Nikon D3, D700 and Canon EOS 5D MKII: the best for sensitivity

The low-light sensitivity measured by DxO in its performance library dxomark.com indicates up to which maximum ISO setting the image quality can be maintained without too much damage. The signal-to-noise ratio was arbitrarily set at 30 dB, and the dynamic range at 9 EV – as everyone knows that at a very high sensitivity, one of the reverse effects is that the sensor dynamics are pressed down.

One must remember that these measures are performed on rough files, without any treatment; therefore this test is measuring the performances of the sensor itself.

 

Nikon has now become a specialist in high ISO settings, extreme sensitivity up to 25 600 ISO, with the Nikon D3 and D700; it is therefore logical that these 2 full frame dSLR win, ex aequo, this test about sensitivity – with scores of 2 290 ISO for the D3 and of 2 303 for the D700 (difference in measure?).

According to DxO test bench, it will therefore be possible to push these 2 professional and semi-professional SLRs up to is sensitivity, while keeping with a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 dB and dynamics of at least 9 EV. These 2 SLRs are advantaged by a very limited resolution for a sensitive surface of 24 x 36 mm.

 

The extraordinary Canon EOS 5D MKII comes second: with twice as much resolution as the 2 Nikon SLRs, and 21 megapixels, reaches a score of 1 815 ISO. Behind, the Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII reaches 1 663 ISO – outstriped by its semi-professional brother, the Canon pro SLR (nearly 3 times more expensive than the 5D MKII).

 

Sony’s first full frame SLR comes 6th, handicapped in high sensitivity by the highest resolution of this test woth 24 megapixels.

 

It should be noted that the Nikon D90 is the first SLR of this ranking which is neither professional nor full frame. It is therefore, according to DxO, the most sensitive SLR of all those with an APS-C sensor. Get all the results of this test bench at DxOmark.com.