Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs Olympus OM-D E-M5: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Olympus OM-D E-M1X 3.9 e⁻ (ISO 200), Olympus OM-D E-M5 5.9 e⁻ (ISO 200).

Olympus OM-D E-M1X

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X was measured at 24 ISO settings from ISO 64 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 0.75 DN, or 3.9 electrons at the sensor. 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 19,749 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1030.

Olympus OM-D E-M5

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 was measured at 22 ISO settings from ISO 200 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 0.98 DN, or 5.9 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 640 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 3200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 23,204 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1200.

Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 read noise table

ISO	Olympus OM-D E-M1X	Olympus OM-D E-M5
64	0.889	–
100	0.841	–
200	0.753	0.979
250	0.895	1.149
320	0.993	1.385
400	1.197	1.094
500	1.444	1.301
640	1.729	1.548
800	2.071	1.879
1000	2.395	2.297
1250	3.031	2.848
1600	3.605	3.531
2000	3.387	4.377
2500	4.084	5.502
3200	4.790	6.821
4000	5.897	8.634
5000	7.160	10.853
6400	9.318	13.737
8000	11.632	17.268
10000	14.929	21.706
12800	18.379	27.665
16000	23.588	34.297
20000	30.274	43.713
25600	37.014	54.948

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