Canon EOS R6 Mark III vs Sony a7 V: read noise comparison

The Canon EOS R6 Mark III was measured at 31 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 1.13 DN, or 5.2 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 800, cutting input-referred read noise by about 2.3 stop. From ISO 800 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 73,487 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 460.

The Sony a7 V (ILCE-7M5) was measured at 37 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 0.54 DN, or 2.4 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1000 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 71,138 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 450.