Cowboy

Thanks Andrew, but it's not just the exposure difference. More light means better SNR, therefore less noise (for a given ISO).

"Note: the Sony A65 shares the same sensor, image processor and viewfinder as the NEX 7 and Sony A77. Image quality is 99% the same on all 3 models." dpreview: "The graphs confirm that the NEX-7's pixel-level noise is higher than the NEX-5N's, and indeed about the same as the GH2's. They also show the advantage the NEX-7 has over the SLT-A65 and SLT-A77, with measurably lower noise at all ISOs; this is due to fixed semi-transparent mirror in the SLTs that deflects light to the AF system, meaning that the NEX-7's sensor receives more light at any given ISO." http://***URL removed***/reviews/sonynex7/page16.asp