Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3S: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D3500 3.8 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D3S 25.1 e⁻ (ISO 200).

Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 was measured at 9 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 0.45 DN, or 3.8 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 12800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 33,019 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 830.

Nikon D3S

The Nikon D3S was measured at 27 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 5.13 DN, or 25.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 4000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 12800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 79,811 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 970.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3S read noise table

ISO	Nikon D3500	Nikon D3S
100	0.454	5.134
125	–	5.134
160	–	5.134
200	0.807	5.134
250	–	6.409
320	–	8.112
400	1.292	5.389
500	–	6.727
640	–	8.515
800	2.282	6.063
1000	–	7.568
1250	–	9.514
1600	4.199	8.225
2000	–	10.339
2500	–	13.086
3200	8.112	11.713
4000	–	14.621
5000	–	18.507
6400	15.455	19.562
8000	–	24.590
10000	–	31.125
12800	31.341	39.124
16000	–	34.535
20000	–	43.411
25600	59.714	54.569
51200	–	109.137
102400	–	216.767

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