Sony a65 vs Sony a6500: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Sony a65 3.9 e⁻ (ISO 100), Sony a6500 3.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Sony a65 none, Sony a6500 ISO 400.

Sony a65

The Sony a65 (SLT-A65V) 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 3.39 DN, or 3.9 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 3200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 18,205 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 110.

Sony a6500

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.

Sony a65 vs Sony a6500 read noise table

ISO	Sony a65	Sony a6500
100	3.387	1.537
125	–	1.866
160	–	2.204
200	5.736	2.657
250	–	3.249
320	–	3.864
400	9.714	2.204
500	–	2.639
640	–	3.204
800	17.877	4.000
1000	–	4.823
1250	–	6.190
1600	36.002	7.621
2000	–	9.318
2500	–	11.551
3200	72.505	14.420
4000	–	17.753
5000	–	22.316
6400	112.206	22.471
8000	–	26.909
10000	–	35.017
12800	224.411	36.002
16000	278.204	43.411
20000	–	54.569
25600	–	65.799
32000	–	82.711
40000	–	101.829
51200	–	124.500

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