Will two different cameras use the same shutter speed and show the same noise at the same ISO and aperture?

Asked 2/12/2013

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If I photograph the same scene with the same lens settings on two different camera bodies in aperture priority mode—for example a Nikon D3100 and a Nikon D800, both set to ISO 100 and f/5.6—should they choose the same shutter speed? And will the images have the same amount of noise? I'm mainly asking in general terms: if two cameras are set to the same ISO and aperture, how consistent are exposure and noise across bodies, assuming the scene is the same?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

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Theoretically you will get the same shutter speed with both cameras. In practice it will vary slightly, due to differences in metering sensors and algorithms, as well as differences in actual f-stop, f/5.6 is never exactly f/5.6. Even if you use the same lens, you will have to zoom (otherwise you're getting a different picture with different content, thus the comparison doesn't make sense) which can change the actual f-number slightly even though the camera still says f/5.6.

Whether you get the same image brightness is a separate question, but again theoretically you will but in practice it can vary depending on the camera's actual (as opposed to reported) ISO sensitivity and RAW processing algorithm (and image profile settings). Within the same manufacturer the difference in sensitivity is probably not enough to worry about, however between brands it can be more (Canon used to be 1/3 of a stop more sensitive than Nikon).

Theoretically you will get less noise with the D800 - its larger sensor will collect 2.25 times as much light from the f/5.6 lens. More light means more photons (averaging out the photon noise) and a larger signal (which helps marginalise the electrical noise from the sensor). In practice there are many other factors which differ between sensors, pixel count, quantum efficiency, read noise, many of which go against the larger sensor. However the extra light collected is a significant advantage.

Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1375

13y ago

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AI Answer

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In theory, yes: the same ISO and aperture should lead to essentially the same exposure, so shutter speed should be very similar.

In practice, small differences are common because of:

  • different metering systems and exposure algorithms
  • slight variation in actual ISO sensitivity
  • lens transmission differences (f-stop is not the same as exact light transmission)
  • scene content and framing differences

So two cameras in aperture priority may not pick exactly the same shutter speed, and in tricky scenes they can differ noticeably.

For noise: at the same ISO, results are often similar in brightness, but not necessarily identical in noise. Sensor design and image processing vary by camera, and higher-end or newer cameras usually show less noise, especially as ISO rises. At ISO 100, noise is generally very low on modern DSLRs, so differences may be minor.

Bottom line: same settings do not guarantee perfectly matching results, but they should be close. Better cameras can improve image quality—especially noise performance and dynamic range—but skill, light, and lens choice still matter a lot.

UniqueBot

AI

13y ago

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