Nikon D80 vs Nikon D800: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D80 15.2 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D800 3.4 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 was measured at 16 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.39 DN, or 15.2 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 640 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 25,971 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 630.

Nikon D800

The Nikon D800 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 1.04 DN, or 3.4 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 53,554 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 330.

Nikon D80 vs Nikon D800 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D80	Nikon D800
50	–	1.042
64	–	1.035
80	–	1.035
100	2.395	1.035
125	2.888	1.181
160	3.531	1.444
200	4.408	1.729
250	5.618	2.114
320	7.111	2.732
400	9.126	3.364
500	11.713	4.228
640	14.723	5.169
800	14.320	6.320
1000	18.252	7.727
1250	23.425	9.448
1600	29.446	11.392
2000	36.504	14.221
2500	46.851	18.379
3200	58.892	23.425
4000	–	29.243
5000	–	36.758
6400	–	46.527
8000	–	51.268
10000	–	64.893
12800	–	83.286
25600	–	166.572

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