Canon EOS 1D Mark II N vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 1D Mark II N 26 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 1D Mark III 21.3 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Canon EOS 1D Mark II N

The Canon EOS 1D Mark II N was measured at 15 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.57 DN, or 26 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 640 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 1600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 66,003 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1670.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III was measured at 18 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 6400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 4.86 DN, or 21.3 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1600 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 3200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 67,078 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 440.

Canon EOS 1D Mark II N vs Canon EOS 1D Mark III read noise table

ISO	Canon EOS 1D Mark II N	Canon EOS 1D Mark III
50	1.424	4.790
100	1.569	4.857
125	1.790	5.776
160	2.129	6.916
200	1.840	5.098
250	2.158	6.190
320	2.621	7.516
400	2.549	5.979
500	3.074	7.413
640	3.784	9.126
800	4.257	8.574
1000	5.315	10.483
1250	6.635	12.996
1600	8.168	13.833
2000	–	17.630
2500	–	21.556
3200	16.336	26.538
6400	–	54.948

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