Sony a7C vs Sony a7CR: 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 a7CR (ILCE-7CR) was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. This model has no measurement of its own; the Sony a7R V, which uses the same sensor, is shown.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.46 DN, or 3.4 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 320, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.1 stop. From ISO 500 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 12800 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 36,950 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 230.