ISO 19093:2018
ISO · 2018-08-00

Photography - Digital cameras - Measuring low-light performance

试验 Replaced ICS 37.040.10 Cited by 2

1Key Takeaways

This document specifies a protocol to measure the low-light performance of a camera. It is applicable to the measurement of digital cameras including camera phones and other mobile devices. The performance aspects defined in this document are intended to all be tested. Picking one or some of them by the tester is out o…

2Expert Interpretation

This in-depth analysis of the ISO 19093:2018 international standard covers the entire low-light performance testing process for digital cameras. From test chart specifications and camera parameter settings to measurement methods for six core metrics, including exposure time, noise, and color saturation, this guide provides structured comparison tables and analysis of technological evolution to help you master a professional-level low-light photography evaluation system.

Standard Overview and Technical Background

ISO 19093:2018 is the first international standard specifically for measuring the low-light performance of digital cameras (including mobile phone cameras). This standard addresses the industry's previous lack of a unified testing methodology. By standardizing the testing environment and quantitative evaluation system, it enables comparable low-light performance across different devices.

Core Test Elements

Test Dimensions Measurement Parameters Reference Standards Typical Thresholds
Exposure Time Handheld Limit Exposure Time (1/f seconds) CIPA DC-011 ≤0.05s(28mm)
Noise Level Visual Noise Value (VN) ISO 15739 ≤5
  • ISO 14524 grayscale steps (contrast ≥ 100:1)
  • 18-color patches (single-color patch area ＞ 2% of image height)
  • Sine Siemens star (144 cycles)
  • 18% neutral gray background

Actual case: A certain brand of full-frame camera under 3lx illumination: Exposure time 0.125s (4-stop image stabilization enabled) | Noise value 7.9 | Color saturation retention rate 41%

Technology Evolution Analysis

Compared with traditional testing methods, this standard innovatively:

  1. Introduces Texture MTF to evaluate the impact of noise reduction algorithms on low-contrast details
  2. Uses Relative Chroma Decrease (Cdecrease) to quantify color saturation loss
  3. Specifies test specifications for multi-frame synthesis technology (effective exposure time must be specified)

Implementation Recommendations

Suggested testing process:

1. Benchmark test Obtain a reference image at an illumination of ≥1000lx
2. 3. Data Collection Collect 4+ images at each illumination point

Note: It is necessary to record variables that may affect the results, such as the anti-shake mode and RAW conversion software.

3Version History

ISO 19093:2018 2018-08-00
ISO 19093:2018/Amd 1:2020 Amd 1/2020 newer 2020-06-29

4Standard Metadata

Standard Number
ISO 19093:2018
Status
Replaced
Publisher
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Type
试验
Publication Date
2018-08-00
ICS Classification
37.040.10 (Photographic equipment. Projectors) 
Adopted Standard
17/30289132 DC-2017,IDT;BS ISO 19093-2018,IDT;DS/ISO 19093-2018,IDT

5Citation Network

2
Cite this standard
5
Referenced herein
Standards that cite ISO 19093:2018
Photography — Electronic still picture imaging terminology — Part 2: Other defined terms Photography — Digital cameras — Measuring low-light performance
Referenced by ISO 19093:2018
IEC 61966-2-1:1999 ISO 14524:2009 ISO 15739:2017 ISO 7589:2002 ISO/TS 19567-1:2016

6Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO 19093:2018?
ISO 19093:2018 — Photography - Digital cameras - Measuring low-light performance is an international standard developed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This document specifies a protocol to measure the low-light performance of a camera. It is applicable to the measurement of digital cameras including camera phones and other mobile devices. The performance aspects defined in this document are...
What does ISO 19093:2018 cover?
This standard covers: This document specifies a protocol to measure the low-light performance of a camera. It is applicable to the measurement of digital cameras including camera phones and other mobile devices. The performance aspects defined in this document are intended to all be tested. Picking one or some of them...
Who should use this standard?
This standard is intended for organizations, professionals, and stakeholders involved in various industries and sectors. It is applicable to manufacturers, service providers, regulatory bodies, and certification organizations.
What is the latest version of ISO 19093:2018?
The current published version is ISO 19093:2018, published on 2018-08-00. Always check for amendments or pending revisions.
How do I purchase ISO 19093:2018?
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