We got the chance to test it for a week. It’s remarkably easy to use, and it’s capable of capturing more image detail than you’ll likely ever need. Quite simply, it’s one of the sickest camera systems you can buy for any money — and we’re talking about some serious coin here. For $47,990, you get the back, the body and a Schneider Kreuznach 80 mm LS f/2.8 lens.
What you’re left holding is the photographic equivalent of a Bentley-Ferrari pickup truck — it’s sexy and elegant and expensive and you’re kind of afraid you’re going to run it into a tree, but its virtually limitless utility makes it capable of handling almost any job.
The images produced by the 80-megapixel digital back are massive — upwards of 500MB each. If you were to pull a file straight out of the camera and print it out at full print resolution, your image would be about 34 inches wide. That amount of depth adds a level of clarity and definition to your images that’s truly stunning.
Key benefits include
- Ultimate image quality with resolutions of 80, 60.5 or 40 megapixels respectively
- 3.2'' touch screen with 1.15 megapixel resolution to zoom, pan and browse images
- Fastest tethered capture
- Sensor+ technology for faster workflow and higher ISO sensitivity
- Focus Mask to validate depth-of-field and image focus
World leading image quality
The Phase One IQ series digital backs offers 80, 60.5 and 40 megapixels resolution respectively. IQ180 and IQ160 both capture in full-frame 645 format. With these backs you can capture images of stunning quality with extreme detail reproduction. The high resolution gives you maximum versatility with your images, ensuring high quality and usage, even when you work with cropped images. The full-frame capture format ensures the best wide angle performance with your lenses.Touch screen display
The touch screen lets you zoom, pan and browse through images fast and it is easy to navigate between different menus and features. IQ180 digital back is designed with invisible controls that are context sensitive and appear only when specific areas of the screen are touched. One example of this is the unique instant zoom function, which allows you to zoom just by using just one finger. Small histograms and highlight warnings can be enlarged to full screen view by simply touching them.Wide format display allows for a full 4:3 aspect ratio VGA resolution image next to histogram, highlight warning, focus mask, EXIF data, and touch controls. It is possible to operate the IQ180 using the touch screen display or the well-known and intuitive 4-button navigation.
Highest resolution camera display with vibrant colors
The IQ180 features a large 3.2" high resolution touch display. With the 1.15 megapixel resolution display very fine details can be checked instantly. With a very high pixel pitch of 290 ppi (dpi) most people can't distinguish between the individual pixels at a normal viewing distance.The automatic adjustment of brightness and contrast ensures that the display is visible in various light scenarios. The display also has an extreme viewing angle of 170 degrees, so images easily can be validated at a glance. It has extremely good color rendition and color gradations with 16 million colors.
Fastest tethered capture
With the IQ180 you are sure to have consistent fast capture rates when photographing. The digital back features a FireWire 800 connection, ensuring the fastest tethered capture speeds possible today.A new optimized hardware feature is the integrated battery charger which charges the battery from the FireWire 800 connection. This ensures that the battery is charged when you’re shooting tethered, and your back is always ready for untethered use offering you more versatility in your creative work.
Sensor+ for high ISO captures
The IQ180 can support your photography in a variety of work conditions. The digital back features the patented Sensor+ technology making it a highly versatile tool that helps you capture beautiful images in a variety of working conditions. You can choose to shoot in full resolution – up to 80 megapixel - or you can use the Sensor+ technology and go for a faster workflow, capturing images with up to 20 megapixel resolution at 4 times higher ISO speeds, up to ISO 3200.Capturing in Sensor+ mode is especially well suited for shooting in low light conditions and the technology enables you to capture sharper images with less moiré. With Sensor+ there are no crop or lens factors; you get the maximum wide angle performance with your lenses.
