Sony a7S III vs Sony a9: read noise comparison

The Sony a7S III (ILCE-7SM3) was measured at 41 ISO settings from ISO 40 to ISO 409600. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (80) read noise is 1.01 DN, or 14.4 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 1600, cutting input-referred read noise by about 3 stop. From ISO 4000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 102400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 227,834 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 1140.

The Sony a9 (ILCE-9) 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 2.50 DN, or 13.7 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 640, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.5 stop. From ISO 5000 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 87,297 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 550.