Nikon D6 vs Nikon D600: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D6 40.8 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D600 4.1 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Nikon D6

The Nikon D6 was measured at 41 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 3276800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 5.98 DN, or 40.8 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 10000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 102400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 104,561 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 680.

Nikon D600

The Nikon D600 was measured at 26 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 0.86 DN, or 4.1 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 1600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 77,476 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 470.

Nikon D6 vs Nikon D600 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D6	Nikon D600
50	5.979	0.865
64	6.021	0.859
80	6.021	0.859
100	5.979	0.865
125	7.568	1.021
160	9.448	1.223
200	6.320	1.434
250	7.835	1.717
320	9.714	2.346
400	7.160	2.828
500	8.938	3.458
640	7.362	4.141
800	9.190	5.028
1000	11.314	6.063
1250	7.674	7.621
1600	9.580	9.580
2000	11.794	12.042
2500	9.000	15.032
3200	11.392	18.896
4000	14.026	23.752
5000	12.381	29.857
6400	15.671	37.792
8000	19.427	41.933
10000	19.973	52.346
12800	24.933	67.182
16000	29.857	–
20000	38.055	–
25600	48.168	133.436
32000	61.393	–
40000	76.639	–
51200	96.336	–
64000	120.259	–
80000	151.167	–
102400	191.341	–
128000	235.568	–
160000	290.018	–
204800	359.538	–
409600	634.730	–
819200	1,052.789	–
1638400	1,782.888	–
3276800	3,169.413	–

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