Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5500: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D5200 2.8 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D5500 3.2 e⁻ (ISO 100).

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 D5500

The Nikon D5500 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 1.49 DN, or 3.2 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 2500 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 34,087 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 220.

Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5500 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D5200	Nikon D5500
100	1.240	1.495
125	1.959	1.765
160	1.945	2.144
200	2.990	2.603
250	3.605	3.095
320	4.790	3.837
400	5.242	4.627
500	6.589	5.657
640	8.282	6.869
800	9.918	8.456
1000	12.467	10.267
1250	15.780	12.553
1600	19.427	16.000
2000	24.420	19.562
2500	30.910	24.251
3200	38.319	30.484
4000	48.168	38.586
5000	60.969	48.503
6400	76.639	60.548
8000	54.569	76.109
10000	69.551	94.353
12800	87.427	123.640
16000	–	151.167
20000	–	190.019
25600	173.645	247.280

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