Nikon Z 5 vs Nikon Z 50: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Nikon Z 5 4.4 e⁻ (ISO 100), Nikon Z 50 4.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Nikon Z 5 none, Nikon Z 50 ISO 400.

Nikon Z 5

The Nikon Z 5 was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 0.99 DN, or 4.4 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 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 69,219 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 450.

Nikon Z 50

The Nikon Z 50 was measured at 30 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.44 DN, or 4.7 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 0.8 stop. From ISO 12800 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 49,634 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 320.

Nikon Z 5 vs Nikon Z 50 read noise table

ISO	Nikon Z 5	Nikon Z 50
50	0.986	–
64	0.993	–
80	0.986	–
100	0.986	1.444
125	1.165	2.000
160	1.404	2.621
200	1.682	2.567
250	2.028	3.095
320	2.479	3.811
400	2.990	2.694
500	3.630	3.095
640	4.347	3.340
800	5.389	4.141
1000	6.409	5.502
1250	7.727	6.233
1600	9.580	7.516
2000	12.042	9.514
2500	15.348	11.314
3200	16.111	14.123
4000	19.562	17.509
5000	23.588	21.407
6400	29.041	26.355
8000	36.252	32.672
10000	45.255	41.355
12800	56.493	43.713
16000	60.969	51.984
20000	77.172	65.345
25600	96.336	82.711
32000	121.938	103.968
40000	153.277	123.640
51200	194.012	160.898
64000	245.572	–
80000	308.687	–
102400	385.343	290.018
204800	–	564.175

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