Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D800 3.4 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon D810 5.9 e⁻ (ISO 64).

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 D810

The Nikon D810 was measured at 30 ISO settings from ISO 32 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (64) read noise is 1.23 DN, or 5.9 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 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 75,761 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 300.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810 read noise table

ISO	Nikon D800	Nikon D810
32	–	1.173
40	–	1.214
50	1.042	1.206
64	1.035	1.231
80	1.035	1.395
100	1.035	1.636
125	1.181	1.972
160	1.444	2.329
200	1.729	2.848
250	2.114	3.458
320	2.732	4.228
400	3.364	5.098
500	4.228	6.320
640	5.169	7.674
800	6.320	9.190
1000	7.727	11.158
1250	9.448	13.929
1600	11.392	16.912
2000	14.221	21.259
2500	18.379	24.761
3200	23.425	24.933
4000	29.243	29.243
5000	36.758	36.252
6400	46.527	53.076
8000	51.268	65.799
10000	64.893	81.572
12800	83.286	107.635
16000	–	107.635
20000	–	133.436
25600	166.572	172.446

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