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+, P45+, or P65+ as these do not use microlenses. While the P25+ and P45+ perform excellently with technical movements the P65+ does even better, yielding unprecendently low-cast images even with large movements.

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 the Ultimate?

The P65+ is not to be taken lightly. This back packs 60 megapixels onto the only true-full-frame medium format sensor in the world. It’s advanced electronics package and Phase One patent-pending chip design have elevated this DB to the highest dynamic range and most accurate color of any medium format digital back. For applications where speed is needed, the full 60 megapixel 16bit raw file can be captured at 60 frames per minute.  This back is not for everyone, but if you crave the absolute best, the exclusive availablity of the P65+ sensor to Phase One ensures that you will own the best digital back made well into the future.

Need Resolution, but the P65+ is out of your budget?

The P45+ weighs in at 39 megapixels. Better yet, every one of those 39,000,000 pixels will have the incredible color, dynamic range, 16 bit accuracy, and sharp detail that only a medium format digital back can provide. If you crave resolution, crop often, or make very large prints, but have ruled out the P65+ then 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.