Sony a65 vs Sony a6600: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Sony a65 3.9 e⁻ (ISO 100), Sony a6600 3.2 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Sony a65 none, Sony a6600 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 a6600

The Sony a6600 (ILCE-6600) was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.28 DN, or 3.2 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 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 39,381 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 250.

Sony a65 vs Sony a6600 read noise table

ISO	Sony a65	Sony a6600
50	–	1.292
64	–	1.548
80	–	1.892
100	3.387	1.283
125	–	1.537
160	–	1.932
200	5.736	2.282
250	–	2.848
320	–	3.506
400	9.714	1.892
500	–	2.282
640	–	2.828
800	17.877	3.506
1000	–	4.287
1250	–	5.502
1600	36.002	6.869
2000	–	8.694
2500	–	10.778
3200	72.505	12.817
4000	–	16.223
5000	–	20.678
6400	112.206	20.112
8000	–	24.761
10000	–	31.559
12800	224.411	38.055
16000	278.204	48.840
20000	–	58.892
25600	–	74.028
32000	–	75.061
40000	–	93.054
51200	–	114.563
64000	–	138.141
80000	–	174.853
102400	–	215.269

Popular comparisons

All cameras · Open the full tool