Leica M11 vs Leica M8: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica M11 4 e⁻ (ISO 64), Leica M8 10.9 e⁻ (ISO 160).

Dual gain: Leica M11 ISO 200, Leica M8 none.

Leica M11

The Leica M11 was measured at 30 ISO settings from ISO 64 to ISO 51200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (64) read noise is 1.27 DN, or 4 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 200, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1 stop. From ISO 4000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 47,875 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 200.

Leica M8

The Leica M8 was measured at 5 ISO settings from ISO 160 to ISO 2500. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (160) read noise is 6.68 DN, or 10.9 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 160 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 26,800 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 260.

Leica M11 vs Leica M8 read noise table

ISO	Leica M11	Leica M8
64	1.275	–
80	1.526	–
100	1.828	–
125	2.144	–
160	2.462	6.681
200	1.548	–
250	1.828	–
320	2.219	13.361
400	2.770	–
500	3.249	–
640	4.000	28.840
800	4.993	–
1000	5.856	–
1250	7.013	60.969
1600	8.634	–
2000	10.629	–
2500	12.817	132.514
3200	16.223	–
4000	19.698	–
5000	23.588	–
6400	29.651	–
8000	36.758	–
10000	44.324	–
12800	56.493	–
16000	69.071	–
20000	85.627	–
25600	113.772	–
32000	136.239	–
40000	168.897	–
51200	221.322	–

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