Phase One IQ Digital Backs

Dedicated to imaging perfection, the digital backs from Phase One are crafted with one thing in mind: Image Quality.

Iq3 100 80 50 Mp Trichromatic Db Low Res Copy

Resolution numbers aside, there is just something about these digital backs; if they were musical instruments I would say they have great timbre.
Jesse O'Brien - Fashion photographer, Aus

Phase One IQ digital backs are the most advanced digital medium format camera backs available. A wide range of configurations are available to suit medium format and technical cameras including the Phase One XF.

The Specular team can advise which digital back is best suited to your work. At the heart of an IQ digital back is a CMOS or CCD sensor with resolutions from 40 megapixels to 100 megapixels.

What is the difference between CCD and CMOS sensors?

Every back is capable of capturing an extraordinary 16-bits of colour information per channel, with very large dynamic range. For the specialist photographer there are pure monochrome digital backs available: the IQ4 150MP Achromatic, IQ3 100MP Achromatic and IQ260 Achromatic backs delivering unsurpassed tonal information.

From the outset Phase One backs have been built with tethering to Capture One at the core of their architecture, so studio photographers benefit from fast file transfers and robust connectivity. Unlike DSLRs, the tethering ports on IQ backs are recessed to ensure cables do not move or get damaged in use.

Features of the Phase One IQ range of digital backs include:

40, 50, 60, 80, 100 and 150 megapixel options
16-bit per channel colour
3.2" high resolution touch screen
Simple touch menu navigation and four physical buttons
Zoom (up to 400%), pan, and browse full resolution images
USB 3.0 and FireWire 800 connectivity (IQ1, IQ2 & IQ3)
USB-C, Ethernet & Wireless Tethering connectivity (IQ4)
CFExpress Card Slot (IQ4), CF Card slot (IQ1, IQ2 & IQ3)
IIQ L (lossless) and IIQ S (lossy) RAW file compression options
Freedom to use on technical or 5x4 cameras
Basic Live View (40, 60, and 80 megapixel)
Video-like Live View (50, 100 and 150 megapixel)
White balance tool
Focus mask tool
Bullseye level / virtual horizon

IQ4 Digital Back Range

The Phase One IQ4 digital back introduced a whole new interface, connectivity and capability. With IQ4 digital backs offered in 100 and 150 megapixel configurations, photographers get the best combination of highest image quality and new technology.

The unique features of IQ4 are focussed on supporting faster integrated workflows including deep support for the Phase One XF Camera, and also adding convenient tools for users of technical cameras.

XF Camera Integration

On IQ4 it is possible to manage all you XF Camera setting on the digital back and through Capture One to enable easy shooting operation even when your camera is hard to reach.

XF Camera Power Sharing & USB Charging

The ability to provide consistent power for the back and camera body allows for maximum usage without the necessity to change batteries.

Advanced image preview tools

Focus peaking is now available providing instant focuss assessment when using Live View. View your full resolution images quicker with a more powerful processing engine.

Features for technical cameras

The IQ4 digital back has an Electronic Shutter meaning that lenses only require and aperture, not a shutter.

	IQ4 150MP	IQ4 150MP Achromatic	IQ4 100MP Trichromatic
Resolution (megapixels)	151	151	101
Long Exposure (minutes)	60	60	60
Dynamic Range (f-stops)	15	15	15
Sensitivity (ISO)	50 - 25,600	200 - 102,400	35 - 12,800
Lens Factor	1	1	1
Sensor Type	CMOS (Back Side Illuminated)	CMOS	CMOS (Back Side Illuminated)
Sensor Size (pixels)	14204 x 10652	14204 x 10652	11608 x 8708
Sensor Size (mm)	53.4 x 40	53.4 x 40	53.4 x 40
Pixel Dimensions (micron)	3.76	3.76	4.6
Output @ 300DPI (cm)	120.26 x 90.19	120.26 x 90.19	98.3 x 73.2
Storage	CFexpress, XQD, SD, Capture One	CFexpress, XQD, SD, Capture One	CFexpress, XQD, SD, Capture One
Tethering	Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless	Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless	Ethernet, USB-C, Wireless
Battery	BP-911/914/915 3400 mAh	BP-911/914/915 3400 mAh	BP-911/914/915 3400 mAh
Mount Options*	XF	XF	XF

IQ3 Digital Back Range

With IQ3 digital backs offered in 50, 60, 80, and three 100 megapixel configurations, photographers get more advanced integrations and tools while including all the great features of IQ2 like WiFi connectivity.

The unique features of IQ3 are focussed on supporting faster integrated workflows including deep support for the Phase One XF Camera, and also adding convenient tools for users of technical cameras.

XF Camera Integration

On IQ3 it is possible to manage all you XF Camera setting on the digital back and through Capture One to enable easy shooting operation even when your camera is hard to reach.

XF Camera Power Sharing & USB Charging

The ability to provide consistent power for the back and camera body allows for maximum usage without the necessity to change batteries.

Advanced image preview tools

View your full resolution images with the Exposure Zone Tool to determine the accuracy of your exposure, and the Focus Mask Preview to confirm critical sharpness.

Features for technical cameras

The IQ3 series adds an internal exposure calculator, live sensor-temperature graph for managing heat buildup and noise, and electronic shutter capability (IQ3 100MP models only).

	IQ3 100MP Trichromatic	IQ3 100MP Achromatic	IQ3 100MP	IQ3 80MP	IQ3 60MP	IQ3 50MP
Resolution (megapixels)	101	101	101	80	60.5	51
Long Exposure (minutes)	60	60	60	60	60	60
16 bit Opticolor+	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Dynamic Range (f-stops)	15	15	15	13	13	14
Sensitivity (ISO)	35 - 12,800	200 - 51,200	50 - 12,800	50 - 800	50 - 800	100 - 6400
Sensor+ (ISO)	-	-	-	200 - 3200 (20 megapixel)	200 - 3200 (15 megapixel)	-
Lens Factor	1	1	1	1	1	1.3
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS	CMOS	CCD	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Size (pixels)	11608 x 8708	11608 x 8708	11608 x 8708	10328 x 7760	8984 x 6732	8280 x 6208
Sensor Size (mm)	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	44 x 33
Pixel Dimensions (micron)	4.6	4.6	4.6	5.2	6	5.3
Output @ 300DPI (cm)	98.3 x 73.2	98.3 x 73.2	98.3 x 73.2	87.4 x 65.6	76.1 x 57	70.1 x 52.6
Mount Options*	XF	XF	XF / H	XF / H / V	XF	XF

^{*Mount Options for IQ Backs include
XF: Suits Phase One XF, DF+ and DF, Mamiya DF+ and DF
H: Suits Hasselblad H1 and H2
V: Suits Hasselblad V-series
C: Suits Contax 645}

IQ2 Digital Back Range

IQ2 digital backs come in a 50, 60, and 80 megapixel configurations including the vaunted 60 megapixel Achromatic version. The addition of long exposure ability (IQ260 only), increases in dynamic range for the CCD sensors, and the built-in WiFi antenna distinguish IQ2 from IQ1 series backs.

Built-in WiFi Antennas

With IQ2 Phase One added WiFi. Connect to the digital back and preview your shots from the convenience of your mobile device.

GPS Data Recording

Using a paired iOS device running the Capture Pilot app it is possible to have detailed geolocation data attached to your images.

Long Exposure Mode (IQ260)

Phase One's advanced sensor design on the IQ260 unlocked the possibility of long exposures on a CCD chip.

	IQ280	IQ260	IQ260 Achromatic	IQ250
Resolution (megapixels)	80	60.5	60.5	51
Long Exposure (minutes)	2	60	2	60
16 bit Opticolor+	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Dynamic Range (f-stops)	13	13	13	14
Sensitivity (ISO)	50 - 800	50 - 800	200 - 3200	100 - 6400
Sensor+ (ISO)	200 - 3200 (20 megapixel)	200 - 3200 (15 megapixel)	-	-
Lens Factor	1	1	1	1.3
Sensor Type	CCD	CCD	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Size (pixels)	10328 x 7760	8984 x 6732	8984 x 6732	8280 x 6208
Sensor Size (mm)	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	44 x 33
Pixel Dimensions (micron)	5.2	6	6	5.3
Output @ 300DPI (cm)	87.4 x 65.6	76.1 x 57	76.1 x 57	70.1 x 52.6
Mount Options*	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V

^{*Mount Options for IQ Backs include
XF: Suits Phase One XF, DF+ and DF, Mamiya DF+ and DF
H: Suits Hasselblad H1 and H2
V: Suits Hasselblad V-series
C: Suits Contax 645}

IQ1 Digital Back Range

In order to support photographers who may not need advanced features and integrations available with IQ3, Phase One offer their most popular sensors in the IQ1 range.

We often recommend an IQ1 digital back to photographers who own cameras other than the Phase One XF, or who use technical cameras and have traditional imaging workflows.

	IQ1 100MP	IQ180	IQ160	IQ150	IQ140
Resolution (megapixels)	101	80	60.5	51	40
Long Exposure (minutes)	60	2	2	60	2
16 bit Opticolor+	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Dynamic Range (f-stops)	15	12.5	12.5	14	12.5
Sensitivity (ISO)	35 - 12,800	50 - 800	50 - 800	100 - 6400	50-800
Sensor+ (ISO)	-	200 - 3200 (20 megapixel)	200 - 3200 (15 megapixel)	-	200 - 3200 (10 megapixel)
Lens Factor	1	1	1	1.3	1.3
Sensor Type	CMOS	CCD	CCD	CMOS	CCD
Sensor Size (pixels)	11608 x 8708	10328 x 7760	8984 x 6732	8280 x 6208	7320 x 5484
Sensor Size (mm)	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	53.7 x 40.4	44 x 33	43.9 x 32.9
Pixel Dimensions (micron)	4.6	5.2	6	5.3	6.6
Output @ 300DPI (cm)	98.3 x 73.2	87.4 x 65.6	76.1 x 57	70.1 x 52.6	62 x 46.4
Mount Options*	XF / H	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V	XF / H / C / V

^{*Mount Options for IQ Backs include
XF: Suits Phase One XF, DF+ and DF, Mamiya DF+ and DF
H: Suits Hasselblad H1 and H2
V: Suits Hasselblad V-series
C: Suits Contax 645}

Resources

Find the latest information on the range of Phase One IQ3, IQ2, and IQ1 digital backs here.

To discuss the Phase One XF contact Specular in Melbourne or Sydney.

Did you know you can rent Phase One digital backs, cameras and lenses from Specular? Read more about Phase One rental in Melbourne and Sydney on our hire page.

Blog - Announcing the Phase One IQ3 100MP

Blog - Announcing the Phase One IQ3 100MP Trichromatic

Blog - Phase One XF Camera System Feature Update #3

Blog - Phase One XF Camera System Feature Update #4