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by Roger N. Clark
This page shows an analysis of noise, dynamic range, and full well capacity of a Canon 5D Mark III camera.
Procedures for performing this analysis are described in: Procedures for Evaluating Digital Camera Noise, Dynamic Range, and Full Well Capacities; Canon 1D Mark II Analysis
The lowest possible noise from a system detecting light is the noise due to Poisson statistics from the random rate of the arrival of photons. This is called photon statistics, or photon noise. Noise from the electronics will add to the photon noise. Noise in Canon 5DIII images is limited by photon statistics at high signal levels and by electronic noise from reading the sensor (called readout noise) and noise from the downstream electronics at very low signal levels. In the case of high signal levels, a system that is photon statistics limited enables us to directly measure how many photons the sensor captures, and by increasing the exposure, we can determine how many photons are required to saturate the sensor. That is called the full well capacity, or simply, maximum signal capacity. With data on the lowest noise to the highest signal, we can then determine the dynamic range of the sensor.
The data and analysis results below show how the canon 5D Mark III sensor performs. Table 1 and the Derived Parameters below shows the results for this camera. These results will be added to the graphs at Digital Sensor Performance summary for comparison with other cameras (for now you can plot the values yourself from the data below). The data that were measured for this evaluation are presented in Appendix 1.
The read noise, reaching a low 0f only 2.1 electrons at ISO 12,800 is quite impressive but not as good as seen in Canon's 1D Mark IV or 1DX cameras.
Table 1
-------------------------------------------------
Apparent Maximum Measured
ISO Gain Read Noise signal Dynamic range
e/DN (electrons) (electrons) stops
100 5.04 34.9 68900 10.9
200 2.52 18.3 32400 10.8
400 1.26 9.8 16200 10.7
800 0.63 5.6 8100 10.5
1600 0.315 3.6 4050 10.1
3200 0.157 2.7 2030 9.6
6400 0.079 2.5 1000 8.6
12800 0.039 2.1 500 7.9
25600 0.0197 2.05 250 6.9
maximum DN: ISO 100 = 15331 (includes offset)
DN offset = 2048
Pixel pitch= 6.25 microns.
22.3 megapixels.
-------------------------------------------------
Derived Parameters:
S/N on 18% gray card, ISO 100 = 111.
S/N on 18% gray card, ISO 1600 = 27.
Sensor Full Well Capacity at lowest ISO: 68,900 electrons.
Sensor dynamic range = 68900/2.5 = 27,560 = 14.7 stops.
(note: limit read noise to ISO that give at least 8 stops dynamic range)
ISO at unity gain (scaled to 12 bit) = 2000 (14-bit unity gain = ISO 500).
Pixel linear density = 160 pixels / mm
Pixel density = 25.600 pixels / square mm
Sensor maximum signal density at ISO 200 = 829 electrons / square micron
Sensor maximum signal density at ISO 1600 = 103.7 electrons / square micron
Sensor read noise density (best read noise) = 328 electrons / square mm
Sensor dynamic range density at ISO 1600 = 17.5 stops dynamic range / square mm
New Low Light sensitivity Factor: 27.5 (= sensor max signal density at ISO 1600 / read noise at ISO 1600)
Full Sensor Apparent Image Quality, FS-AIQ = 123.8
Focal Length Limited Apparent Image Quality, ISO 1600, Constant output Size, FLL-AIQ1600 = 111
Values in the above table are described at Digital Sensor Performance summary.
Fixed Pattern (Banding) Noise
Table 2 shows the noise as a function of ISO in image form. The images illustrate several things: 1) lower banding noise at higher ISOs. 2) Better detection of smaller signals at higher ISOs (the random noise decreases). 3) At a certain high ISO, improvements decrease, meaning there is no benefit to higher ISO. Note, ISO is a post sensor gain and does not increase sensitivity. Increasing ISO digitizes a smaller range (see Table 1) but does improve the noise floor up to a point. While some banding noise is apparent at ISO 1600, would not be noticeable in many images. At ISO 3200 and higher, banding noise is almost negligible.
| Table 2a. Apparent Read Noise, Central Image | |
 | ISO 100 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 10151 electrons max= 10468 electrons mean= 10321 electrons standard deviation= 35.29 electrons |
 | ISO 200 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 5073 electrons max= 5239 electrons mean= 5159 electrons standard deviation= 18.52 electrons |
 | ISO 400 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 2533 electrons max= 2636 electrons mean= 2580 electrons standard deviation= 10.04 electrons |
 | ISO 800 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 1244 electrons max= 1326 electrons mean= 1290 electrons standard deviation= 5.85 electrons |
 | ISO 1600 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 611 electrons max= 683 electrons mean= 645 electrons standard deviation= 3.96 electrons |
 | ISO 3200 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 293 electrons max= 352 electrons mean= 321 electrons standard deviation= 3.08 electrons |
 | ISO 6400 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 132 electrons max= 198 electrons mean= 162 electrons standard deviation= 2.99 electrons |
 | ISO 12800 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 50 electrons max= 109 electrons mean= 80 electrons standard deviation= 2.57 electrons |
 | ISO 25600 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Central 500 x 300 pixel statistics: min= 15 electrons max= 60 electrons mean= 41 electrons standard deviation= 2.58 electrons |
| Table 2b. Apparent Read Noise, Full Image, sub-sampled | |
 | ISO 100 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 10120 electrons max= 11174 electrons mean= 10320 electrons standard deviation= 35.01 electrons |
 | ISO 200 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 5058 electrons max= 5982 electrons mean= 5159 electrons standard deviation= 18.39 electrons |
 | ISO 400 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 2517 electrons max= 3397 electrons mean= 2580 electrons standard deviation= 9.99 electrons |
 | ISO 800 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 1239 electrons max= 2148 electrons mean= 1290 electrons standard deviation= 5.83 electrons |
 | ISO 1600 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 595 electrons max= 1468 electrons mean= 645 electrons standard deviation= 3.99 electrons |
 | ISO 3200 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 279 electrons max= 1181 electrons mean= 322 electrons standard deviation= 3.11 electrons |
 | ISO 6400 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 116 electrons max= 210 electrons mean= 162 electrons standard deviation= 3.01 electrons |
 | ISO 12800 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 38 electrons max= 122 electrons mean= 80 electrons standard deviation= 2.59 electrons |
 | ISO 25600 Image Range: -20.00 to 20.00 electrons about the mean Full image statistics: min= 2 electrons max= 71 electrons mean= 41 electrons standard deviation= 2.61 electrons |
Conclusions
The 5D3 sensor is an improvement over the 5D2 sensor in several ways. There is a 14% increase in sensor signal density and similar increase in full well capacity. The apparent read noise is higher in the 5d3 over the 5d2 at low ISOs but better at high ISOs. The banding noise at ISO 1600 is substantially improved in the 5D3 over the 5D2, but still not as good as that in the 1D Mark IV or 1DX. The banding noise limits the ability to extract details in shadows, especially at low ISOs.
Appendix 1
Appendix 1, Table A1: ISO 100 Sensor Data and Analysis
Offset= 2048
Model gain = See Table 1
Model read noise = See Table 1
Observed signal - offset
--------------------------
min-o max-o mean-o 2-img std noise S/N signal gain ISO relative S/N S/N image
file (DN) (DN) (DN) (DN) (DN) (electrons) (e/DN) exposure model obs/model std dev
Run 1 ISO 100
_53B7305 7557.00 8325.00 7991.34 56.34 39.84 200.60 40241.6 5.036 100 0.125000 197.7 1.01 123.95
_53B7306 7570.00 8332.00 7979.03 56.34 39.84 200.29 40117.8 5.028 100 0.125000 197.6 1.02 125.37
_53B7307 3699.00 4149.00 3934.63 40.82 28.87 136.30 18578.7 4.722 100 0.062500 136.7 1.00 66.64
_53B7308 3714.00 4120.00 3930.00 40.82 28.87 136.14 18535.0 4.716 100 0.062500 136.6 1.00 66.30
_53B7309 1806.00 2058.00 1941.27 29.51 20.87 93.03 8653.9 4.458 100 0.031250 93.3 1.00 35.94
_53B7310 1814.00 2063.00 1945.07 29.51 20.87 93.21 8687.9 4.467 100 0.031250 93.4 1.00 35.91
_53B7311 874.00 1044.00 966.60 21.76 15.39 62.81 3945.3 4.082 100 0.015625 62.4 1.01 21.20
_53B7312 875.00 1043.00 962.41 21.76 15.39 62.54 3911.1 4.064 100 0.015625 62.3 1.01 21.26
_53B7313 415.00 528.00 477.64 16.76 11.85 40.31 1625.2 3.403 100 0.007812 40.0 1.01 14.07
_53B7314 422.00 530.00 477.71 16.76 11.85 40.32 1625.7 3.403 100 0.007812 40.0 1.01 14.03
_53B7315 196.00 282.00 239.93 13.68 9.67 24.80 615.2 2.564 100 0.003906 24.5 1.01 10.43
_53B7316 198.00 281.00 239.78 13.68 9.67 24.79 614.4 2.563 100 0.003906 24.5 1.01 10.46
_53B7317 84.00 162.00 120.53 11.85 8.38 14.38 206.8 1.716 100 0.001953 14.2 1.01 8.70
_53B7318 88.00 166.00 121.66 11.85 8.38 14.52 210.7 1.732 100 0.001953 14.3 1.00 8.68
_53B7319 33.00 95.00 61.96 10.91 7.71 8.03 64.5 1.041 100 0.000977 8.0 1.01 7.84
_53B7320 32.00 96.00 62.47 10.91 7.71 8.10 65.6 1.050 100 0.000977 8.0 1.00 7.81
_53B7321 4.00 63.00 33.05 10.44 7.38 4.48 20.0 0.606 100 0.000488 4.5 1.00 7.49
_53B7322 2.00 68.00 32.83 10.44 7.38 4.45 19.8 0.602 100 0.000488 4.4 1.01 7.46
_53B7323 -13.00 47.00 17.05 10.11 7.15 2.39 5.7 0.334 100 0.000244 2.4 1.00 7.16
_53B7324 -13.00 47.00 16.91 10.11 7.15 2.37 5.6 0.331 100 0.000244 2.4 1.01 7.20
_53B7325 -20.00 38.00 9.84 10.08 7.12 1.38 1.9 0.194 100 0.000122 1.4 0.99 7.13
_53B7326 -19.00 39.00 10.63 10.08 7.12 1.49 2.2 0.209 100 0.000122 1.5 0.92 7.14
Run 2 ISO 100
_53B7448 10315.00 11381.00 10920.65 63.62 44.99 242.74 58923.8 5.396 100 0.192308 232.1 1.05 194.42
_53B7449 10326.00 11405.00 10947.09 63.62 44.99 243.33 59209.5 5.409 100 0.192308 232.3 1.04 192.64
_53B7450 8222.00 9139.00 8753.97 58.39 41.28 212.04 44960.6 5.136 100 0.161290 207.2 1.02 157.21
_53B7451 8243.00 9116.00 8748.96 58.39 41.28 211.92 44909.2 5.133 100 0.161290 207.1 1.02 158.21
_53B7452 6554.00 7349.00 6979.58 52.92 37.42 186.52 34791.1 4.985 100 0.125000 184.4 1.01 126.33
_53B7453 6562.00 7305.00 6977.25 52.92 37.42 186.46 34767.8 4.983 100 0.125000 184.4 1.01 127.85
_53B7454 5150.00 5819.00 5528.73 48.08 34.00 162.63 26449.3 4.784 100 0.096154 163.4 1.00 102.72
_53B7455 5172.00 5795.00 5521.28 48.08 34.00 162.41 26378.1 4.778 100 0.096154 163.3 1.00 104.64
_53B7456 4071.00 4595.00 4367.71 42.38 29.96 145.76 21246.4 4.864 100 0.081301 144.4 1.01 83.40
_53B7457 4077.00 4582.00 4356.31 42.38 29.96 145.38 21135.6 4.852 100 0.081301 144.2 1.01 84.35
_53B7458 3233.00 3652.00 3462.39 38.23 27.03 128.08 16403.7 4.738 100 0.062500 127.7 1.00 66.06
_53B7459 3216.00 3643.00 3460.14 38.23 27.03 127.99 16382.5 4.735 100 0.062500 127.7 1.00 65.55
_53B7460 2548.00 2895.00 2736.94 34.64 24.49 111.75 12489.0 4.563 100 0.048309 112.6 0.99 53.74
_53B7461 2554.00 2920.00 2738.34 34.64 24.49 111.81 12501.7 4.565 100 0.048309 112.6 0.99 52.80
_53B7462 2013.00 2303.00 2170.38 31.04 21.95 98.90 9781.0 4.507 100 0.040486 99.2 1.00 43.76
_53B7463 2016.00 2308.00 2168.06 31.04 21.95 98.79 9760.2 4.502 100 0.040486 99.2 1.00 43.40
_53B7464 1587.00 1828.00 1717.68 27.72 19.60 87.62 7677.9 4.470 100 0.031250 87.1 1.01 35.87
_53B7465 1572.00 1828.00 1716.33 27.72 19.60 87.55 7665.8 4.466 100 0.031250 87.1 1.01 35.86
_53B7466 1252.00 1466.00 1360.28 24.98 17.66 77.02 5931.5 4.361 100 0.024096 76.3 1.01 29.59
_53B7467 1244.00 1474.00 1361.85 24.98 17.66 77.10 5945.2 4.366 100 0.024096 76.3 1.01 29.67
_53B7468 977.00 1161.00 1076.40 22.74 16.08 66.94 4481.6 4.163 100 0.020243 66.6 1.01 24.72
_53B7469 982.00 1162.00 1078.90 22.74 16.08 67.10 4502.4 4.173 100 0.020243 66.7 1.00 24.49
_53B7470 773.00 933.00 853.65 20.64 14.60 58.49 3420.5 4.007 100 0.015625 57.9 1.01 20.81
_53B7471 770.00 922.00 852.29 20.64 14.60 58.39 3409.7 4.001 100 0.015625 57.8 1.01 20.78
_53B7472 607.00 738.00 675.85 18.81 13.30 50.80 2581.0 3.819 100 0.012048 50.1 1.01 17.93
_53B7473 608.00 750.00 676.00 18.81 13.30 50.81 2582.2 3.820 100 0.012048 50.1 1.01 17.86
_53B7474 470.00 594.00 533.42 17.38 12.29 43.40 1883.6 3.531 100 0.010132 43.0 1.01 15.45
_53B7475 472.00 596.00 535.00 17.38 12.29 43.53 1894.7 3.542 100 0.010132 43.1 1.01 15.57
_53B7476 366.00 477.00 425.80 16.13 11.41 37.33 1393.7 3.273 100 0.007812 37.0 1.01 13.54
_53B7477 373.00 478.00 426.02 16.13 11.41 37.35 1395.1 3.275 100 0.007812 37.0 1.01 13.68
_53B7478 290.00 391.00 339.07 15.03 10.63 31.91 1018.0 3.002 100 0.006024 31.6 1.01 12.11
_53B7479 291.00 388.00 338.79 15.03 10.63 31.88 1016.3 3.000 100 0.006024 31.6 1.01 12.14
_53B7480 226.00 313.00 269.10 14.13 9.99 26.92 724.9 2.694 100 0.005066 26.7 1.01 11.09
_53B7481 222.00 321.00 269.42 14.13 9.99 26.96 726.6 2.697 100 0.005066 26.8 1.01 11.07
_53B7482 172.00 257.00 214.79 13.36 9.45 22.74 517.1 2.408 100 0.003906 22.6 1.01 10.28
_53B7483 173.00 251.00 213.94 13.36 9.45 22.65 513.1 2.398 100 0.003906 22.5 1.01 10.16
_53B7485 93.00 172.00 135.10 12.21 8.63 15.65 244.9 1.813 100 0.002533 15.6 1.00 9.01
_53B7486 99.00 171.00 135.35 12.21 8.63 15.68 245.8 1.816 100 0.002533 15.6 1.00 9.00
_53B7487 73.00 147.00 108.32 11.66 8.24 13.14 172.6 1.594 100 0.001953 13.0 1.01 8.56
_53B7488 74.00 144.00 108.23 11.66 8.24 13.13 172.4 1.593 100 0.001953 13.0 1.01 8.50
_53B7489 51.00 124.00 86.58 11.40 8.06 10.74 115.4 1.333 100 0.001506 10.7 1.00 8.24
_53B7490 51.00 123.00 86.36 11.40 8.06 10.71 114.8 1.329 100 0.001506 10.7 1.00 8.26
_53B7491 38.00 100.00 69.07 11.09 7.84 8.81 77.6 1.124 100 0.001266 8.8 1.00 7.93
_53B7492 40.00 101.00 70.09 11.09 7.84 8.94 80.0 1.141 100 0.001266 8.9 0.99 7.98
_53B7493 17.00 86.00 54.97 10.88 7.70 7.14 51.0 0.928 100 0.000977 7.2 1.00 7.75
_53B7494 25.00 89.00 54.84 10.88 7.70 7.13 50.8 0.926 100 0.000977 7.2 1.00 7.78
_53B7495 14.00 77.00 45.24 10.63 7.52 6.02 36.2 0.800 100 0.000753 6.0 1.00 7.61
_53B7496 14.00 78.00 45.25 10.63 7.52 6.02 36.2 0.800 100 0.000753 6.0 1.00 7.59
_53B7497 3.00 65.00 35.59 10.55 7.46 4.77 22.8 0.639 100 0.000633 4.8 0.99 7.49
_53B7498 7.00 66.00 36.59 10.55 7.46 4.90 24.1 0.657 100 0.000633 4.9 0.97 7.51
_53B7499 -1.00 65.00 30.21 10.31 7.29 4.14 17.2 0.569 100 0.000488 4.1 1.01 7.37
_53B7500 1.00 60.00 29.88 10.31 7.29 4.10 16.8 0.562 100 0.000488 4.1 1.02 7.42
_53B7501 -7.00 52.00 23.17 10.26 7.25 3.19 10.2 0.440 100 0.000377 3.2 1.00 7.29
_53B7502 -7.00 56.00 24.11 10.26 7.25 3.32 11.1 0.458 100 0.000377 3.3 0.96 7.31
_53B7503 -16.00 47.00 18.83 10.17 7.19 2.62 6.9 0.364 100 0.000317 2.6 1.00 7.22
_53B7504 -13.00 50.00 18.78 10.17 7.19 2.61 6.8 0.363 100 0.000317 2.6 1.00 7.23
_53B7505 -13.00 46.00 16.50 10.13 7.16 2.30 5.3 0.322 100 0.000244 2.3 1.00 7.19
_53B7506 -12.00 46.00 15.67 10.13 7.16 2.19 4.8 0.306 100 0.000244 2.2 1.05 7.17
_53B7507 -15.00 45.00 14.00 10.10 7.14 1.96 3.8 0.275 100 0.000188 2.0 1.00 7.20
_53B7508 -15.00 41.00 12.65 10.10 7.14 1.77 3.1 0.248 100 0.000188 1.8 1.10 7.18
_53B7509 -18.00 44.00 10.69 10.07 7.12 1.50 2.3 0.211 100 0.000158 1.5 0.99 7.10
_53B7510 -21.00 45.00 11.59 10.07 7.12 1.63 2.7 0.229 100 0.000158 1.6 0.92 7.19
_53B7511 -24.00 38.00 9.85 10.05 7.10 1.39 1.9 0.195 100 0.000122 1.4 0.99 7.14
_53B7512 -19.00 39.00 9.88 10.05 7.10 1.39 1.9 0.196 100 0.000122 1.4 0.99 7.17
ISO 200
_53B7331 7113.00 7912.00 7546.75 77.61 54.88 137.53 18913.1 2.506 200 0.062500 136.7 1.01 128.46
_53B7332 7125.00 7903.00 7546.21 77.61 54.88 137.52 18910.4 2.506 200 0.062500 136.7 1.01 127.98
_53B7333 3500.00 3975.00 3744.56 55.22 39.04 95.91 9198.2 2.456 200 0.031250 95.5 1.00 69.81
_53B7334 3489.00 3960.00 3740.24 55.22 39.04 95.80 9177.0 2.454 200 0.031250 95.4 1.01 70.62
_53B7335 1701.00 2009.00 1855.06 39.29 27.78 66.78 4459.0 2.404 200 0.015625 66.0 1.01 40.23
_53B7336 1706.00 2007.00 1857.87 39.29 27.78 66.88 4472.6 2.407 200 0.015625 66.1 1.01 39.79
_53B7337 828.00 1025.00 922.32 28.58 20.21 45.64 2083.4 2.259 200 0.007812 45.1 1.01 24.75
_53B7338 822.00 1016.00 925.99 28.58 20.21 45.83 2100.0 2.268 200 0.007812 45.2 1.01 24.95
_53B7339 400.00 541.00 464.07 21.44 15.16 30.61 937.1 2.019 200 0.003906 30.2 1.02 16.81
_53B7340 396.00 531.00 463.05 21.44 15.16 30.54 932.9 2.015 200 0.003906 30.1 1.02 16.81
_53B7341 186.00 284.00 233.82 16.85 11.91 19.63 385.3 1.648 200 0.001953 19.4 1.01 12.55
_53B7342 184.00 284.00 234.15 16.85 11.91 19.66 386.4 1.650 200 0.001953 19.4 1.01 12.59
_53B7343 77.00 162.00 119.55 14.08 9.96 12.01 144.2 1.206 200 0.000977 11.9 1.01 10.18
_53B7344 79.00 158.00 119.99 14.08 9.96 12.05 145.3 1.211 200 0.000977 12.0 1.00 10.15
_53B7345 27.00 98.00 63.33 12.45 8.80 7.19 51.7 0.817 200 0.000488 7.2 1.00 8.87
_53B7346 29.00 116.00 63.70 12.45 8.80 7.24 52.4 0.822 200 0.000488 7.2 1.00 8.93
_53B7347 2.00 70.00 35.24 11.47 8.11 4.34 18.9 0.536 200 0.000244 4.3 1.01 8.22
_53B7348 0.00 73.00 35.27 11.47 8.11 4.35 18.9 0.536 200 0.000244 4.3 1.01 8.21
_53B7349 -12.00 59.00 20.71 10.95 7.75 2.67 7.2 0.345 200 0.000122 2.7 1.01 7.86
_53B7350 -12.00 53.00 20.53 10.95 7.75 2.65 7.0 0.342 200 0.000122 2.6 1.02 7.82
ISO 400
_53B7390 6386.00 7417.00 6933.20 106.43 75.26 92.13 8487.6 1.224 400 0.031250 93.0 0.99 154.78
_53B7391 6403.00 7402.00 6935.92 106.43 75.26 92.16 8494.2 1.225 400 0.031250 93.0 0.99 156.57
_53B7392 3213.00 3820.00 3530.03 76.11 53.82 65.59 4302.4 1.219 400 0.015625 66.0 0.99 82.28
_53B7393 3191.00 3806.00 3534.69 76.11 53.82 65.68 4313.7 1.220 400 0.015625 66.0 0.99 83.24
_53B7394 1565.00 1927.00 1752.31 53.50 37.83 46.32 2145.5 1.224 400 0.007812 46.0 1.01 48.82
_53B7395 1549.00 1949.00 1750.72 53.50 37.83 46.28 2141.6 1.223 400 0.007812 46.0 1.01 49.66
_53B7396 742.00 1001.00 874.19 38.15 26.98 32.41 1050.2 1.201 400 0.003906 31.8 1.02 31.48
_53B7397 747.00 1015.00 874.96 38.15 26.98 32.44 1052.1 1.202 400 0.003906 31.8 1.02 31.32
_53B7398 346.00 536.00 442.97 28.38 20.06 22.08 487.4 1.100 400 0.001953 21.8 1.01 21.69
_53B7399 351.00 528.00 444.68 28.38 20.06 22.16 491.2 1.105 400 0.001953 21.9 1.01 21.84
_53B7400 167.00 295.00 227.89 21.75 15.38 14.82 219.6 0.963 400 0.000977 14.7 1.01 15.96
_53B7401 161.00 298.00 227.91 21.75 15.38 14.82 219.6 0.964 400 0.000977 14.7 1.01 16.07
_53B7402 64.00 170.00 120.69 17.38 12.29 9.82 96.4 0.799 400 0.000488 9.7 1.02 12.67
_53B7403 72.00 171.00 120.22 17.38 12.29 9.78 95.7 0.796 400 0.000488 9.6 1.02 12.66
_53B7404 20.00 114.00 67.63 14.96 10.58 6.39 40.9 0.604 400 0.000244 6.3 1.01 10.81
_53B7405 23.00 113.00 66.60 14.96 10.58 6.30 39.6 0.595 400 0.000244 6.3 1.02 10.80
_53B7406 1.00 80.00 39.14 13.44 9.50 4.12 17.0 0.434 400 0.000122 4.1 1.01 9.64
_53B7407 1.00 80.00 39.12 13.44 9.50 4.12 17.0 0.433 400 0.000122 4.1 1.01 9.69
ISO 800
_53B7412 6337.00 7537.00 6963.34 148.92 105.30 66.13 4372.8 0.628 800 0.015625 66.0 1.00 166.63
_53B7413 6306.00 7537.00 6956.96 148.92 105.30 66.07 4364.8 0.627 800 0.015625 66.0 1.00 165.83
_53B7414 3059.00 3874.00 3446.13 105.16 74.36 46.34 2147.7 0.623 800 0.007812 46.3 1.00 99.23
_53B7415 3090.00 3802.00 3443.73 105.16 74.36 46.31 2144.7 0.623 800 0.007812 46.2 1.00 98.78
_53B7416 1483.00 1964.00 1723.99 73.82 52.20 33.03 1090.8 0.633 800 0.003906 32.5 1.02 61.32
_53B7417 1488.00 1959.00 1723.97 73.82 52.20 33.03 1090.8 0.633 800 0.003906 32.5 1.02 61.71
_53B7418 713.00 1062.00 872.90 52.97 37.46 23.30 543.1 0.622 800 0.001953 22.8 1.02 41.24
_53B7419 716.00 1061.00 873.67 52.97 37.46 23.32 544.0 0.623 800 0.001953 22.8 1.02 41.39
_53B7420 337.00 566.00 445.64 38.88 27.49 16.21 262.7 0.590 800 0.000977 15.9 1.02 28.97
_53B7421 341.00 560.00 446.24 38.88 27.49 16.23 263.5 0.590 800 0.000977 15.9 1.02 28.89
_53B7422 152.00 334.00 236.85 29.43 20.81 11.38 129.5 0.547 800 0.000488 11.1 1.03 21.70
_53B7423 155.00 331.00 237.49 29.43 20.81 11.41 130.2 0.548 800 0.000488 11.1 1.02 21.61
_53B7424 61.00 214.00 131.03 23.40 16.55 7.92 62.7 0.478 800 0.000244 7.7 1.02 17.03
_53B7425 63.00 203.00 130.74 23.40 16.55 7.90 62.4 0.477 800 0.000244 7.7 1.03 17.09
_53B7426 14.00 140.00 77.46 19.79 13.99 5.54 30.6 0.396 800 0.000122 5.5 1.02 14.36
_53B7427 21.00 154.00 77.85 19.79 13.99 5.56 31.0 0.398 800 0.000122 5.5 1.01 14.43
ISO 1600
_53B7432 6082.00 7578.00 6880.90 211.09 149.26 46.10 2125.1 0.309 1600 0.007812 46.4 0.99 192.69
_53B7433 6235.00 7786.00 7001.34 211.09 149.26 46.91 2200.2 0.314 1600 0.007812 46.8 0.98 197.94
_53B7434 3004.00 3992.00 3491.86 150.56 106.46 32.80 1075.8 0.308 1600 0.003906 33.0 0.99 124.46
_53B7435 2979.00 3991.00 3491.43 150.56 106.46 32.79 1075.5 0.308 1600 0.003906 33.0 0.99 123.95
_53B7436 1373.00 2080.00 1759.02 106.12 75.04 23.44 549.5 0.312 1600 0.001953 23.3 1.01 81.98
_53B7437 1454.00 2109.00 1755.68 106.12 75.04 23.40 547.4 0.312 1600 0.001953 23.2 1.01 82.08
_53B7438 679.00 1148.00 895.62 75.81 53.61 16.71 279.1 0.312 1600 0.000977 16.4 1.02 56.67
_53B7439 659.00 1124.00 896.75 75.81 53.61 16.73 279.8 0.312 1600 0.000977 16.4 1.02 56.76
_53B7440 312.00 646.00 473.93 56.10 39.67 11.95 142.7 0.301 1600 0.000488 11.7 1.02 41.33
_53B7441 329.00 643.00 473.89 56.10 39.67 11.95 142.7 0.301 1600 0.000488 11.7 1.02 41.18
_53B7442 141.00 425.00 261.37 42.85 30.30 8.63 74.4 0.285 1600 0.000244 8.4 1.02 31.45
_53B7443 122.00 393.00 263.73 42.85 30.30 8.70 75.7 0.287 1600 0.000244 8.5 1.02 31.55
_53B7444 50.00 335.00 152.28 34.70 24.54 6.21 38.5 0.253 1600 0.000122 6.1 1.01 25.34
_53B7445 55.00 274.00 151.46 34.70 24.54 6.17 38.1 0.252 1600 0.000122 6.1 1.01 25.31
Appendix 1, Table A2: Read Noise Data and Analysis
Apparent
--- Signal - offset --- Read Noise Gain
file min max mean 2-img std noise (electrons) (e/DN) ISO
_53B7351 -27.00 30.00 -0.05 9.85 6.97 35.115 5.040 100
_53B7352 -28.00 29.00 0.15 9.85 6.97 35.115 5.040 100
_53B7351 -27.00 30.00 -0.05 9.72 6.87 34.646 5.040 100
_53B7353 -30.00 27.00 -0.01 9.72 6.87 34.646 5.040 100
_53B7351 -27.00 30.00 -0.05 9.84 6.96 35.054 5.040 100
_53B7354 -30.00 26.00 -0.14 9.84 6.96 35.054 5.040 100
_53B7355 -30.00 29.00 -0.07 10.27 7.26 18.306 2.520 200
_53B7356 -31.00 28.00 -0.04 10.27 7.26 18.306 2.520 200
_53B7355 -30.00 29.00 -0.07 10.27 7.26 18.297 2.520 200
_53B7357 -27.00 29.00 -0.13 10.27 7.26 18.297 2.520 200
_53B7355 -30.00 29.00 -0.07 10.25 7.25 18.273 2.520 200
_53B7358 -30.00 32.00 0.04 10.25 7.25 18.273 2.520 200
_53B7359 -33.00 32.00 -0.01 11.04 7.81 9.839 1.260 400
_53B7360 -31.00 44.00 0.01 11.04 7.81 9.839 1.260 400
_53B7359 -33.00 32.00 -0.01 11.07 7.82 9.859 1.260 400
_53B7361 -30.00 33.00 -0.13 11.07 7.82 9.859 1.260 400
_53B7359 -33.00 32.00 -0.01 11.05 7.81 9.846 1.260 400
_53B7362 -31.00 33.00 -0.09 11.05 7.81 9.846 1.260 400
_53B7363 -41.00 59.00 0.01 12.60 8.91 5.612 0.630 800
_53B7364 -74.00 47.00 -0.14 12.60 8.91 5.612 0.630 800
_53B7363 -41.00 59.00 0.01 12.63 8.93 5.628 0.630 800
_53B7365 -54.00 47.00 0.01 12.63 8.93 5.628 0.630 800
_53B7363 -41.00 59.00 0.01 12.53 8.86 5.581 0.630 800
_53B7366 -38.00 68.00 -0.06 12.53 8.86 5.581 0.630 800
_53B7367 -91.00 95.00 -0.10 16.21 11.46 3.610 0.315 1600
_53B7368 -80.00 101.00 -0.05 16.21 11.46 3.610 0.315 1600
_53B7367 -91.00 95.00 -0.10 16.32 11.54 3.634 0.315 1600
_53B7369 -69.00 77.00 -0.26 16.32 11.54 3.634 0.315 1600
_53B7370 -152.00 207.00 0.43 23.99 16.96 2.672 0.157 3200
_53B7371 -125.00 126.00 -0.58 23.99 16.96 2.672 0.157 3200
_53B7370 -152.00 207.00 0.43 23.95 16.94 2.667 0.157 3200
_53B7372 -120.00 168.00 0.31 23.95 16.94 2.667 0.157 3200
_53B7370 -152.00 207.00 0.43 23.84 16.86 2.655 0.157 3200
_53B7373 -122.00 190.00 -0.10 23.84 16.86 2.655 0.157 3200
_53B7374 -320.00 477.00 0.34 44.91 31.76 2.501 0.079 6400
_53B7375 -283.00 351.00 -0.39 44.91 31.76 2.501 0.079 6400
_53B7374 -320.00 477.00 0.34 45.13 31.91 2.513 0.079 6400
_53B7376 -407.00 381.00 -0.20 45.13 31.91 2.513 0.079 6400
_53B7374 -320.00 477.00 0.34 45.14 31.92 2.514 0.079 6400
_53B7377 -233.00 438.00 0.07 45.14 31.92 2.514 0.079 6400
_53B7378 -687.00 813.00 -0.46 74.13 52.42 2.065 0.039 12800
_53B7379 -551.00 735.00 -0.58 74.13 52.42 2.065 0.039 12800
_53B7378 -687.00 813.00 -0.46 74.11 52.40 2.065 0.039 12800
_53B7380 -866.00 835.00 0.66 74.11 52.40 2.065 0.039 12800
_53B7378 -687.00 813.00 -0.46 74.61 52.76 2.079 0.039 12800
_53B7381 -767.00 923.00 0.29 74.61 52.76 2.079 0.039 12800
_53B7382 -1418.00 985.00 -1.87 147.25 104.12 2.051 0.020 25600
_53B7383 -1325.00 1085.00 0.65 147.25 104.12 2.051 0.020 25600
_53B7382 -1418.00 985.00 -1.87 147.39 104.22 2.053 0.020 25600
_53B7384 -1125.00 1087.00 1.18 147.39 104.22 2.053 0.020 25600
_53B7382 -1418.00 985.00 -1.87 147.24 104.12 2.051 0.020 25600
_53B7385 -1295.00 987.00 0.30 147.24 104.12 2.051 0.020 25600
Data acquired by Roger Clark, August 2012 using Per Martinsson's camera.
Analysis by R. N. Clark November 2012
References
1) CCD Gain. http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys559/lectures/gain/gain.html
4) http://www.photomet.com/library_enc_fwcapacity.shtml
Notes:
DN is "Data Number." That is the number in the file for each pixel. I'm quoting the luminance level (although red, green and blue are almost the same in the cases I cited).
16-bit signed integer: -32768 to +32767
16-bit unsigned integer: 0 to 65535
Photoshop uses signed integers, but the 16-bit tiff is unsigned integer (correctly read by ImagesPlus).
The sensor analysis was done with custom, in-house written software. Raw data were extracted from the camera raw files using DCRAW. Custom software read that data and all processing was done in 32-bit floating point.
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http://www.clarkvision.com/reviews/evaluation-canon-5d3
First published November 4, 2012.
Last updated Nobvember 2, 2013.