Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-3: read noise comparison
Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Olympus E-1 18 e⁻ (ISO 100), Olympus E-3 24.1 e⁻ (ISO 100).
Olympus E-1
The Olympus E-1 was measured at 6 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.25 DN, or 18 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 100 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 32,271 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 800.
Olympus E-3
The Olympus E-3 was measured at 16 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (100) read noise is 3.58 DN, or 24.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 27,087 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 670.
Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-3 read noise table
| ISO | Olympus E-1 | Olympus E-3 |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2.250 | 3.580 |
| 125 | – | 4.377 |
| 160 | – | 5.389 |
| 200 | 4.317 | 6.364 |
| 250 | – | 7.674 |
| 320 | – | 10.196 |
| 400 | 8.754 | 6.681 |
| 500 | – | 8.398 |
| 640 | – | 11.158 |
| 800 | 17.268 | 13.454 |
| 1000 | – | 16.679 |
| 1250 | – | 20.821 |
| 1600 | 17.268 | 26.355 |
| 2000 | – | 33.128 |
| 2500 | – | 40.504 |
| 3200 | 17.388 | 48.168 |
Popular comparisons
- Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z 6III
- Sony a7 IV vs Canon EOS R6 Mark II
- Nikon Z 6III vs Canon EOS R6 Mark II
- Sony a7 V vs Sony a7 IV
- Sony a7 IV vs Sony a7 III
- Canon EOS R6 Mark III vs Canon EOS R6 Mark II
- Sony a7 V vs Canon EOS R6 Mark III
- Sony a7R V vs Nikon Z 8
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Sony a7R V
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Nikon Z 8
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II vs Canon EOS R5
- Sony a7R V vs Sony a7R IV