Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 550D 11.6 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 5D Mark II 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 Mark II

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was measured at 22 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 6.77 DN, or 27.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1250 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 6400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 61,399 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 400.

Canon EOS 550D vs Canon EOS 5D Mark II read noise table

ISO	Canon EOS 550D	Canon EOS 5D Mark II
50	–	6.821
100	6.453	6.774
125	–	8.515
160	–	5.426
200	6.869	6.869
250	–	8.574
320	–	5.938
400	8.168	7.413
500	–	9.383
640	–	6.821
800	11.632	8.574
1000	–	11.004
1250	–	9.918
1600	19.427	12.381
2000	–	15.562
2500	–	19.562
3200	34.776	24.420
4000	–	30.910
5000	–	38.319
6400	64.893	49.867
12800	122.786	97.006
25600	–	194.012

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