Nikon D3 vs Nikon D300: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D3 15 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D300 9.2 e⁻ (ISO 160).

Nikon D3

The Nikon D3 was measured at 23 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 4.41 DN, or 15 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 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 55,816 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 680.

Nikon D300

The Nikon D300 was measured at 19 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 6.73 DN, or 9.2 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 1600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 22,292 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 220.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D300 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D3	Nikon D300
100	4.408	6.453
125	4.408	6.498
160	4.408	6.727
200	4.408	7.674
250	5.856	8.877
320	7.568	10.267
400	4.993	12.295
500	6.635	15.032
640	8.456	18.126
800	6.498	22.009
1000	8.340	27.096
1250	10.411	33.591
1600	13.086	41.355
2000	16.564	52.710
2500	20.966	65.345
3200	26.355	82.711
4000	33.359	103.968
5000	42.224	130.690
6400	53.446	164.279
8000	66.718	–
10000	84.449	–
12800	106.891	–
25600	213.783	–

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