Sony a6500 vs Sony a6600: read noise comparison

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.

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.