Leica SL2-S vs Leica SL3: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica SL2-S 12.1 e⁻ (ISO 100), Leica SL3 18.9 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Leica SL2-S ISO 800, Leica SL3 ISO 320.

Leica SL2-S

The Leica SL2-S was measured at 12 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.01 DN, or 12.1 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 800, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.6 stop. From ISO 6400 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 95,464 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 600.

Leica SL3

The Leica SL3 was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.96 DN, or 18.9 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 320, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1 stop. From ISO 32000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 153,117 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 960.

Leica SL2-S vs Leica SL3 read noise table

ISO	Leica SL2-S	Leica SL3
50	1.580	1.558
64	–	1.693
80	–	1.790
100	2.014	1.959
125	–	2.250
160	–	2.567
200	2.770	3.095
250	–	3.655
320	–	2.346
400	4.228	2.713
500	–	3.182
640	–	3.837
800	2.732	4.563
1000	–	5.816
1250	–	7.062
1600	4.141	8.815
2000	–	10.853
2500	–	13.086
3200	7.210	16.450
4000	–	20.678
5000	–	25.992
6400	12.641	32.223
8000	–	39.397
10000	–	46.851
12800	23.588	55.715
16000	–	68.120
20000	–	79.341
25600	45.887	94.353
32000	–	116.162
40000	–	139.102
51200	86.823	176.069
64000	–	215.269
80000	–	259.574
102400	171.255	312.996

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