NEW Phase One XC IQ4 | Medium Format Compactness

The new Phase One XC IQ4 is a compact medium format camera with 150MP resolution. In this video I unbox the camera, provide a comprehensive introduction into this new camera and also show lots of sample images shot in the Swiss mountains.

Content:
00:00 Introduction
00:42 Unboxing & first steps - enjoy the show!
03:48 Design - compact medium format perfection
05:01 Fixed mounted Rodenstock 23mm f/5.6 lens
05:29 The Phase One IQ4 digital back sensor
05:45 The Phase One XC is not a system camera
06:33 Memory card slots and important ports
07:45 Arca Swiss compatible tripod plate & minimalism
08:15 My unit here has still a beta firmware version
08:43 The lens cap of the Rodenstock lens is a joke
09:57 A quick walk through the menu of the IQ4
11:38 Lots of sample images shot in the Swiss mountains
22:42 Wrap-up & conclusions

Related videos on my channel:

Phase One IQ4 on Alpa 12 Pano | THE Best for Panorama Stitching:

Mamiya RZ67 Pro IID + Phase One IQ4 | MEDIUM FORMAT Dream:

$6'000 LEICA SL2 Multishot vs $40'000 PHASE ONE XF IQ4:

PHASE ONE XF IQ4 | 150MP Macro Photography:

SHARP as 120MP | LEICA M10 MONO vs 150MP PHASE ONE IQ4:

PHASE ONE XT IQ4 | The BEST SMALLEST Technical VIEW Camera:

Phase One XF IQ4 Automated Frame Averaging: reduce noise & take long exposures:

Phase One IQ4 150MP in Dubai (on ALPA View Camera & XF Body): camera intro & lots of sample photos

Phase One IQ3 100MP Trichromatic & Alpa Technical Camera: Testing the Resolution:

Phase One IQ4 Focus Stacking - playing with the new digital back & XF body:

Music (if applicable):

#PhaseOne

[geddonjt]

Its amazing that you got your hands on this camera. This in my view has to be the most niche camera of all time. Doesn’t mean it’s not super cool. :)
Thanks so much for making the effort and sharing with everyone. Great work as always.

[DavidDatura]

That photo where the couple were invisible until magnified. And not just that, but the amount of detail rendered in that couple…was extraordinary! 🤯 that’s what 150MP MF sensor gives you, just amazing!

[derrickdu]

Must have been fun to play with this camera. Astrophotography on this would be amazing.

[petergregory]

I’m glad to have seen this camera in action. It seems to generate a different world view. Your neck of the woods is very photogenic. Those secret doors! Built by Zurich gnomes, most probably.

[aliendroneservices]

Congrats on reaching 40k subs, *_mathphotographer!_*

[edwardferry]

Their are cameras and then there is Phase One, utterly extraordinary 👌

[zoltankaparthy]

The usual excellent comprehensive review. I will have to content myself with the X2D, however. The Phase One is remarkable, though.

[richarddenise]

The Ultimate!!! I’m smitten. Excellent!

[depotmsa]

I wanna try that ! it looks very inspiring to shoot with !

[tamasnemeth]

At @9:00 : The reason why Rodenstock doesn't provide such lenscap is that the rear part of those lens caps would scratch the front lens element - especially for the 23 and the 32mm lens. I have heard of a few lenses returned for service because of that..
Of course it is not an issue for your setup, having a protective filter in between - but probably vignetting is.
I recommend to use screw in lens cap instead. It takes a bit more time to remove the cap, but I believe it is worth.

[---usqf]

Hahahahahahahaha!
I love that wooden handgrip. It is classic looking.

[mikelyon]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[hlash]

What a fun video Great work! truly astonishing sensor.
wish my Q3 had frame averaging, cool feature

[andyvan]

thanks, yours is the first real look at what the camera really is, a fixed lens, wide-angle camera, even Phase One's own website doesn't make this clear!, so good on you for your full unabridged look at it. ( I asked them, on the website, and they got specular in Melbourne to call me, in Adelaide to confirm this info.- bang on!, this is like a swc for hasselblad, only one lens!, but if you have a use for it, a great tool.).
I shoot a lot of things, buildings and vehicles mostly, so I went for the H system, from Hasselblad, second hand, but this lens interchangeability, and with the simpler controls, for a non-pro, like myself, is a better fit for my needs, and with only a P45+ and a cf back (22MP) it is less of a chore for editing in photoshop.

[ronaldsand]

Hi Matt
Looks very utilitarian with no effort in industrial design or ergonomics, this plus having a fixed lens for a camera of this price point would also be completely unacceptable for me
I do however hope you get lots of use and enjoyment from this camera
Image output as expected is very impressive
Kindest regards Ron

[uabpsab]

Is there anyway to see the f-stop in the capture one screens?

[cheynewalls]

Thanks for all this great information, this video was very helpful. I'm also a landscape photographer and Phase One has contacted me to test out there new XC 40 camera while I'm out in the field. Any other useful tips or tricks you have learned since posting this video? Thank you and beautiful Rolex GMT - Master II, Cheers

[kclofter]

Nice review, as usual. Rodenstock is not the only company that provides terrible lens caps - Zeiss caps are even worse. Hasselblad came out with a new metal design that is more robust, but they also are a bit unstable. I change all of my caps over to Nikon, exactly like your Hama.

[stevelink]

Thank you for your superb introduction to this incredible and expensive MF System! In your opinion, at what size print enlargement would you need in order to see a difference in sharpness and image detail over, say, the Fuji GFX100S LLC or the Hasselblad X2D 100?

[AMGOSUK]

Thanks for this.
But I "still" do not understand if one has the cash for the XC why one would NOT buy an XT for a tiny bit more. The "only" difference is the body. No shift, + shutter button and +handle (which can be added to the XT).
I have "always" found the left grip pointless and now a right grip without buttons/dials etc.... WHY restrict to one lens and not shift? Just to save a very few K on a hefty price. The IQ4 is the same in vbth and you can pick the same lens and put it on the XT.
Is the weatherproofing on the XC better than the XT?
AND yes the Alpa is even more flexible - but larger and heavier.
So the only selling point of the XC is the smaller/more compact size.
The disadvantage of the IQ4 is the lack of a tilting rear screen - but one can use cascade and that is great. I am sure from an IQ it is wonderful. But useability -vs- XT ???
Or just but