Leica CL vs Leica M Monochrom: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica CL 3.9 e⁻ (ISO 100), Leica M Monochrom 13.3 e⁻ (ISO 320).

Leica CL

The Leica CL was measured at 10 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 51200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.46 DN, or 3.9 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1600 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 6400 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 41,726 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 260.

Leica M Monochrom

The Leica M Monochrom was measured at 17 ISO settings from ISO 160 to ISO 10000. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (320) read noise is 7.52 DN, or 13.3 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 320 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 28,787 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 560.

Leica CL vs Leica M Monochrom read noise table

ISO	Leica CL	Leica M Monochrom
100	1.464	–
160	–	7.568
200	2.585	–
320	–	7.516
400	2.042	9.318
500	–	11.713
640	–	13.833
800	3.758	17.148
1000	–	21.407
1250	–	27.284
1600	6.821	34.535
2000	–	42.814
2500	–	54.569
3200	12.906	69.071
4000	–	86.223
5000	–	109.896
6400	24.590	139.102
8000	–	173.645
10000	–	219.793
12800	47.505	–
25600	93.701	–
51200	181.019	–

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