Nikon D50 vs Nikon D500: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D50 12.2 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D500 4 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Nikon D50 none, Nikon D500 ISO 400.

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 D500

The Nikon D500 was measured at 38 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 1638400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.38 DN, or 4 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.1 stop. From ISO 8000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 45,986 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 290.

Nikon D50 vs Nikon D500 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D50	Nikon D500
50	–	1.376
64	–	1.395
80	–	1.376
100	–	1.376
125	–	1.659
160	–	1.986
200	2.028	2.346
250	–	2.888
320	–	3.434
400	3.630	2.071
500	–	2.514
640	–	3.074
800	7.362	3.732
1000	–	4.691
1250	–	5.657
1600	14.520	6.964
2000	–	8.815
2500	–	10.629
3200	–	12.729
4000	–	16.000
5000	–	20.393
6400	–	24.933
8000	–	30.484
10000	–	36.504
12800	–	46.851
16000	–	58.892
20000	–	74.543
25600	–	85.627
32000	–	107.635
40000	–	134.364
51200	–	166.572
64000	–	206.500
80000	–	250.732
102400	–	304.437
204800	–	512.000
409600	–	897.644
819200	–	1,652.002
1638400	–	2,998.448

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