Less than four months after BJP revealed that Phase One was working on new digital backs, the Danish company has unveiled the IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140.

The three digital backs, which offer resolutions of 80 megapixels, 60.5 megapixels and 40 megapixels, respectively, represent a "new generation of medium format camera backs," claims Phase One, which will "set new standards for medium format camera system handling and performance."

The IQ180 comes four months after Leaf unveiled its own 80-megapixel back in September 2010. But, in an interview with BJP, Henrik Håkonsson, president and CEO of Phase One, said at the time that the "80-megapixel sensor concept was first initiated by Phase One more than two years ago. Leaf has an ability to implement a 80-megapixel sensor into the Aptus platform. But, Phase One has a different idea."

Phase One's 80-megapixel digital back offers a dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops and is the first product of its kind to feature a USB3 connection, says Phase One. It also features a FireWire 800 connection and a new memory card interface to reduce buffering delays, "supporting continuous shooting until a card is filled," claims the Danish company.

The new backs also feature a 3.2-inch retina type, multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1.15 megapixels. "This means that very fine details can be checked instantly during a photo shoot," says Phase One. "Context-sensitive controls, such as the instant zoom function, allow a photographer to zoom into an image using one finger only. Small histograms and highlight warnings can be enlarged to full screen view by a simple touch. This touch screen display is complemented by Phase One's intuitive 4-button navigation."

The IQ180 model also sports Phase One's Sensor+ technology, which allows for photographers to shoot either at full resolution or switch to capture images with a resolution of 20 megapixels at a higher sensitivity of up to ISO3200. "This flexibility is very useful under low light conditions; there is no need to slow down to change cameras, and there's no crop or lens factor," says Phase One.

The Danish company has also improved compatibility between its 645DF camera body and the new backs, offering direct control over the power state of the back through the camera body. "An integrated battery charger ensures that the battery is charged while one is shooting tethered, offering more shooting versatility," says Phase One.

The Phase One IQ180 will be available from April, while the IQ160 and IQ140 are expected to be available end of May. Prices start at €16,990 / $21,990.

Visit www.phaseone.com.

BJP will be speaking with Phase One on Tuesday 25 January. If you have questions on Phase One's new digital backs, leave a comment below.