EXIF ISO
The sensor sensitivity used to capture the photo. Higher ISO means a brighter image captured with more noise — a strong clue about the lighting conditions and device.
Quick facts
| Tag ID | 0x8827 PhotographicSensitivity |
|---|---|
| Stored in | ExifIFD |
| Example value | ISO 100, ISO 400, ISO 3200 (often stored as 100, 400, 3200) |
| Also known as | ISOSpeedRatings, PhotographicSensitivity, iso speed, sensitivity |
| Privacy risk | Low risk. A capture setting, not an identifier. |
What the ISO tag actually means
ISO describes how the camera amplifies the signal from the sensor. The base ISO of a device is usually the lowest number it offers; higher values mean the camera was working in dim light, or the photographer deliberately brightened the image.
Why it matters
ISO is one of the three exposure settings (with aperture and shutter speed) that together form a distinctive capture signature. It also indirectly reveals something about the environment — a very high ISO usually means a night or indoor shot.
What to do about it
Safe to keep. It is one of the most commonly used EXIF fields for filtering in photo libraries.
Who writes this tag
Every camera and smartphone that records EXIF.
Sources and how this was verified
Tag IDs and encodings are taken from the CIPA DC-007-Translation (Exif 3.0) and ISO/IEC 21222-1 specifications. The privacy rating is our own editorial judgement, based on what each field can uniquely identify. Every entry in this reference is checked against real files produced by the cameras, phones and editors we test with.
- CIPA DC-007-Translation 2019 (Exif 3.0) — tag identifiers and IFD structure
- ISO/IEC 21222-1:2015 — data element registration
- Adobe XMP Specification (2024) — XMP packet properties
- IPTC IIM 4.2 — news/photo metadata field numbers
See our editorial and review policyfor how we test, rate and correct these entries. Found an error? Tell us.
Related EXIF tags
The aperture (f-number) your camera lens was set to when the photo was taken. It tells you how wide the lens opening was, which narrows down the camera and lens model.
How long the sensor was exposed. Stored either as a fraction (1/250) or as an APEX value, and it reveals whether the photo was a sharp daylight shot or a long night exposure.
The manufacturer of the camera, such as Canon, Sony, Nikon or Apple. It identifies the brand of device that produced the file.
The application that last wrote the file — a camera firmware, a phone, or an editor such as Lightroom or Photoshop. It can reveal your editing workflow.
ISO FAQ
Common questions about the EXIF iso tag, its values and its privacy implications.
Where is ISO stored in EXIF?
ISO is stored in the Exif IFD under tag 0x8827, originally named ISOSpeedRatings and renamed PhotographicSensitivity in Exif 2.3. Some cameras write it into the MakerNote as well.
Does ISO reveal anything private about a photo?
No. ISO is purely a capture setting. It tells you how bright the scene was and how the camera compensated, but it contains no location, device serial, or personal information.
What is a normal ISO value for a phone photo?
Phone photos typically range from ISO 25 to ISO 4000. Values above roughly ISO 3200 are usually night shots or heavy low-light processing, and modern phones often apply multi-frame noise reduction that makes the recorded ISO misleading.
Cite this reference
If you are writing about the EXIF iso tag, you are welcome to link to this entry. It is maintained, versioned and reviewed on a published schedule.
“EXIF ISO (0x8827 PhotographicSensitivity), freexifdata.com EXIF Tag Reference, reviewed October 20, 2026.”