Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D: read noise comparison
Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 550D 11.6 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 5D 27.1 e⁻ (ISO 100).
Canon EOS 550D
The Canon EOS 550D was measured at 8 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (100) read noise is 6.45 DN, or 11.6 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 3200 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 25,726 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 180.
Canon EOS 5D
The Canon EOS 5D 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 1.96 DN, or 27.1 electrons at the sensor. Read noise keeps falling across the measured range, so the camera isn't fully ISO-invariant there. Settings above ISO 1600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 54,794 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1380.
Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D read noise table
| ISO | Canon EOS 550D | Canon EOS 5D |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | – | 1.932 |
| 100 | 6.453 | 1.959 |
| 125 | – | 2.346 |
| 160 | – | 2.969 |
| 200 | 6.869 | 2.173 |
| 250 | – | 2.621 |
| 320 | – | 3.095 |
| 400 | 8.168 | 2.378 |
| 500 | – | 2.928 |
| 640 | – | 3.655 |
| 800 | 11.632 | 3.095 |
| 1000 | – | 3.811 |
| 1250 | – | 4.659 |
| 1600 | 19.427 | 4.659 |
| 3200 | 34.776 | 9.448 |
| 6400 | 64.893 | – |
| 12800 | 122.786 | – |
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