Mirroress cameras and ISO performance

One of the major differences between a compact digital cameras and DSLR cameras is that DSLR’s produce images with lesser noise when using high ISOs and long exposure times. DSLRs usually have larger image sensor, which easily explains this fact.

As we know, in digital photography ISO (ISO Speed or ISO sensitivity) denotes how sensitive the camera’s image sensor is to the light, its possibility to take pictures in low-light conditions. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the image sensor became, and therefore its possibility to take pictures in low-light situations increases.

As we know too, the best images are usually obtained at the lowest ISO setting, and using a high ISO is a choice between missing a picture and being able to capture an image (may be, not of fine quality and noisy).

ISO-noise-performance test

Well-known author Amin Sabet from seriouscompacts.com conducted a comparative very well done test of ISO-noise-performance among seven of the latest mirroress cameras. The tested cameras were: Panasonic GH1, Panasonic GF1, Panasonic G2, Sony NEX-5, Olympus E-P2, Olympus E-P2, E-PL1 and Samsung NX-10. The test went from ISO 100 to 3200. The winner was selected and the findings were analyzed and rationally explained.

Results

The highest-ISO-performance result was shown by Sony Nex-5, which was apparent even at low ISO, and the gap widened with increasing ISO.

The Panasonic G2, Panasonic GF1, Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus E-P2 showed very similar results in terms relative to noise. This may be explained by the rumors (similar to the truth) that all of these cameras use the same sensor.

The Samsung NX10 in terms of detail relative to noise revealed a little disappointing result at very high ISO. Based on its sensor size, one would expect the NX10 to achieve much better results than the Micro 4/3 cameras. While it outperformed the G2/GF1/E-P2/E-PL1 in this shootout, the magnitude of difference was less than the author expected, and the results at the highest ISOs were disappointing.

The Panasonic GH1, in terms relative to ISO-noise, was nominated the second best.