Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D3S 25.1 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D4 16.2 e⁻ (ISO 100).

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 D4

The Nikon D4 was measured at 31 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 2.25 DN, or 16.2 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 10000 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 118,209 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 720.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D3S	Nikon D4
50	–	2.114
64	–	2.099
80	–	2.114
100	5.134	2.250
125	5.134	2.235
160	5.134	2.479
200	5.134	2.313
250	6.409	2.445
320	8.112	2.603
400	5.389	2.928
500	6.727	3.249
640	8.515	3.837
800	6.063	4.317
1000	7.568	5.169
1250	9.514	6.233
1600	8.225	6.774
2000	10.339	8.056
2500	13.086	9.580
3200	11.713	12.126
4000	14.621	14.723
5000	18.507	18.765
6400	19.562	21.112
8000	24.590	26.909
10000	31.125	30.910
12800	39.124	38.854
16000	34.535	46.206
20000	43.411	53.446
25600	54.569	67.649
51200	109.137	134.364
102400	216.767	268.727
204800	–	537.455

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