Phase One XF
IQ4 150MP
Camera System
price: £45,700 / $51,990Phase One’s latest camera body and 150MP digital back
seems like a dream combo. We put it through its paces
We tend to think that things move
slowly in the medium format camera
world, but Phase One has
bucked that trend by introducing
a succession of new backs for
its XF camera, which was
introduced in 2015. The
latest release is the IQ4,
which is available in three
variants: the 150MP, 100MP
Trichromatic and 150MP
Achromatic. We’re reviewing
the 150MP Camera System.
The IQ4 150MP has a
backside illuminated (BSI) design,
which means the photoreceptors
can make better use of the available light to
generate an image signal. With 150MP at your
disposal, low-light photography isn’t your firstthought, but the IQ4 has a sensitivity range of
ISO 50-25,600. We’d probably draw the line at
ISO 12,800 though.
Interestingly, Phase One has
introduced its ‘Infinity Platform’
and given the IQ4 the core of
Capture One’s processor to
allow greater control over
RAW files in-camera. This
enables a small collection
of ‘IQ Styles’, which include
settings such as B&W
High Contrast, Landscape
and Fashion. These styles are
applied to the RAW images, so
when you import them to Capture
One, those that have been shot in one of the
monochrome modes, for example, are black
and white. However, the colour sliders work asBottom
Off the scale
Having 150 million pixels
means you get phenomenal
levels of detailBelow
Superb latitude
The wide dynamic range means
the files are very elasticTeThered
ShooTing
The XF IQ4 150MP can
be connected via a USB-C
or ethernet cable for tethered
shooting with Phase One’s
excellent Capture One software.
We tested it using a USB-C
cable and found it very
stable and efficientLeft
Future-proof
The IQ4 design
anticipates technological
developments and enables
expanding functionalityRight
Modular design
Like the lens, the
viewfinder and back are
interchangeablereviews