Nikon D810 vs Nikon D850: read noise comparison

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.

The Nikon D850 was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 32 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (64) read noise is 1.24 DN, or 4.6 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.2 stop. From ISO 5000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 25600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 59,126 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.