When Phase One launched its XF medium format system, it said the high-end setup was designed for high resolution photography, and it appears it wasn't kidding. The firm has now announced that, in conjunction with Sony, it's developed a 100-megapixel full-frame medium format CMOS sensor which will be used in the new the XF 100MP Camera System.

Phase One and Sony have previously worked together to produce the IQ250, which was the first digital back to feature a CMOS sensor. However, its 44 x 33 mm sensor (while 68 percent larger than that of a full-frame 35-mm-format camera) resulted in a 1.3 lens factor. Phase One says developing a true full-frame medium format CMOS sensor was an obvious next step.

Now, after once again collaborating with Sony, Phase One is launching the XF 100MP Camera System which has an IQ3 100MP digital back featuring a 100-megapixel CMOS sensor which measures 53.7 x 40.4 mm. This makes it considerably bigger than the 44 x 33 mm sensors used in the likes of the Hasselblad H5D-50c or the Pentax 645Z.

The Phase One XF Camera System was designed to make the most of very high resolution sensors

Use of the super-sized CMOS sensor means the camera can offer a 16-bit color output, 15 stops of dynamic range and a wide ISO range of 50 to 12800. The sensor also allows exposure times of up to 60 minutes, live view capturing with HDMI output, and means that the full field-of-view of medium format lenses can be realized.

Features of the XF system, which were designed to make it ready for use with very high megapixel sensors, include its Honeybee Auto Focus system, Vibration Tracking, Electronic First Curtain Shutter, and Vibration Detection technology. When it comes to processing those massive 100-megapixel 16-bit images, Phase One says its Capture One 9 software will deliver superior image quality.

As we know, big sensors don't come cheap and the price of the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System (with a Schneider Kreuznach 80 mm LS lens) is US$48,990, with immediate availability.

You can check out what the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System is capable of in the promo video below.

Source: Phase One