Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D5100 3.4 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D5300 3.3 e⁻ (ISO 100).

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 D5300

The Nikon D5300 was measured at 25 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 1.58 DN, or 3.3 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 500 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 8000 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 33,241 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 210.

Nikon D5100 vs Nikon D5300 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D5100	Nikon D5300
100	1.283	1.580
125	1.548	1.741
160	1.879	2.099
200	2.412	2.585
250	3.074	3.138
320	3.732	3.758
400	4.500	4.595
500	5.389	5.579
640	6.635	6.869
800	8.168	8.398
1000	10.267	10.411
1250	12.906	12.996
1600	16.223	15.562
2000	20.535	19.427
2500	25.634	24.251
3200	32.447	30.484
4000	41.070	38.586
5000	51.625	48.503
6400	64.445	60.548
8000	82.139	76.109
10000	102.537	97.006
12800	129.787	121.095
16000	–	147.033
20000	–	182.278
25600	257.781	230.720

Popular comparisons

All cameras · Open the full tool