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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.
A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.
For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.
Here we compare the Sony NEX-5R with the Sony NEX-5N, Panasonic G5, Olympus E-P3 and Samsung NX20.
JPEG signal to noise ratio
These results indicate that the JPEG files from the Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-5N, Panasonic G5, Olympus E-P3 and Samsung NX20 have very similar noise levels, though the NEX-5R sits at the higher end of the narrow scale. Images from the NEX-R5 are, unsurprisingly, most similar to the NEX-5N.
Raw (after conversion to TIFF) signal to noise ratio
It's a very similar story for the raw files (after conversion to TIFF), with Sony NEX-5R, Sony NEX-5N and Samsung NX20 producing similar results, though this time with a smaller variation and fewer fluctuations in results. The Panasonic G5 and Olympus E-P3 show a lower signal to noise ratio than the others.
JPEG dynamic range
The dynamic range results from JPEG images show some variation, with the Sony NEX-5R sitting below the Sony NEX-5N throughout the sensitivity range, and above the Panasonic G5, Olympus E-P3 and Samsung NX20 at most sensitivity settings, with the exception of a dip at ISO 400.
Raw (after conversion to TIFF) dynamic range
The Sony NEX-5R's raw files have a higher dynamic range than the camera's JPEG images, producing better results at most ISO settings than the Sony NEX-5N, and significantly better images than the Panasonic G5, Olympus E-P3 and Samsung NX20 at all sensitivities. Only the Sony NEX-5R's top ISO settings of 6400 and 12800 show a smaller dynamic range than the Sony NEX-5N's.
