Nikon D90 vs Nikon Df: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon D90 8.5 e⁻ (ISO 160), Nikon Df 15.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Nikon D90

The Nikon D90 was measured at 19 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 1.17 DN, or 8.5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 320 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 29,595 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1150.

Nikon Df

The Nikon Df was measured at 31 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.08 DN, or 15.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 10000 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 123,451 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 750.

Nikon D90 vs Nikon Df read noise table

ISO	Nikon D90	Nikon Df
50	–	2.085
64	–	2.085
80	–	2.204
100	1.173	2.085
125	1.165	2.329
160	1.173	2.266
200	1.206	2.173
250	1.292	2.412
320	1.248	2.657
400	1.516	2.828
500	1.778	3.317
640	2.585	3.864
800	3.074	4.408
1000	3.706	5.134
1250	4.563	6.105
1600	5.696	6.543
2000	6.409	7.890
2500	6.233	9.448
3200	7.260	11.794
4000	8.694	14.320
5000	10.411	18.126
6400	13.454	20.678
8000	–	25.992
10000	–	30.696
12800	–	38.586
16000	–	45.255
20000	–	52.346
25600	–	66.718
51200	–	133.436
102400	–	265.028
204800	–	533.742

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