Overview
ISO 19093:2018 - Photography - Digital cameras - Measuring low-light performance - defines a standardized protocol for measuring the low-light performance of digital cameras, including camera phones and other mobile devices. The standard specifies test conditions, a multi-purpose test chart, camera setup and capture rules, and performance metrics (exposure, noise, texture, chroma). All defined performance aspects are intended to be tested together - selecting only some is out of scope.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to still digital cameras and mobile device cameras; results are intended to be comparable across devices.
- Test chart and illumination:
- Chart must include an ISO 14524 grey scale (≥16 levels, contrast ≥100:1), colour patches (≥18), low-contrast sinusoidal structures for texture, central concentric circles for focusing, and an 18% grey background.
- Minimum active chart height: 675 mm (approx. 30× full-frame sensor height).
- Illumination consistent with daylight per ISO 7589; light source must be dimmable without major spectral shifts.
- Camera setup and capture:
- Camera fixed on a test bench; 28 mm (35 mm equivalent) focal length and open aperture preferred when available; for interchangeable lenses, use same equivalent focal length and aperture.
- Use auto-focus (AF) for each capture; report AF mode and any focus failures.
- If comparing raw outputs, capture RAW and process with the same RAW processor/settings; otherwise use highest in-camera quality (lowest compression).
- Use auto ISO when available; handheld-limit exposure time defined as 1/f s (where f is 35 mm-equivalent focal length), with allowance for image stabilization.
- Performance aspects:
- Exposure time and level, noise (ISO 15739), texture/low-contrast detail (ISO/TS 19567-1), and chroma decrease are explicitly measured and reported.
- Results presentation: Procedures for presenting measured values and an example method for generating a single performance value are provided (Annex A). Test chart details are in Annex B.
Practical applications and users
- Camera manufacturers validating low-light performance during R&D and QA.
- Mobile device OEMs benchmarking camera modules.
- Test labs and reviewers producing comparable low-light camera comparisons.
- Component suppliers (sensors, lenses, ISP vendors) assessing system-level performance.
- Standards bodies and certification organizations requiring reproducible metrics.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 19093, low-light performance, digital cameras, camera phones, test chart, noise, texture, OECF, ISO sensitivity, autofocus, MTF.