Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5100: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D5000 7.7 e⁻ (ISO 160), Nikon D5100 3.4 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Nikon D5000

The Nikon D5000 was measured at 19 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 0.97 DN, or 7.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 250 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 32,759 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1270.

Nikon D5100

The Nikon D5100 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 (100) read noise is 1.28 DN, or 3.4 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 320 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 43,464 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 270.

Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5100 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D5000	Nikon D5100
100	0.966	1.283
125	0.959	1.548
160	0.966	1.879
200	1.000	2.412
250	1.021	3.074
320	1.292	3.732
400	1.424	4.500
500	1.905	5.389
640	2.585	6.635
800	3.095	8.168
1000	3.891	10.267
1250	4.724	12.906
1600	5.696	16.223
2000	6.409	20.535
2500	6.727	25.634
3200	7.464	32.447
4000	8.938	41.070
5000	11.158	51.625
6400	13.737	64.445
8000	–	82.139
10000	–	102.537
12800	–	129.787
25600	–	257.781

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