Sony a6400 vs Sony a6500: read noise comparison

The Sony a6400 (ILCE-6400) was measured at 31 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.41 DN, or 3.3 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.2 stop. From ISO 6400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 25600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 36,443 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.

The Sony a6500 (ILCE-6500) was measured at 28 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 51200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.54 DN, or 3.7 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.1 stop. From ISO 640 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 5000 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 38,207 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 240.