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

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 1D X 30.7 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 15.1 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Canon EOS 1D X

The Canon EOS 1D X was measured at 31 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 5.31 DN, or 30.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 10000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 82,802 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 580.

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

The Canon EOS 1D X Mark II was measured at 31 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 409600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.22 DN, or 15.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 5000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 108,359 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 680.

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

ISO	Canon EOS 1D X	Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
50	5.242	–
100	5.315	2.219
125	5.352	2.567
160	5.389	2.071
200	5.028	2.362
250	4.959	2.828
320	5.028	2.412
400	5.134	2.848
500	5.315	3.434
640	5.540	3.138
800	5.464	3.864
1000	5.696	4.659
1250	6.063	4.790
1600	6.453	5.816
2000	6.916	7.311
2500	7.890	7.621
3200	8.815	9.514
4000	11.632	11.632
5000	12.996	13.086
6400	15.242	16.111
8000	19.562	20.252
10000	22.471	25.457
12800	26.723	32.000
16000	34.535	40.224
20000	43.111	50.914
25600	53.817	63.119
32000	66.718	79.341
40000	83.865	100.427
51200	103.968	123.640
102400	198.088	216.767
204800	362.039	349.706
409600	–	617.374

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