--- title: "How to Change ISO on Mirrorless Camera" canonical: "https://gadgetguides.org/how-to-change-iso-on-mirrorless-camera/" author: "Arian" published: "2026-09-04T17:02:35+00:00" modified: "2026-09-04T17:02:35+00:00" language: "en-US" site: "Gadget Guides" description: "You've just picked up your mirrorless camera to shoot a sunset. The light is fading fast. You need to make the sensor more sensitive to light, but you're…" categories: "Cameras & Drones" attribution: "Gadget Guides (https://gadgetguides.org/)" --- # How to Change ISO on Mirrorless Camera You've just picked up your mirrorless camera to shoot a sunset. The light is fading fast. You need to make the sensor more sensitive to light, but you're hunting through menus while the sky changes colour. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. The fastest way to learn **how to change ISO on a mirrorless camera** is to first locate the specific control on your model, then practice the muscle memory until it becomes automatic. As of 2026, most mirrorless cameras offer a native ISO range of 100 to 25,600, with some extending to 50 or 102,400. The exact location of the ISO control varies between brands, but the core principle is the same. Let's walk through exactly where to find it and how to make the adjustment without ever taking your eye from the viewfinder. ## Quick Answer Press the ISO button on your camera. It sits near the shutter release on most models. Turn the main dial to change the value. Watch the number change in your viewfinder or screen. Release the button to lock in the setting. ![how to change ISO on mirrorless camera](https://gadgetguides.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/how-to-change-iso-on-mirrorless-camera-mtn7c89v.webp) ## Where to Find the ISO Button on Your Mirrorless Camera The ISO button is almost always on the top plate of the camera body. On Sony mirrorless cameras, you will find it on the right shoulder, just behind the shutter button. It is a small button you press with your index finger while turning a dial with your thumb. Canon places the ISO button in a similar spot, near the shutter release on the EOS R series. Fujifilm famously uses a dedicated ISO dial on the top left of the camera body for its X-T and X-Pro series. Nikon mirrorless cameras, like the Z8 and Z6, put the ISO button on the right side of the top plate, near the shutter. If you cannot find a dedicated button, check the camera's quick menu or function menu. Many entry-level mirrorless models hide the ISO setting behind a Q button or a customizable Fn button. The quick menu typically shows an icon that looks like a camera with a circle inside it. That is the ISO symbol. Some cameras let you assign ISO to a custom control dial. For example, the front dial on many Sony cameras can be set to control ISO directly. This is a common setup for photographers who shoot in changing light. You can set this up in the custom button menu of your camera. For cameras with a touchscreen, you can often tap the ISO value on the screen and slide your finger up or down to change it. This is a fast method that does not require any button presses. It works well when the camera is on a tripod or held at waist level. The key is to know where your specific model puts the ISO control. Manufacturer specifications indicate that the location varies by brand and model series. Check your camera manual or the support page for your exact model if you are unsure. ## Why Mirrorless Cameras Handle ISO Differently Than DSLRs Mirrorless cameras show the effect of ISO change in the electronic viewfinder in real time. DSLRs do not. This is the biggest difference. You can see the noise level, brightness, and overall exposure before you press the shutter button. DSLRs use an optical viewfinder that shows the scene through the lens. The ISO setting does not affect the viewfinder brightness. You have to take a test shot or check the exposure meter to know if your ISO is correct. Mirrorless cameras eliminate this guesswork. The control placement also differs. Mirrorless cameras often have fewer physical buttons than DSLRs. They rely more on touchscreens and customizable buttons. This can make finding the ISO button harder for beginners. But once you customize the controls, mirrorless cameras offer faster access than most DSLRs. Sensor technology is another factor. Mirrorless cameras use the same sensor for both imaging and autofocus. The ISO setting affects both image quality and autofocus performance. At high ISO values, the autofocus may struggle in low light, though modern mirrorless cameras handle this well. Per manufacturer documentation, mirrorless cameras generally have better high ISO performance than DSLRs of the same generation. The lack of a mirror box allows for larger sensors and more advanced noise reduction algorithms. The latest models can shoot at ISO 12,800 with usable results. The electronic viewfinder also lets you use features like focus peaking and zebra patterns. These are linked to the exposure settings. They help you nail the exposure, including ISO, more accurately than a DSLR can. For a deeper understanding of how ISO fits into the exposure triangle, take a look at getting your exposure right. The principles are the same for mirrorless cameras. ISO, aperture, and shutter speed remain the foundation of photography, regardless of the camera type. ## The Four Ways to Change ISO (Buttons, Dials, Menus, and Touch) There are four distinct methods to change ISO on a mirrorless camera. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing all four lets you choose the fastest method for your situation. ### Method 1: Dedicated ISO Button + Dial This is the most common method on mid-range and professional mirrorless cameras. You press the ISO button with your index finger or thumb, then turn the main dial to change the value. The ISO number changes in the viewfinder or on the rear screen. Release the button to lock the setting. This method is fast and tactile. You do not need to look at the camera body. Once you know the button location, you can change ISO without removing your eye from the viewfinder. It works well in any lighting condition. ### Method 2: Dedicated ISO Dial Fujifilm is the most prominent brand using this method. The X-T series and X-Pro series have a physical dial on the top left of the camera. You rotate the dial to the desired ISO value. The dial has click stops for each full stop of ISO, plus an A position for auto ISO. This method is the fastest of all. You can see and feel the setting. It is also the most intuitive. You can set ISO before you even turn the camera on. The downside is that it takes up space on the camera body, and not all brands offer it. ### Method 3: Quick Menu or Function Menu On entry-level models or cameras with fewer buttons, you access ISO through the quick menu. You press the Q button or a custom Fn button, then navigate to the ISO icon using the joystick or touchscreen. You then select the value from a list. This method is slower than the button+dial method. It requires you to look at the screen and navigate menus. It is fine for static shooting but not ideal for fast-paced situations. Many photographers reprogram a function button to act as a dedicated ISO button to avoid this method. ### Method 4: Touchscreen Some mirrorless cameras, especially those from Canon and Sony, let you change ISO by tapping the ISO value on the touchscreen and sliding your finger up or down. This is a visual method that works well when the camera is on a tripod or held at waist level. The touchscreen method is fast and intuitive. It does not require any button presses. However, it is not practical when the camera is at eye level, as you would need to lower it to touch the screen. It also works less well in cold weather when you are wearing gloves. The table below compares the four methods for speed, ease of use, and suitability for different shooting styles. | Method | Speed | Ease of Use | Best For | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Button + Dial | Fast | Medium | All-round shooting | | Dedicated Dial | Very Fast | Easy | Fujifilm users | | Quick Menu | Slow | Medium | Beginners, static scenes | | Touchscreen | Medium | Easy | Tripod, waist-level shooting | ## Brand-by-Brand: Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, and More Different brands have different approaches to ISO control. Knowing the specific layout of your brand saves you time and frustration. Here is a breakdown of the most common systems. ![Dedicated ISO dial](https://gadgetguides.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/dedicated-iso-dial-mtn7c9yo.webp) ### Sony (α7, α6×00, α9, α1 series) Sony uses a button plus dial system. The ISO button is on the top plate, just behind the shutter button. You press it with your index finger and turn the rear dial with your thumb. Some models also allow you to assign ISO to the front dial. Per the official [Sony support page](https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/alpha-7-series), this is the standard configuration for the α7 series. Sony cameras also have a touchscreen that can control ISO, but only when the camera is held away from the eye. The quick menu (Fn button) also includes ISO, but this is slower. Most Sony users prefer the button method. ### Canon (EOS R series) Canon places the ISO button on the top plate, near the shutter button. The system is similar to Sony. You press the button and turn the main dial. The EOS R5 and R6 also have a touch-and-drag feature on the touchscreen. You can tap the ISO value and slide your finger. Canon's entry-level models, like the EOS R50, do not have a dedicated ISO button. You must use the quick menu or the touchscreen. This is a common frustration for beginners. ### Fujifilm (X-T, X-Pro, X-H, X-S series) Fujifilm is unique. The X-T and X-Pro series have a dedicated ISO dial on the top left. The dial has click stops from 200 to 12,800, plus an A position for auto ISO. The [official Fujifilm support page](https://fujifilm-x.com/support/) confirms this layout for the X-T5. The X-H series uses a button plus dial system, similar to Sony. The X-S series uses a PSAM mode dial and a standard ISO button. Fujifilm offers the most tactile ISO control of any brand. Aggregate reviews report that this is a major selling point for street and travel photographers. ### Nikon (Z series) Nikon uses a button plus dial system. The ISO button is on the top plate, near the shutter. You press it and turn the rear dial. Some models, like the Z8 and Z9, also have a dedicated ISO button on the front of the camera for vertical shooting. Nikon's menu system is straightforward. The ISO setting is also available in the i-menu, which you access with a single button press. This is a good backup method. ### Panasonic and OM System Panasonic LUMIX cameras use a button plus dial system. The ISO button is on the top plate. Some models have a dedicated ISO dial on the top left, similar to Fujifilm. The LUMIX S5 series has a customisable front dial that many users set to ISO. OM System (formerly Olympus) uses a button plus dial system. The ISO button is on the top plate near the shutter. The menu system is deep, so customizing a function button for ISO is recommended. ## Step-by-Step: The Most Common Way to Change ISO (Button + Dial) This is the most universal method. It works on Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and many other brands. Here is the exact process. ![ISO button](https://gadgetguides.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/iso-button-mtn7cbmz.webp) **Step 1: Find the ISO button.** Look on the top plate of the camera, near the shutter button. It is a small button, often unlabelled or marked with a small icon. On Sony cameras, it is the button on the right shoulder, just behind the shutter. On Canon, it is the same position. **Step 2: Press and hold the ISO button.** Keep it pressed down. Do not release it yet. You will feel a slight click. **Step 3: Turn the main dial.** While holding the ISO button, use your thumb to turn the rear dial or the front dial, depending on your camera. The ISO value will change in the viewfinder or on the rear screen. You can see the number go up or down. **Step 4: Release the button.** When you reach the desired ISO value, release the ISO button. The setting is locked in. You can now shoot. **Step 5: Confirm the change.** Look at the shooting information display in your viewfinder or on the screen. The ISO value should match what you set. This entire process takes about one to two seconds once you are familiar with it. It is the fastest method for most cameras. The key is to practice until you can do it without looking at the camera body. If you are shooting in a low-light situation, consider using a slightly higher ISO than you think you need. You can always reduce noise in post-processing, but you cannot recover a blurry shot from a slow shutter speed. If you are new to manual exposure, taking full control of your camera will help you understand how ISO interacts with aperture and shutter speed. The shift from auto to manual gives you full control over your images.