial filtering.
4 Definition set of the product specifications of DSCs
4.1 Basic requirements
This International Standard does not mandate the inclusion and reporting of any features but provides
a reference on what presentation methods and written expressions should be used for particular
features. The requirements for the definition, measurement, and presentation of the set of DSC features
established in this International Standard are described below. Note well that the requirements do not
specify numerical values for any features that DSCs shall achieve. There are features included in this
International Standard with the paradoxical statement, “This International Standard does not cover
this feature.” These features are commonly found on many cameras. They are included for completeness
and to explicitly recognize that these features are only specified at the discretion of the manufacturer.
a) When a feature is described on the product, in catalogues, or in other documents, the presentation
method of the feature and its measured values shall comply with the following requirements:
1) Features and their values with factory shipping settings or modes shall be presented as the
primary notation of those features. The primary notation need not include the description of
the setting and measurement conditions. When additional values with different settings are
described, they shall include the details of the settings and measurement conditions.
2) The descriptions of features and their values that are not available through factory shipping
settings shall include the settings or modes that make these features available. Features
available in multiple settings or modes shall be made available with the setting or mode that is
assumed to be the most likely used and shall be presented if they affect the functionality.
3) Features with no default parameters or modes in the factory shipping setting shall be assigned
parameters or modes that are assumed to be the most likely used. They shall be presented if
they affect the functionality.
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4) Exceptions to the priority on the factory shipping setting may be given to certain features
defined in 4.2. They may be given when the above requirements are redundant or when the
descriptions with the other settings, parameters, or modes give the users more accurate and
definitive information.
b) For cameras with interchangeable lenses, the presentation of any features affected by the choice
of lens shall include information that identifies the lens (for instance, the model name of lens, type
of lens) attached to the camera and that produces, requires, or otherwise affects that feature. The
choice of the lens used in the specification of the feature is left to the discretion of the manufacturer.
c) The reported numerical values of features shall be based on measurements using the actual camera
and the standard methods of measurement and calculation. The values designed and verified by
the manufacturer may be used when the feature does not have an established measurement and/or
calculation method.
d) Variations in names and expressions for features in this fundamental set of features, such as
customary names and company-used names, may be used unless
1) the standard explicitly requires a name or an expression;
2) a variation in a name or expression could cause confusion with the name or expression of any
other feature in the set of features in this standard;
3) a variation in a name or an expression could cause a misunderstanding.
e) Specific requirements explicitly stated for any particular feature of this set shall have precedence
over any of these basic requirements.
f) Regardless of the specified number of significant figures for each feature in the definition set, the
number of decimal places may be omitted for integer values in the presentation.
EXAMPLE 4,0 times -> 4 times; 2,0 s -> 2 s; 2,0 m -> 2 m.
4.2 Definitions of specifications
4.2.1 General
Tables 1 to 7 specify the definition, the measurement, and the presentation of a set of fundamental
features of DSCs.
In the International Standards for individual features developed by ISO or CIPA, detailed ways of
indicating specifications and various characteristics are presented; however, they tend to be too
complicated for descriptions in catalogues and other materials for general consumers. Therefore,
Tables 1 to 7 give compact notations for individual features that are consistent with official standards
and are presented with examples of notation.
The following are conventions used in Tables 1 to 7.
a) The notation {xxx} means that xxx may be omitted from the description.
b) The notation [yyy | zzz] means that either yyy or zzz may be used in the description.
c) The word “company” used in the “Specifications (Definitions)” column refers to any supplier of the
DSC.
d) The phrase “depress the shutter button” refers to the operation of fully pressing the shutter button
as well as any other general means for starting exposure.
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4.2.2 Optical system
Table 1 specifies the definition, the measurement, and the presentation of a set of features for
optical systems.
Table 1 — Definitions of specifications and presentation method for optical system
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
1 available focal Range of distance along the optical axis between the — A clear or accurate measure-
length {of the secondary (rearmost) principal point and the available ment method in product form
lens} points of focus in image space when focusing on a has not been established for
subject at infinity DSCs with built-in lens.
Measurement method: — For commonly used lenses,
shooting angle of view can be
Shall comply with ISO 517.
calculated by the formula:
Presentation examples:
2 × arctan[diagonal length of
— 3,5 mm the image area/(2 × focal length
of lens)].
— 3,5 {mm} to 10,5 mm
 Presentation methods:
— The value based on the design may be reported.
— The value shall be given in units of mm.
— The value shall be reported with two or more sig-
nificant digits (by rounding off).
— For cameras with zoom function, Regardless of the
factory shipping values, the values available by zoom-
ing may be reported.
2 available Range of available focal length of a 35 mm film camera — “These items are an outline
{35 mm film} that has the same shooting angle of view as the lens of the materials in B.2.1. The
equivalent focal for the DSC last provision of “Presentation
length {of the methods” shall also apply.
Method for converting the focal length of a DSC lens to
lens}
35 mm {film} equivalent focal length: — Equating the shooting
angle of view for the lens of
35 mm {film} equivalent focal length = focal length of
the DSC with that of a 35 mm
DSC lens × [diagonal length of the image area of 35 mm
film camera, which has a
film (43,27 mm)]/(diagonal length of the image area of
24 mm × 32 mm image area
the image sensor)
with a diagonal of 43,27 mm:
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Table 1 (continued)
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
 Presentation methods: 2 × arctan[diagonal length of
a DSC image area/(2 × focal
— Diagonal length of the image area shall be used as
length of the lens of a DSC)]
the basis of conversion.
= 2 × arctan[diagonal length
— The value shall be given in units of mm.
of a 35 mm film image area/
— The value shall be reported as a whole number. (2 × equivalent focal length of
In the case that the value is larger than 100 mm, the the lens of a 35 mm film cam-
value may be rounded off to two or more significant era)]
digits.
allows one to calculate the
equivalent focal length for the
— For cameras with a zoom function, regardless of the
lens of a DSC as:
factory shipping values, the values available by zoom-
ing may be reported.
Equivalent focal length =
Focal length of the lens of a DSC
x
(Diagonal length of a 35 mm
film image area/Diagonal
length of the DSC image area)
where Diagonal length of a
35 mm film image area is
43,27 mm
3 available aper- Range of available apertures identified by their f-num- — The reporting of f-numbers
tures {(f-num- bers (f/D), where f is the focal length of the lens and D for available apertures shall
bers)} is an available, effective aperture of the lens comply with ISO 517 as outlined
to the left and the items listed
Presentation methods:
under “Presentation methods”.
— Presenting either the f-number of the fully open
— A clear or accurate measure-
aperture alone or the range of available f-numbers (for
ment method in product form
a zoom lens) is acceptable.
has not been established for
— When presenting a range of available apertures, DSCs with built-in lens.
the f-numbers for both the extreme wide angle of view
and the extreme narrow (telephoto) angle of view
shall be reported with the designations “(W)” and
“(T)”, respectively. In addition, the minimum f-number
for the fully open aperture across the entire range of
angles of view (focal lengths) shall be reported with
the designation “(Min)”.
 — When a neutral density filter has been used with
the aperture, the equivalent f-number(s) may be
reported with the designation “(ND)” or “(ND filter
used)”. The equivalent f-number is the f-number of
the aperture without the neutral density filter, which
applies the same light value as the aperture with the
neutral density filter does.
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Table 1 (continued)
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
 — When the equivalent f-number is reported for Exif,
designation “(Exif Equivalent)” shall be used.
— When an f-number is reported that depends upon
an unusual or particular feature of the DSC, the desig-
nation “(DSC-specific)” shall be used with a reporting
of the dependent feature.
Presentation examples:
— F2,8 (W); F4,8 (T); F5,6 (Min)
— F2,8 (W); 5,6 (Min); 4,8 (T)
— F2,8 (W); F5,6 (T) (ND filter used)
4 Zoom [ratio | — If the camera has only an optical zoom function,
magnification] select description (b).
— If the camera has only a digital zoom function,
select description (c).
— If the camera has both functions, the optical zoom
function shall be reported with higher priority.
— Regardless of the factory shipping values, available
values of zoom magnification may be reported.
(a) Available, maximum combined magnifications of the
optical zoom and the digital zoom
[total | com-
bined] zoom Presentation methods:
[ratio |
— The optical zoom magnification shall be reported
magnification]
conspicuously.
— The number of significant digits to be reported
shall be two or more (round the value to the nearest
decimal).
— Regardless of the factory shipping values, available
values of zoom magnification may be reported.
Presentation examples:
— 3x optical zoom (12x total zoom magnification)
— 3x optical zoom (12x total zoom magnification, 4x
by digital zoom)
— 3x optical zoom, 4x by digital zoom (12x total zoom
magnification)
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Table 1 (continued)
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
(b) optical Available ratios of focal length of the lens at the The measured “effective
zoom [ratio | extreme wide angle of view (W) and the extreme nar- zoom ratio (by the ratio of the
magnification] row (telephoto) angle of view (T) size of captured image)” at a
measurable subject distance
Presentation methods:
significantly differs from the
— The number of significant digits to be reported real zoom ratio calculated from
shall be two or more (round the value to the nearest the real focal length for the
decimal). subject at infinity, that is, at an
extremely large distance.
— The details (for example, whether actual value or
nominal value is used) of the focal length used in the
calculation of optical zoom ratio are not specified.
— Regardless of the factory shipping values, available
values of zoom magnification may be reported.
Presentation examples:
— 3,8x
— 5x
(c) digital zoom Available ratios of the length of the diagonal of the
[ratio | image area without digital zoom to that with full digi-
magnification] tal zoom
Presentation methods:
— The number of significant digits to be reported
shall be two or more (round the value to the nearest
decimal).
— The term “shooting digital zoom” may be shortened
to “digital zoom” (refer to the feature 60).
— Regardless of the factory shipping values, available
values of zoom magnification may be reported.
Presentation examples:
— 3,5x
— 5x
5 [focus | shoot- Subject distance at which shooting results in an
ing] [range | in-focus image of the subject
distance]
The shortest shooting distance means the smallest
subject distance that results in an in-focus image of
the subject.
The distance from the front surface of the lens or the
distance from the effective image area of the image
sensor shall be used. The manufacture may select
either of the two distance, and which distance is
selected shall be presented.
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Table 1 (continued)
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
Presentation methods:
— For the AF mode, report the subject distances for
which the AF function works, and for the MF mode,
report the subject distances for which an in-focus
image can manually be obtained at the most open
aperture.
— If the longest shooting distance is infinity, only the
shortest shooting distance need be reported.
— Regardless of the factory shipping values, available
subject distance may be reported. The shooting mode
(for example, macro mode) and/or the shooting condi-
tions (for example, maximum wide-angle) that achieve
the available subject distance shall be reported.
— The conditions for the f-number of the lens are not
specified, i.e. the shooting distance of any f-number
can be reported.
— The number of significant digits to be reported
should be one or more for less than 1 m distance and
two or more for 1 m or longer distance (round the
value to the nearest decimal).
Presentation examples:
— 50 cm to ∞ (W); 1,5 m to ∞ (T) (from lens surface)
— Shortest shooting distance 50 cm (W); 1,5 m (T)
(from lens front)
— 0,5 m to ∞ (W-end); 1,5 m to ∞ (T-end) (from effec-
tive image area)
— 1 {cm} to 50 cm (W) (from lens surface when in
macro mode)
6 lens [construc- The number of components, for instance, lenses, ele-
tion | ments, or groups of lenses, in a compound lens
configuration]
Presentation method:
Manufacturers may use any expression (conventional
or otherwise) to describe their lens construction and
configuration.
Presentation examples:
— 14 elements in 10 groups (3 aspherical lenses, 1 low
dispersion lens)
— 7 elements in 6 groups (1 double-side aspherical
lens, 1 set of cemented lens)
4.2.3 Camera control system
Table 2 specifies the definition, the measurement, and the presentation of a set of features for camera
control systems.
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Table 2 — Definitions of specifications and presentation method for camera control system
No. Features Guidelines for specifications (definitions) and Remarks
presentation
7 shutter type Type of shutter mechanism
Presentation method:
The common expressions or designations of the rele-
vant company may be used.
Presentation examples:
— Electronic system along with the mechanical shut-
ter
— Focal-plane shutter
8 available Range of available shutter speeds {(exposure times)} The reporting of available
shutter speeds shutter speed shall comply
Presentation methods:
{(exposure with ISO 516 as outlined to the
times)} left and the items listed under
— Available shutter speeds shall be reported in sec-
“Presentation methods”.
onds.
— Shutter speeds produced by any mode other than
by the factory setting mode may be reported together
to the shutter speeds with the factory setting mode
and they shall include a designation of that particular
mode.
— The available shutter speeds may be reported
together to the shutter speeds with the factory setting
mode. The available shutter speeds shall present a
note that describes they are combined shutter speeds
with all the available settings.
Presentation examples:
— 1 {second} to 1/2 000 second, 15 {seconds} to 1 s
(long shutter mode)
— 1/2 000 {second} to 8 seconds (automatic),
60 seconds at maximum (bulb mode)
— 1 {second} to 1/1 500 second (automatic mode),
15 {second} to 1/1 500 second (throughout all shoot-
ing modes)
9 [light | expo- Metering system and modes of exposure control
sure] metering
Presentation methods:
[system | mode]
— The customary expressions or designations of the
relevant company may be used, as long as such expres-
sions or designations are defined in either a published
standard or in the literature supplied by the company
and shipped with the DSC.
— Regardless of the factory shipping conditions, any
...