Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3000: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D3 15 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D3000 17.4 e⁻ (ISO 100).

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 D3000

The Nikon D3000 was measured at 6 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.33 DN, or 17.4 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 30,505 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 750.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3000 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D3	Nikon D3000
100	4.408	2.329
125	4.408	–
160	4.408	–
200	4.408	3.706
250	5.856	–
320	7.568	–
400	4.993	6.453
500	6.635	–
640	8.456	–
800	6.498	12.295
1000	8.340	–
1250	10.411	–
1600	13.086	24.761
2000	16.564	–
2500	20.966	–
3200	26.355	49.522
4000	33.359	–
5000	42.224	–
6400	53.446	–
8000	66.718	–
10000	84.449	–
12800	106.891	–
25600	213.783	–

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