Leica SL3-S vs Leica TL: read noise comparison

Input-referred read noise at base ISO: Leica SL3-S 9.8 e⁻ (ISO 100), Leica TL 11.7 e⁻ (ISO 100).

Dual gain: Leica SL3-S ISO 640, Leica TL none.

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 TL

The Leica TL was measured at 8 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 2.03 DN, or 11.7 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 800 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 23,739 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 580.

Leica SL3-S vs Leica TL read noise table

ISO	Leica SL3-S	Leica TL
50	1.366	–
64	1.474	–
80	1.591	–
100	1.636	2.028
125	1.778	–
160	1.972	–
200	2.189	2.173
250	2.497	–
320	2.949	–
400	3.482	2.042
500	4.084	–
640	2.000	–
800	2.250	3.630
1000	2.603	–
1250	3.053	–
1600	3.580	6.774
2000	4.408	–
2500	5.315	–
3200	6.453	14.320
4000	7.727	–
5000	9.646	–
6400	10.556	25.281
8000	12.641	–
10000	15.562	–
12800	18.896	49.522
16000	22.627	–
20000	27.665	–
25600	33.591	–
32000	40.786	–
40000	49.867	–
51200	60.129	–
64000	72.004	–
80000	88.647	–
102400	109.137	–
128000	133.436	–
160000	165.421	–
204800	205.074	–

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