Leica SL2 vs Leica SL2-S: read noise comparison

The Leica SL2 was measured at 11 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 51200. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (50) read noise is 2.75 DN, or 10.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 1600 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 62,042 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 200.

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.