How to Change ISO on Camera — Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm Step-by-Step

How to Change ISO — The Three Universal Methods

Before we get into brand-specific instructions, here’s the landscape: almost every camera offers ISO access through at least one of these three routes.

Method 1: Dedicated ISO Button

Many mid-range and professional camera bodies have a physical button on the top or back plate labeled “ISO.” Press it and rotate the main control dial (or rear dial) to change the ISO value. This is the fastest method — one press and a scroll. If your camera has this button, memorize it and use it.

Method 2: Quick Menu (Q, Fn, i button)

Most modern cameras have a customizable “quick menu” accessible by pressing a dedicated button (often Q, Fn, or i). ISO is almost always included in this menu by default. Navigate to the ISO field and use the scroll wheel or touchscreen to change it. This is the second fastest method and works on most cameras without a dedicated ISO button.

Method 3: Main Camera Menu

ISO is accessible in every camera’s main shooting menu — usually within the first one or two screens of the Shooting/Camera settings tab. This is the slowest method but works as a guaranteed fallback.

How to Change ISO on Canon Cameras

Canon Rebel Series (T7i, T8i, SL3, R50, R100)

1. Press the Q button on the back of the camera to open Quick Controls.
2. Use the 4-way controller or touchscreen to highlight the ISO box (top row, usually second or third item).
3. Rotate the Main Dial (top dial) or tap the touchscreen to change the ISO value.
4. Half-press the shutter to confirm and return to shooting.

Tip: On the Canon R50, you can also assign ISO to the customizable M-Fn button for faster access. Do this through Menu → Customize Controls → M-Fn Button.

Canon 90D, 7D Mark II, and Higher DSLRs

1. Press the dedicated ISO button on the top of the camera (near the shutter button or on the top plate).
2. Rotate the Main Dial to scroll through ISO values.
3. Release the ISO button to confirm.

Canon R6 Mark II, R5, R3 (Professional Mirrorless)

1. Press the ISO button on the top plate.
2. Rotate the Main Dial or Quick Control Dial to change the value.
3. Alternatively, press the M-Fn button (multi-function button near shutter) and rotate the dial — depending on your custom settings.

Setting Auto ISO on Canon

1. Select ISO → AUTO in the ISO selection screen (scroll past the maximum native ISO).
2. Go to Menu → Shooting Menu → ISO Speed Settings → ISO Speed Range and set your maximum (e.g., 6400).
3. Go to ISO Speed Settings → Min. Shutter Speed for Auto and set a minimum (e.g., 1/200s, or “Auto” which uses the focal length reciprocal rule).

How to Change ISO on Nikon Cameras

Nikon D3500, D3400 (Entry-Level DSLRs)

1. Press the i button on the back of the camera to open the information display.
2. Use the multi-selector to navigate to the ISO entry in the list.
3. Press OK, then scroll with the multi-selector or command dial to change the value.

Alternatively: Menu → Photo Shooting Menu → ISO Sensitivity Settings → ISO Sensitivity.

Nikon D5600, D7500, D500 (Mid-Range DSLRs)

1. Press and hold the ISO button (on the left side of the camera back, near the viewfinder).
2. While holding it, rotate the Main Command Dial (near the shutter button) to change the ISO value.
3. The current ISO displays in the viewfinder and on the top LCD.

Nikon Z6 III, Z8, Z9 (Mirrorless)

1. Press the dedicated ISO button on the top of the camera (same principle as the DSLRs).
2. Rotate the command dial to change the value.
3. Alternatively, access via the i menu on the back of the camera.

Setting Auto ISO on Nikon

1. Menu → Photo Shooting Menu → ISO Sensitivity Settings.
2. Turn on “Auto ISO Sensitivity Control.”
3. Set “Maximum Sensitivity” (e.g., ISO 6400).
4. Set “Minimum Shutter Speed” (choose a specific value like 1/200s, or “Auto” which uses the focal length reciprocal).

How to Change ISO on Sony Cameras

Sony A6000, A6100, A6400, A6700 (APS-C Mirrorless)

1. Press the Fn button (Function button on the back of the camera) to open the function menu.
2. Navigate to the ISO field (it should be in the default Fn menu).
3. Use the control wheel to select a value.

Faster method: Assign ISO to a custom button. Go to Menu → Setup → Customize Operation → Custom Key Settings → choose a button (e.g., C1 or C2) → assign “ISO.”

Sony A7 Series (A7 IV, A7C, A7R V)

1. Press Fn to open the function menu → navigate to ISO.
2. Or assign ISO to a custom button: Menu → Setup → Custom Key/Dial Settings → assign ISO to your preferred button.
3. With a custom button assigned: press the button, rotate the control dial to change ISO.

Setting Auto ISO on Sony

1. Select “ISO AUTO” in the ISO menu.
2. Menu → Camera Settings 1 → find “ISO AUTO Min. SS” (Minimum Shutter Speed for Auto ISO) — set a value (e.g., 1/200s).
3. Menu → Camera Settings 1 → “ISO AUTO Max. ISO” — set your maximum (e.g., ISO 6400).

Sony also offers “ISO AUTO Min. SS Standard” — a setting that automatically adjusts the minimum shutter speed based on focal length (similar to Nikon’s Auto minimum shutter speed).

How to Change ISO on Fujifilm Cameras

Fujifilm X-T Series (X-T5, X-T4, X-T30)

The X-T series has a dedicated physical ISO dial on the top of the camera — the only major mirrorless system that still does this. Simply rotate the ISO dial to your desired value. It clicks into position like a film camera. ISO AUTO is accessible by lifting the center of the dial and rotating to the “A” position.

Fujifilm X-S Series, X-A Series (No Physical ISO Dial)

1. Press the Q button on the back to open Quick Menu.
2. Navigate to the ISO field.
3. Use the command dial or the touchscreen to change the value.

Setting Auto ISO on Fujifilm

1. For cameras with the ISO dial: rotate to the “A” position (requires lifting the center of the dial on X-T series).
2. Configure: Menu → Shooting Setting → ISO Auto Setting → set Max Sensitivity, Min Sensitivity, and Min Shutter Speed.

How to Change ISO on Olympus / OM System and Panasonic Cameras

Olympus / OM System (OM-5, OM-1)

1. Press the OK button to open the Super Control Panel.
2. Navigate to ISO (usually displayed with the sensitivity value).
3. Rotate the front or rear dial to change the value.

Many OM System cameras also allow assigning ISO to a function button for faster access.

Panasonic (G series, S series)

1. Press the Fn1 button (or the Q.MENU button, depending on model) to open the Quick Menu.
2. Navigate to ISO.
3. Use the control dial to change the value.

How to Change ISO on Smartphones

ISO control on smartphones is typically available in Pro Mode or Manual Mode:

• iPhone: ISO is not directly adjustable in the native Camera app. Use a third-party app like Halide or ProCamera for manual ISO control. iPhone adjusts ISO automatically and very well in most situations.
• Samsung Galaxy: Open Camera → tap the gear icon or swipe to Pro mode → find ISO on the slider on the left side of the screen.
• Google Pixel: Open Camera → tap Photo → Pro (if available on your model) → adjust ISO slider.

Pro Tips for Fast ISO Changes in the Field

Assign ISO to a Custom Button

If your camera allows custom button assignment (most mirrorless cameras and mid-range+ DSLRs do), assign ISO to a frequently used button with a clean thumb position. This lets you change ISO with one button press and a dial scroll without taking the camera from your eye. This is the single best workflow improvement you can make for fast-changing light situations.

Learn Your Camera’s ISO Behavior in Auto Mode

Before a high-stakes shoot, test what ISO your camera gravitates toward in Auto ISO for various indoor lighting conditions. This tells you whether your Max ISO and minimum shutter speed settings are calibrated correctly, so you’re not surprised mid-shoot.

Use Half-Stop or Third-Stop Increments

Most cameras offer ISO in 1/3-stop increments (100, 125, 160, 200…). For fine-tuned exposure control, use these smaller steps rather than jumping full stops. This is especially useful when balancing a specific exposure near the edge of acceptable noise.

Related ISO Guides

Now that you know how to change ISO on your camera, make sure you understand when and why to change it. See our complete ISO photography guide for everything from base ISO and noise management to Auto ISO configuration in depth. For the relationship between ISO and the other two exposure settings, read ISO vs aperture vs shutter speed. For beginners just starting out, ISO photography for beginners has everything you need in one place.

FAQ: How to Change ISO on Camera