Hot on the heels of Hasselblad's announcement of the H5D-50c, Phase One has unveiled a medium-format digital back with a 50-megapixel CMOS sensor. With a sensor size of 44x33mm, the IQ250 offers 68 percent more image-capture real estate than a typical 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera, and delivers a claimed 14 stops of dynamic range. Additionally; it has an ISO range from 100/21° to 6400/39°, which is unprecedented for an MF digital back. "Fluid and responsive Live View is another key feature of the IQ250," the company says. Live View on the IQ250 offers great composition and focus assistance -- whether it is used directly on the digital back, connected via USB3 to Capture One on the computer, or displayed wirelessly on iPads or iPhones running Capture Pilot. The Phase One IQ250 system is available now, priced at €24,990/ $34,990:

Press Release

Phase One Introduces First CMOS-based Medium Format Camera

Opens New Frontiers for Photographers

COPENHAGEN, January 24, 2014 -- Phase One today introduced the world’s first CMOS-based medium format digital camera back. The new 50-megapixel IQ250 brings unprecedented image capture flexibility to the IQ2 family of wireless-enabled high-end camera systems. Whether photo sessions are held in the studio or on a mountainside, the IQ250 lets photographers capture stunning imagery in available light -- virtually anywhere and any time.

With a sensor size of 44x33mm, the IQ250 offers 68 percent more image-capture real estate than any full-frame 35mm DSLR camera and the widest usable ISO range of any medium format camera system. Its phenomenal dynamic range of 14 f-stops enables photographers to capture the most demanding scenes in one shot, while retaining details in highlights and shadows.

Flexibility in Action

The IQ250 is designed for capture versatility; it has an ISO range from 100 to 6400, delivering world class image quality at any ISO speed. And its range of exposure time is extreme -- from 1/10000s to one hour. Fluid and responsive Live View is another key feature of the IQ250. Live View on the IQ250 offers great composition and focus assistance -- whether it is used directly on the digital back, connected via USB3 to Capture One on the computer, or displayed wirelessly on iPads or iPhones running Capture Pilot.

Award-winning Australian wedding photographer Dan O'Day has found the IQ250’s abundant dynamic range to be a game changer. He said, “I shoot the majority of my work on location, and I prefer to shoot only using available light. With the IQ250, I can shoot portraits of couples any time of day, under just about any conditions Mother Nature offers me, and still retain all the details. Couples rely on me to capture one of the happiest moments in their life, and they expect the outcome to be perfect. With the IQ250 I can deliver on this expectation with greater confidence, quality and detail than ever before." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_rX9lRqgRg 

"My photography work spans several genres, so flexibility is extremely important to me, said California-based wedding and portrait photographer, Justine Ungaro. “The IQ250 has been absolutely life changing in allowing me to capture gorgeously clean and crisp medium format images on all of my shoots. This new back has transformed my existing Phase One 645DF+ camera body and wonderful range of Schneider Kreuznach leaf shutter lenses into a workhorse kit which is quickly pushing my other camera gear to the background. Along with Capture One for image processing, I'm so pleased with the truly superior image quality with a dynamic range that is simply incredible.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EO1IkjT7Lc 

“We are very proud to introduce the Phase One IQ250 which carries on the tradition of Phase One high-quality medium format gear,” said Henrik O. Håkonsson, CEO & President, Phase One. “The wider ISO range in this new CMOS-based system, for example, illustrates our desire to continue pushing the envelope for our customers, to help them succeed in all of their unique imaging challenges.”

Pricing and Availability

The Phase One IQ250 system is available now and may be ordered through Phase One photography partners worldwide: www.phaseone.com/partners For a complete list of all the Phase One IQ250 digital back features, including supported camera bodies, please see www.phaseone.com/iq2

Prices start at 24990 EUR / 34990 USD. The Phase One IQ250 comes with Capture One software for optimal raw image processing and image editing. Attractive camera system upgrade offers are available for all existing Phase One photographers. For a demo of this product, please sign up here: www.phaseone.com/demo

About Phase One

Phase One is the world’s leader in open-platform, high-end camera systems and solutions. Phase One cameras, digital backs and lenses are designed to deliver superior quality image capture and investment value. Phase One’s Capture One and Media Pro software help streamline capture and post-production processes for both medium format and DSLR cameras. Phase One products are known for their quality, flexibility and speed enabling pro photographers shooting in a wide range of formats to achieve their creative visions without compromise.

Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tel Aviv. Phase One and Capture One are registered trademarks of Phase One A/S. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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