To complement the speed of the f1.8 lens, the camera's low-light mode automatically adjusts the ISOsensitivity up to ISO 12, 800 to take sharp, full-resolution photos in dim conditions, and an easily accessible built-in pop-up flash and AF illuminator brightens low-lit subjects, reduces red-eye and fills in dark areas.
The camcorder has a wide ISO gain setting range that allows sensitivity to be set between ISO 200 and ISO 3200 (in FILM CAM), or gain adjusted between 18 dB and-6 dB (in VIDEO CAM).
The P520 also features an 18.1-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor and high ISOsensitivity to ensure quality images even in low-light conditions.