Nikon D5 vs Nikon D50: read noise comparison
Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D5 43.7 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D50 12.2 e⁻ (ISO 200).
Nikon D5
The Nikon D5 was measured at 41 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 3276800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (100) read noise is 5.58 DN, or 43.7 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 102400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 124,927 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 780.
Nikon D50
The Nikon D50 was measured at 4 ISO settings from ISO 200 to ISO 1600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (200) read noise is 2.03 DN, or 12.2 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 200 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 24,559 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1200.
Nikon D5 vs Nikon D50 read noise table
| ISO | Nikon D5 | Nikon D50 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 5.540 | – |
| 64 | 5.579 | – |
| 80 | 5.579 | – |
| 100 | 5.579 | – |
| 125 | 7.013 | – |
| 160 | 8.815 | – |
| 200 | 5.816 | 2.028 |
| 250 | 7.260 | – |
| 320 | 9.063 | – |
| 400 | 6.635 | 3.630 |
| 500 | 8.168 | – |
| 640 | 7.013 | – |
| 800 | 8.877 | 7.362 |
| 1000 | 10.703 | – |
| 1250 | 7.311 | – |
| 1600 | 9.126 | 14.520 |
| 2000 | 11.314 | – |
| 2500 | 8.515 | – |
| 3200 | 10.703 | – |
| 4000 | 13.269 | – |
| 5000 | 11.472 | – |
| 6400 | 14.320 | – |
| 8000 | 17.877 | – |
| 10000 | 18.252 | – |
| 12800 | 22.943 | – |
| 16000 | 28.443 | – |
| 20000 | 36.504 | – |
| 25600 | 45.570 | – |
| 32000 | 56.886 | – |
| 40000 | 73.009 | – |
| 51200 | 91.139 | – |
| 64000 | 113.772 | – |
| 80000 | 142.025 | – |
| 102400 | 177.294 | – |
| 128000 | 213.783 | – |
| 160000 | 261.379 | – |
| 204800 | 315.173 | – |
| 409600 | 544.958 | – |
| 819200 | 929.300 | – |
| 1638400 | 1,770.572 | – |
| 3276800 | 3,258.517 | – |
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