For some time, I’ve wondered how the Phase One P40+ would handle high ISO in the Sensor Plus mode. In Sensor Plus mode, the P40+ produces a 10 megapixel file (40 megapixels at normal full rez mode). The Phase One P65+ also utilizes Sensor Plus technology and produces a 15 megapixel file in Sensor Plus mode (60 megapixels at normal full rez mode). I decided to do a basic comparison with my Canon 5DMKII at ISO 800. No adjustments have been made to these images other than white balance off the right arm of the white sweater.
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I have to say I was surprised at the results. While I expected good results, I didn’t expect the P40+ to rival the 5DMKII, but that is just what it did. Very similar results, if even a little more natural looking to my eye in favor of the P40+. This gives users a very flexible system that is capable of producing 35mm DSLR-equivalent image quality at high ISO. The beauty is that if light changes (either by choice or not), there is no need to change cameras and lenses, but instead, with the push of a button, you can continue shooting medium format, shooting with the same lenses and covering the same size sensor (no sensor crop when using Sensor Plus).
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Interestingly, though taken at virtually the same exposure, the P40+ file appeared about a third stop more sensitive than the 5DMKII file.
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Phase One P40+ Daylite
Canon 5DMKII Daylite
Phase One P40+ Daylite Crop
Canon 5DMKII Daylite Crop