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

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 1D 11.2 e⁻ (ISO 200), Canon EOS 1D Mark II 26.4 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Canon EOS 1D

The Canon EOS 1D was measured at 12 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 2.10 DN, or 11.2 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 500 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 21,961 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1070.

Canon EOS 1D Mark II

The Canon EOS 1D Mark II 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 1.60 DN, or 26.4 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 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 65,323 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1640.

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

ISO	Canon EOS 1D	Canon EOS 1D Mark II
50	–	1.454
100	1.866	1.602
125	–	1.866
160	–	2.219
200	2.099	1.815
250	2.378	2.158
320	2.676	2.567
400	3.160	2.395
500	3.706	2.888
640	4.500	3.506
800	5.579	3.891
1000	6.821	4.790
1250	8.398	5.979
1600	10.556	7.311
3200	20.535	14.520

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