Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5200: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D5000 7.7 e⁻ (ISO 160), Nikon D5200 2.8 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 D5200

The Nikon D5200 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 1.24 DN, or 2.8 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 6400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 37,022 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.

Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5200 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D5000	Nikon D5200
100	0.966	1.240
125	0.959	1.959
160	0.966	1.945
200	1.000	2.990
250	1.021	3.605
320	1.292	4.790
400	1.424	5.242
500	1.905	6.589
640	2.585	8.282
800	3.095	9.918
1000	3.891	12.467
1250	4.724	15.780
1600	5.696	19.427
2000	6.409	24.420
2500	6.727	30.910
3200	7.464	38.319
4000	8.938	48.168
5000	11.158	60.969
6400	13.737	76.639
8000	–	54.569
10000	–	69.551
12800	–	87.427
25600	–	173.645

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