Leica M10 vs Leica M10 MONOCHROM: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica M10 5 e⁻ (ISO 100), Leica M10 MONOCHROM 6.1 e⁻ (ISO 160).

Leica M10

The Leica M10 was measured at 26 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 1.99 DN, or 5 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 640 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 20000 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 41,004 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 500.

Leica M10 MONOCHROM

The Leica M10 MONOCHROM was measured at 29 ISO settings from ISO 160 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 2.14 DN, or 6.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 1250 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 46,751 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 450.

Leica M10 vs Leica M10 MONOCHROM read noise table

ISO	Leica M10	Leica M10 MONOCHROM
100	1.986	–
160	–	2.144
200	2.445	2.329
250	2.514	2.250
320	2.848	2.428
400	3.272	2.848
500	4.112	3.074
640	4.925	3.837
800	6.105	2.928
1000	7.727	3.655
1250	9.190	4.084
1600	11.392	4.891
2000	13.833	6.233
2500	17.509	7.568
3200	22.316	9.448
4000	26.723	11.632
5000	33.591	14.825
6400	42.814	18.507
8000	52.346	23.264
10000	71.012	29.446
12800	88.647	36.002
16000	109.896	44.942
20000	132.514	58.485
25600	198.088	72.004
32000	238.856	89.264
40000	306.555	121.938
51200	367.093	146.018
64000	–	176.069
80000	–	247.280
102400	–	296.112

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