Least Noise?

[prince]

Hi,

Which of the following cameras has the least noise when using iso800/1600?

• Nikon D90
• Nikon D300
• Canon 50d
• Pentax K7
• Olympus E30
• Sony A500

Matt

 

[intotherainbow]

I'm pretty sure it's the D90

 

[mustanir]

Having not listened to any of them, I can't tell you. I'd guess it's the Olympus though because it's the smallest.

 

[phototuition]

D90 and D300 about equal best, 50d perhaps lags a bit and the rest someway behind. Based on playing with them all apart from the Olly.

 

[Mike.P]

The K-7 is actually pretty good if shooting raw ... if Jpeg is your preferred format then forget it.

 

[mastertrinity]

the sony a500 is also reported to have really good ISO at 800/1600

 

[Boldonian]

D300 is the best camera out of that mob . As for noise? D300 is pretty good.

 

[jakeblu]

Thats quite a range of cameras there, from £1500 to £450 curious as to why the question.

The team over at DPReview do extensive testing of cameras including noise.

Steve

Hi,

Which of the following cameras has the least noise when using iso800/1600?

• Nikon D90
• Nikon D300
• Canon 50d
• Pentax K7
• Olympus E30
• Sony A500

Matt

 

[micloi]

Have a look here:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Camera-Sensor/Compare-sensors

 

[Mike.P]

Have a look here:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Camera-Sensor/Compare-sensors

Interesting .. according to that site the entry level Pentax K-x wipes the floor with the D300s sensor wise.

 

[scottthehat]

the kx it is then.

 

[joescrivens]

nobody chooses a czmera totally based on one feature though ..... right?

 

[BlackCloud]

Well if it was the overriding feature you would be buying a D700. The D90 and D300 will be almost the same as they share the same sensor, although jpgs are meant to be better in the D90.

 

[cambsno]

I find the d90 is better than a d300.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Lightroom 3 can pretty much remove the noise shot at ISO800. I am sure all cameras will be acceptable if shot in RAW.

 

[Phil V]

nobody chooses a czmera totally based on one feature though ..... right?

Presuming that the OP wants low noise, they'll be shooting in low(ish) light, so good fast lenses, Image stabilisation systems and a kicking AF system will do far more for IQ than 'technically' the best noise pattern - which is at best a bit subjective anyway;

JPEG noise or RAW noise - ability to deal with noise within bundled software - availability of NR software, comparisons at 100% on screen vs. printed output, what size prints?

I personally find that noise that's quite off-putting on screen can be non-existent in reasonable sized prints. And I appreciate that we're moving forward but I can get 10x8 prints shot at 1600iso and they look great, I couldn't do that even on MF film - so it's also a matter of expectations and a realisation that we're buffering up against the bleeding edge of technology with our high ISO DSLR's.