Nikon D810A vs Nikon D850 (ES): read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D810A 4.7 e⁻ (ISO 200), Nikon D850 (ES) 4.3 e⁻ (ISO 64).

Dual gain: Nikon D810A none, Nikon D850 (ES) ISO 400.

Nikon D810A

The Nikon D810A was measured at 26 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 51200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 2.48 DN, or 4.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 4000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 10000 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 29,631 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 380.

Nikon D850 (ES)

The Nikon D850 (ES) 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 1.16 DN, or 4.3 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.3 stop. From ISO 2500 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 59,127 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.

Nikon D810A vs Nikon D850 (ES) read noise table

ISO	Nikon D810A	Nikon D850 (ES)
32	–	1.165
40	–	1.141
50	–	1.181
64	–	1.157
80	–	1.404
100	2.462	1.659
125	2.445	2.071
160	2.462	2.567
200	2.479	3.031
250	2.908	3.706
320	3.458	4.595
400	4.112	2.412
500	4.891	3.074
640	6.063	3.732
800	7.111	4.377
1000	8.574	5.657
1250	10.411	7.111
1600	12.467	8.634
2000	15.348	10.703
2500	18.507	12.906
3200	21.556	16.679
4000	25.281	20.535
5000	30.910	25.813
6400	37.271	28.641
8000	44.942	36.002
10000	55.715	45.570
12800	75.584	58.485
16000	89.264	72.004
20000	109.896	91.773
25600	146.018	112.206
51200	282.088	–

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