Sony a58 vs Sony a6000: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Sony a58 5 e⁻ (ISO 100), Sony a6000 5 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Sony a58

The Sony a58 (SLT-A58) was measured at 9 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 16000. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.77 DN, or 5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 6400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 28,682 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 180.

Sony a6000

The Sony a6000 (ILCE-6000) was measured at 25 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.45 DN, or 5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1600 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 10000 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 32,205 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 200.

Sony a58 vs Sony a6000 read noise table

ISO	Sony a58	Sony a6000
100	2.770	2.445
125	–	2.848
160	–	3.160
200	4.317	3.605
250	–	4.347
320	–	5.098
400	7.413	6.105
500	–	7.311
640	–	8.815
800	13.642	10.703
1000	–	13.086
1250	–	15.780
1600	25.992	19.027
2000	–	23.264
2500	–	28.443
3200	52.346	34.535
4000	–	43.713
5000	–	53.817
6400	104.691	64.000
8000	–	82.711
10000	–	103.250
12800	163.144	102.537
16000	202.251	128.890
20000	–	163.144
25600	–	203.657

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