Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 5DS: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 5D Mark III 27.7 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 5DS 13.1 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III was measured at 28 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 6.45 DN, or 27.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 8000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 25600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 61,512 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 430.

Canon EOS 5DS

The Canon EOS 5DS was measured at 21 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 12800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 5.62 DN, or 13.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 2500 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 33,547 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Canon EOS 5DS read noise table

ISO	Canon EOS 5D Mark III	Canon EOS 5DS
50	6.498	5.618
100	6.453	5.618
125	8.056	5.657
160	5.464	5.856
200	6.727	5.938
250	8.456	6.148
320	5.979	6.453
400	7.311	6.916
500	9.318	7.674
640	6.774	8.456
800	8.574	9.781
1000	10.778	11.081
1250	9.318	13.177
1600	11.632	15.455
2000	14.420	19.835
2500	14.320	22.471
3200	18.126	27.858
4000	22.471	34.297
5000	27.096	39.947
6400	34.297	48.840
8000	42.518	–
10000	47.505	–
12800	59.714	96.336
16000	74.028	–
20000	92.411	–
25600	114.563	–
51200	218.275	–
102400	380.038	–

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