Sony a7C vs Sony a7C II: read noise comparison

The Sony a7C (ILCE-7C) was measured at 37 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.04 DN, or 6.1 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 640, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.8 stop. From ISO 6400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 93,917 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 590.

The Sony a7C II (ILCE-7CM2) was measured at 37 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.07 DN, or 4.7 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 400, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.5 stop. From ISO 4000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 51200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 69,634 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 440.