Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II: 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 Mark II 6.4 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 Mark II

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II was measured at 23 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (200) read noise is 0.97 DN, or 6.4 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 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 25,607 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1340.

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

ISO	Olympus OM-D E-M1X	Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
64	0.889	–
100	0.841	0.966
200	0.753	0.966
250	0.895	1.125
320	0.993	1.329
400	1.197	1.057
500	1.444	1.266
640	1.729	1.495
800	2.071	1.815
1000	2.395	2.204
1250	3.031	2.713
1600	3.605	3.364
2000	3.387	4.170
2500	4.084	5.063
3200	4.790	6.277
4000	5.897	7.835
5000	7.160	10.056
6400	9.318	12.641
8000	11.632	15.889
10000	14.929	19.973
12800	18.379	25.457
16000	23.588	31.779
20000	30.274	39.397
25600	37.014	50.213

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