Nikon D70s vs Nikon D7100: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D70s 16.1 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D7100 2.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Nikon D70s

The Nikon D70s was measured at 10 ISO settings from ISO 200 to ISO 1600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 3.36 DN, or 16.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 200 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 19,646 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 960.

Nikon D7100

The Nikon D7100 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 2.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 100 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 35,974 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 220.

Nikon D70s vs Nikon D7100 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D70s	Nikon D7100
100	–	1.240
125	–	1.693
160	–	1.972
200	3.364	2.549
250	4.056	3.317
320	4.790	4.228
400	5.816	4.790
500	7.260	6.063
640	9.126	7.781
800	11.392	9.254
1000	13.548	11.551
1250	16.223	14.723
1600	19.698	18.507
2000	–	23.425
2500	–	29.446
3200	–	36.758
4000	–	46.206
5000	–	58.081
6400	–	73.009
8000	–	49.522
10000	–	62.250
12800	–	78.793
25600	–	155.417

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