One shot, one hundred megapixels. For years we've dismissed the idea that more pixels equal better quality, but maybe it's time to set that aside. Phase One worked closely with Sony to develop the XF 100MP, a monster presented as "Full Frame Medium Format" that aims to rewrite the rules of photography... and melt budgets.
The Megapixel Race Is Over
Years ago, the megapixel race was completely abandoned, and anyone wanting a camera with good performance knows they should look at other specifications. The biggest challenge for a casual photographer is balancing their budget through a reasonable model, but in the professional realm different rules apply. There are times when a much larger investment is simply necessary, and for that, products must live up to the occasion. A good example at the time was the Canon EF 1200mm lens, but what brings us here today is the 100-megapixel XF 100MP camera, developed by Phase One with assistance from Sony.
Specifications That Redefine the Format
The official Phase One page describes the XF 100MP as "Full Frame Medium Format", with a sensor of 53.7 by 40.4 millimeters (that is, larger than the traditional full frame size of 36 by 24 millimeters). It also features 16-bit color output, 15 stops of dynamic range, ISO values from 50 to 12,800, support for 60-minute exposures, and an advanced anti-vibration system that reduces any unexpected movement at the moment of a shot, thus preventing image degradation under more demanding settings.
Price and Package
The images available in the press release (you can download it from the official site) are truly impressive, even within a PDF optimized for general distribution. The complete package consists of the body, a Schneider Kreuznach 80mm lens, and its main module. As for the price, well... I hope you're sitting down: $49,000. Evidently, Phase One is targeting a very specific segment of the market with this camera. Its technology should reach more affordable units in the future, but we'll have to wait a while.
