Leica SL2-S vs Leica SL3-S: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica SL2-S 12.1 e⁻ (ISO 100), Leica SL3-S 9.8 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Leica SL2-S ISO 800, Leica SL3-S ISO 640.

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-S

The Leica SL3-S was measured at 37 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 204800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.64 DN, or 9.8 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 640, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.4 stop. From ISO 51200 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 95,292 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 600.

Leica SL2-S vs Leica SL3-S read noise table

ISO	Leica SL2-S	Leica SL3-S
50	1.580	1.366
64	–	1.474
80	–	1.591
100	2.014	1.636
125	–	1.778
160	–	1.972
200	2.770	2.189
250	–	2.497
320	–	2.949
400	4.228	3.482
500	–	4.084
640	–	2.000
800	2.732	2.250
1000	–	2.603
1250	–	3.053
1600	4.141	3.580
2000	–	4.408
2500	–	5.315
3200	7.210	6.453
4000	–	7.727
5000	–	9.646
6400	12.641	10.556
8000	–	12.641
10000	–	15.562
12800	23.588	18.896
16000	–	22.627
20000	–	27.665
25600	45.887	33.591
32000	–	40.786
40000	–	49.867
51200	86.823	60.129
64000	–	72.004
80000	–	88.647
102400	171.255	109.137
128000	–	133.436
160000	–	165.421
204800	–	205.074

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