Which P+ Digital Back is right for you?

The current line of Phase One digital backs is uncompromising in quality. Although there is a wide range of prices, every digital back offers exceptionally high-quality and flexible images. Instead of looking at solutions as entry-level or high-end, it is better to match a digital back to your needs. The P30+ is a great balance of cost, resolution, and speed, and is our favorite back for most photographers. But each back in the current lineup caters to different niches. If you need higher resolution, faster speed, or if architectural or interior shots are your mainstay, the P30+ is not for you.

P30+, the Perfect Balance for most applications

The 31.6-megapixel P30+ is our favorite digital back. It is the best balance of cost, resolution, and speed. Those switching from a 35mm digital camera will find the increases in resolution, shadow detail, image flexibility, and color accuracy are not just a step forward, they are a major leap.

Need to Tilt/Shift on a View Camera with a Wide Angle Lens?

The P30+ and P21+ use an array of microlenses in front of the sensor, one microlens per pixel. This creates cleaner images at higher ISOs. However, when using movements on a view camera (or technical camera) with a lens wider than 45mm, the light from the lens strikes the microlenses at a strong angle, and creates undesirable effects. The widest fully-usable lens, the 45mm lens on a P21+/30+, is about the same as a 35mm lens on a 35mm system, so this is a fairly specific problem. However, architectural shooters and interior shooters who use wide angle lenses in conjunction with tilts and shifts will want to consider a P25+ or P45+, as neither uses microlenses.

Want to Shoot Square Format Images?

The P20+ uses a square 16-megapixel sensor. If you want to compose and shoot square images, the P20+ is your best option.

Need More Resolution?

The P45+ is the king of resolution at 39 megapixels. But why stop there? By stitching three slightly overlapping P45+ images, you could obtain a 100 megapixel image (a 572 megabyte TIFF) that can be printed 70″x36″ at 200 dpi. Best yet, every one of those 100,000,000 pixels will have the incredible color, dynamic range, and detail that only a medium format digital back can provide. If you crave resolution, crop often, or make very large prints, the P45+ is your best option.

Need More Speed?

The P21+ can capture one image every 0.8 seconds, or 50% faster than the P30+. If shooting quickly is your style, but you crave the quality of medium format digital, the P21+ is your best option.