Noise like film grain, is an imperfection in the digital image, usually manifesting itself as speckles of foreign colour. The most common cause is a high ISO setting, but some cameras have a noise reduction facility within the menu. Noise can also be removed with mixed success in an Image Manipulation program.

Recent technology has resulted in an improved performance when pushing a digital sensor up to a high ISO setting, but this may only be found in more expensive cameras. To avoid noise in any situation, only increase the ISO value from 100 or 200 when absolutely necessary.