Pentax Q10 vs Pentax Q7: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Pentax Q10 2.7 e⁻ (ISO 100), Pentax Q7 3.2 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Pentax Q10

The Pentax Q10 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 (100) read noise is 0.86 DN, or 2.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 13,070 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 320.

Pentax Q7

The Pentax Q7 was measured at 22 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.27 DN, or 3.2 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 2000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 10,402 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 250.

Pentax Q10 vs Pentax Q7 read noise table

ISO	Pentax Q10	Pentax Q7
100	0.859	1.266
125	0.993	1.505
160	1.165	1.803
200	1.376	2.173
250	1.659	2.585
320	1.945	3.074
400	2.297	3.655
500	2.713	4.532
640	3.182	5.352
800	3.918	6.409
1000	4.659	7.516
1250	5.736	8.877
1600	6.916	10.629
2000	8.456	12.467
2500	10.411	15.889
3200	12.729	19.427
4000	15.671	23.752
5000	19.973	29.243
6400	25.281	35.753
8000	–	44.632
10000	–	57.680
12800	–	75.061

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