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

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Canon EOS 5D 27.1 e⁻ (ISO 100), Canon EOS 5D Mark III 27.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

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

ISO	Canon EOS 5D	Canon EOS 5D Mark III
50	1.932	6.498
100	1.959	6.453
125	2.346	8.056
160	2.969	5.464
200	2.173	6.727
250	2.621	8.456
320	3.095	5.979
400	2.378	7.311
500	2.928	9.318
640	3.655	6.774
800	3.095	8.574
1000	3.811	10.778
1250	4.659	9.318
1600	4.659	11.632
2000	–	14.420
2500	–	14.320
3200	9.448	18.126
4000	–	22.471
5000	–	27.096
6400	–	34.297
8000	–	42.518
10000	–	47.505
12800	–	59.714
16000	–	74.028
20000	–	92.411
25600	–	114.563
51200	–	218.275
102400	–	380.038

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