Sony a99 II vs Sony DSC-R1: read noise comparison
Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Sony a99 II 4.5 e⁻ (ISO 100), Sony DSC-R1 10.5 e⁻ (ISO 200).
Dual gain: Sony a99 II ISO 500, Sony DSC-R1 none.
Sony a99 II
The Sony a99 II (ILCA-99M2) 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 1.58 DN, or 4.5 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 500, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.4 stop. From ISO 2500 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 25600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 44,901 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 280.
Sony DSC-R1
The Sony DSC-R1 was measured at 5 ISO settings from ISO 200 to ISO 3200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.
At base ISO (200) read noise is 12.91 DN, or 10.5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 200 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 12,866 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 160.
Sony a99 II vs Sony DSC-R1 read noise table
| ISO | Sony a99 II | Sony DSC-R1 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1.591 | – |
| 64 | 1.853 | – |
| 80 | 2.204 | – |
| 100 | 1.580 | – |
| 125 | 1.866 | – |
| 160 | 2.158 | – |
| 200 | 2.621 | 12.906 |
| 250 | 3.182 | – |
| 320 | 3.758 | – |
| 400 | 4.691 | 26.173 |
| 500 | 2.282 | – |
| 640 | 2.732 | – |
| 800 | 3.387 | 49.522 |
| 1000 | 4.056 | – |
| 1250 | 5.098 | – |
| 1600 | 6.105 | 99.044 |
| 2000 | 7.727 | – |
| 2500 | 9.514 | – |
| 3200 | 11.632 | 192.672 |
| 4000 | 14.723 | – |
| 5000 | 17.877 | – |
| 6400 | 21.706 | – |
| 8000 | 26.909 | – |
| 10000 | 32.672 | – |
| 12800 | 41.643 | – |
| 16000 | 53.446 | – |
| 20000 | 65.799 | – |
| 25600 | 82.711 | – |
| 32000 | 60.969 | – |
| 40000 | 73.517 | – |
| 51200 | 91.773 | – |
| 64000 | 112.206 | – |
| 80000 | 137.187 | – |
| 102400 | 173.645 | – |
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