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ISO Performance Lab

We rank the last 15 years of camera bodies based on raw sensor data, cutting through the marketing hype to show you exactly how they handle the dark.

🏆 Master General ISO Performance

The absolute top 5 low-light performers across all brands.

Canon
EOS R1
6.15 4
Fujifilm
GFX 50s
6.35 2
Fujifilm
GFX 100s
6.55 1
Canon
EOS R3
6.22 3
Canon
R6 Mk II
5.95 5

🌌 Master Astrophotography Performance

The ultimate deep-sky trackers, evaluated on thermal efficiency and shadow elasticity.

Nikon
D850
4
Nikon
D810A
2
Canon
EOS Ra
1
Fujifilm
GFX 100 II
3
Sony
A7R III
5

Select a System to View Full Breakdowns

Canon: General Low Light

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based strictly on normalized Photographic Dynamic Range (PDR) at ISO 6400, using raw sensor data from Photons to Photos.
1
EOS R3
Full Frame | 2021
6.22
2
EOS R1
Full Frame | 2024
6.15
3
EOS R6 Mark II / EOS R8
Full Frame | 2022-2023
5.95
4
EOS 1D X Mark III
Full Frame | 2020
5.88
5
EOS R6
Full Frame | 2020
5.86
6
EOS R6 Mark III
Full Frame | 2025
~5.82
7
EOS R5
Full Frame | 2020
5.67
8
EOS R5 Mark II
Full Frame | 2024
5.55
9
EOS 1D X Mark II
Full Frame | 2016
5.40
10
EOS 5D Mark IV
Full Frame | 2016
5.23
11
EOS R
Full Frame | 2018
5.10
12
EOS 1D X
Full Frame | 2012
4.95
13
EOS 6D
Full Frame | 2012
4.89
14
EOS 6D Mark II
Full Frame | 2017
4.85
15
EOS 5DS / 5DS R
Full Frame | 2015
4.65
16
EOS RP
Full Frame | 2019
4.60
17
EOS R7 / 90D / M6 Mk II
APS-C | 2019-2022
4.56
18
EOS 5D Mark III
Full Frame | 2012
4.49
19
EOS R10 / R50
APS-C | 2022-2023
4.38
20
EOS 7D Mark II
APS-C | 2014
3.79
21
EOS 80D / 77D / M50
APS-C | 2016-2018
3.58
22
EOS 70D
APS-C | 2013
3.20

Canon: Astrophotography

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based on long-exposure thermal efficiency, absence of fixed-pattern banding, and shadow-recovery elasticity.
1
EOS Ra
Full Frame | 2019
Factory H-Alpha transmission
2
EOS R6 / EOS R6 Mark II
Full Frame | 2020-22
Class-leading thermal management
3
EOS R6 Mark III
Full Frame | 2025
Excellent, but slight thermal penalty for speed
4
EOS R5 / R5 Mark II
Full Frame | 2020-24
Ultra-low DCNU (clean shadow stretching)
5
EOS R3 / EOS R1
Full Frame | 2021-24
Minor thermal penalty for stacked sensors
6
EOS 6D (Original)
Full Frame | 2012
The Anomaly: Legendary low dark current
7
EOS R7 / 90D
APS-C | 2019-22
Extremely clean modern silicon
8
EOS 5D Mark IV / EOS R
Full Frame | 2016-18
Solid, but aging thermal efficiency
9
EOS R10 / R50
APS-C | 2022-23
Clean modern entry-level
10
EOS 80D / 77D
APS-C | 2016-17
Canon's first APS-C without heavy banding
11
EOS 5D Mark III
Full Frame | 2012
High read noise, heavy fixed pattern noise
12
EOS 7D / 7D Mark II
APS-C | 2009-14
High thermal noise, heavy banding
13
EOS RP / 6D Mark II
Full Frame | 2017-19
Severe DCNU banding when stretched

Sony: General Low Light

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based strictly on normalized Photographic Dynamic Range (PDR) at ISO 6400, using raw sensor data from Photons to Photos.
1
A7 III / A7C
Full Frame | 2018-20
5.85
2
A7 IV / A7C II
Full Frame | 2021-23
5.71
3
A7S III / FX3 / ZV-E1
Full Frame | 2020-23
5.70
4
A1
Full Frame | 2021
5.61
5
A7R III / IV / V Series
Full Frame | 2017-22
~5.52
6
A9 / A9 II
Full Frame | 2017-19
5.35
7
A7 II
Full Frame | 2014
5.15
8
A9 III (Global Shutter)
Full Frame | 2024
4.85
9
Original A7 / A7R / A7S
Full Frame | 2013-14
~4.70
10
A6700 / FX30
APS-C | 2022-23
4.55
11
A6100 to A6600 Series
APS-C | 2014-19
4.35
12
NEX-7 / A6000
APS-C | 2011-14
3.90

Sony: Astrophotography

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based on long-exposure thermal efficiency, absence of fixed-pattern banding, and shadow-recovery elasticity.
1
A7R III / A7R IIIA
Full Frame | 2017-21
The Sweet Spot: High res, low dark current, mitigated Star Eater
2
A7 IV / A7C II
Full Frame | 2021-23
Extremely clean modern BSI architecture
3
A7R IV / A7R V
Full Frame | 2019-22
Massive resolution, but slight thermal penalty for density
4
A7S III / FX3
Full Frame | 2020
Zero banding, but 12MP limits deep-sky cropping
5
A6700 / FX30
APS-C | 2022-23
Cleanest modern Sony crop sensors
6
A7 III / A7C
Full Frame | 2018-20
Legendary, but suffers from PDAF striping when stretched
7
A1
Full Frame | 2021
Fast stacked readout generates extra thermal noise
8
A7R II / A7S II
Full Frame | 2015
The "Star Eater" Generation: Firmware deleted faint stars
9
A6100 to A6600
APS-C | 2014-19
Solid, but noticeable "amp glow" in corners
10
A9 / A9 II
Full Frame | 2017-19
Sports focused, poor long-exposure thermal efficiency
11
Original A7 / A7R / A7S
Full Frame | 2013-14
Severe fixed-pattern banding and massive amp glow
12
A9 III (Global Shutter)
Full Frame | 2024
Catastrophic dark current accumulation for long exposures

Nikon: General Low Light

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based strictly on normalized Photographic Dynamic Range (PDR) at ISO 6400, using raw sensor data from Photons to Photos.
1
Zf / Z6 II / Z6 / D780
Full Frame | 2018-23
5.85
2
Z7 II / Z7 / D850
Full Frame | 2017-20
5.60
3
D750
Full Frame | 2014
5.50
4
Z6 III / Nikon ZR
Full Frame | 2024-25
5.45
5
Z9 / Z8
Full Frame | 2021-23
5.35
6
D6 / D5
Full Frame | 2016-20
5.30
7
D610 / D600
Full Frame | 2012-13
5.25
8
D4s / D4
Full Frame | 2012-14
5.15
9
D810
Full Frame | 2014
5.10
10
D800 / D800E
Full Frame | 2012
4.80
11
Z50 / Zfc / D500
APS-C | 2016-21
4.40
12
D7200
APS-C | 2015
4.30

Nikon: Astrophotography

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based on long-exposure thermal efficiency, absence of fixed-pattern banding, and shadow-recovery elasticity.
1
D810A
Full Frame | 2015
Factory H-Alpha transmission
2
D850
Full Frame | 2017
Flawless BSI silicon, zero PDAF banding
3
D750 / D780
Full Frame | 2014-20
Legendary DSLR thermal efficiency, clean shadows
4
Z7 / Z7 II
Full Frame | 2018-20
Same 45MP silicon as D850, but minor mirrorless artifacts
5
D5300 / D5500
APS-C | 2013-15
The Anomaly: Freakishly clean crop sensors, no banding
6
Zf / Z6 II / Z6
Full Frame | 2018-23
Extremely low noise, but suffers from hardcoded "Concentric Rings"
7
Z6 III / Nikon ZR
Full Frame | 2024-26
Partially-stacked & cinema tech increases thermal noise
8
Z9 / Z8
Full Frame | 2021-23
Fully stacked sensors run hot during long exposures
9
Z50 / Zfc / D500
APS-C | 2016-21
Clean modern crop, but standard read noise levels
10
D6 / D5 / D4s
Full Frame | 2012-20
Sports focused, low resolution limits deep-sky cropping
11
D610 / D600
Full Frame | 2012-13
Solid but aging thermal efficiency
12
D7100 / D7200
APS-C | 2013-15
Older crop sensors with notorious horizontal banding

Fujifilm: General Low Light

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based strictly on normalized Photographic Dynamic Range (PDR) at ISO 6400, using raw sensor data from Photons to Photos.
Rank
Camera Models Included
PDR @ ISO 6400
1
GFX 100, 100 II, 100S, 100S II, 100RF
Medium Format | 100MP BSI
~6.55
2
GFX 50S, 50R, 50S II
Medium Format | 50MP CMOS
~6.35
3
X-T3, X-T4, X-Pro3, X-S10/20, X100V...
APS-C | 26MP Gen 4
~4.60
4
X-T5, X-H2, X-T50, X-E5, X100VI
APS-C | 40MP Gen 5 HR
~4.45
5
X-H2S
APS-C (Stacked) | 26MP Gen 5 HS
~4.35
6
X-T2, X-Pro2, X-H1, X100F...
APS-C | 24MP Gen 3
~4.25
7
X-T1, X-Pro1, X-E1/2, X100S/T...
APS-C | 16MP Gen 1 & 2
~3.55
8
X100 (Original 2011 model)
APS-C | 12MP Original
~3.10

Fujifilm: Astrophotography

Methodology Disclaimer: Rankings are based on long-exposure thermal efficiency, absence of fixed-pattern banding, and shadow-recovery elasticity.
1
GFX 100, 100 II, 100S, 100S II, 100RF
Medium Format | 100MP BSI
Absolute light-gathering monsters, flawlessly clean BSI tracking
2
X-A7, X-T200
APS-C | 26MP Gen 4 (Bayer)
The Holy Grail: Clean BSI silicon + standard Bayer array (zero worms)
3
X-T3, X-T4, X-Pro3, X-S10/20, X100V...
APS-C | 26MP Gen 4 (X-Trans)
The Sweet Spot: Excellent factory H-Alpha, but needs care when stacking
4
GFX 50S, 50R, 50S II
Medium Format | 50MP CMOS
Massive pixels, but older non-BSI tech runs slightly warmer
5
X-T5, X-H2, X-T50, X-E5, X100VI
APS-C | 40MP Gen 5 HR
Microscopic 3.0µm pixels are brutally punishing on mount tracking
6
X-H2S
APS-C (Stacked) | 26MP Gen 5 HS
Speed tax: Stacked memory layer traps heat, increasing dark current
7
X-T2, X-Pro2, X-H1, X100F...
APS-C | 24MP Gen 3
Older generation; noticeable corner "amp glow" on long exposures
8
X-T1, X-Pro1, X-E1/2, X100S/T...
APS-C | 16MP Gen 1 & 2
Ancient thermal management; heavy background noise scaling
9
X100 (Original 2011 model)
APS-C | 12MP Original
Fixed lens, noisy ancient silicon, impossible to trace deep sky
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