LFI has recently published an article stating that the sensor in the new Leica M262 differs from that in the older Leica M240. This has generated a fair amount of comment on various forums because the M262 is, at least in principle, just a simplified version of the M240. Live view has been left out, no video, etc, etc.
I can't claim to know whether in fact the sensor is different or not. It would certainly be possible to have a simplified sensor - the various capabilities that have been removed certainly add complexity to the sensor. And generate heat, drain the battery, etc. However, making even small changes to an established sensor design is an expensive process, so the question is whether it actually made financial sense.
I have taken a look inside the DNGs produced by the M240 and the M262, and in as much as it relates to the sensor, the two files are identical. Of course, the pixel dimensions, etc are the same as you'd expect, but the most significant similarity is that the color matrixes are also identical. That makes it near certain that the dyes in the color filter array are the same. That in turn implies that the sensors are built on identical technology.
So, while there's no way to tell whether the sensor is "new" or not, the technology isn't new. As a result I'd predict that the actual imaging performance of the two cameras will be identical for all practical purposes. Which will perhaps be a bit of a blow for those hoping that "different" meant improved performance -- the M240 sensor is now several years old.
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