Phase One Trichromatic Philosophy
Phase One’s color technology has set a new benchmark in the era of digital color photography. Inspired by photographers longing for organic color rendering, Phase One together with Sony created the Phase One Trichromatic Philosophy. It’s of course true that all digital color camera systems are built upon the interpretation of the three primary colors. The difference in the Phase One Trichromatic Philosophy, however, is in our application and approach.
The technology inherent in the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic starts with the hardware. We have physically customized the Color Bayer filter on an all new 101-megapixel sensor to tailor the color response. This allows the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic to capture color in a new way, unlike anything else. In essence, it’s designed around the concept of mimicking the dynamic color response of the human eye.
New sensor dedicated to color
Commissioned by Phase One and built by Sony, the new Phase One Trichromatic sensor is only found within the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic Digital Back. This opens a fresh world of color capability, capturing vivid and vibrant color close to the dynamic color ability of human vision. This pioneering technology sets the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic in a league of its own.
“The ability to capture an image that reflects almost exactly what you see the moment you press the shutter button, with little to no interpretation or conjecture, is a fantastic leap for photography and, more importantly, for the integrity of image quality.” - Niels Knudsen, Phase One Image Quality Professor
Focusing on ISO
The ISO performance of the new IQ3 100MP Trichromatic sensor has expanded to a range never-before reached in a medium format CMOS sensor. While others may concentrate on higher ISO’s, Phase One concentrates first on image quality. A base ISO of 35 means the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic can produce the cleanest 101- megapixel image possible, and reaching to 12,800 provides the flexibility required by the world’s most demanding photographers.
More than just technology
The Phase One Trichromatic Philosophy represents more than just the technology that helps realize its vision. It’s a dedication to photography, to art and to image quality. It's the leadership in an industry driven by technology which stops to ask questions about what improvements are truly needed and what simply isn’t good enough. The Phase One Trichromatic Philosophy is a promise that where color and quality can expand, while others may be satisfied with what they have, Phase One will always strive for perfection.
IQ3 100MP Trichromatic FAQ
Questions and answers for the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic
Has the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic changed the array of the color filter on the new Trichromatic sensor?
- The filter array of the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic remains as a standard RGBG Bayer filter mosaic. As this sensor is customized specifically for color, the filtering material that defines the color response of each individual pixel has been customized to produce cleaner R, G and B values.
Will the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic produce more accurate colors than other digital CMOS sensors?
- The new sensor of the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic is designed to provide accurate colors more easily as the sensor can ensure the purity of color measure for each individual pixel. This is easiest to see in richer chroma as there is less contamination (and therefore improved additive color control) from neighboring hues.
Does the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic have a greater color depth than previous digital backs?
- The IQ3 100MP Trichromatic, along with the existing IQ3 100MP and IQ3 80MP Digital Backs, produce 16bit color RAW files. The IQ3 100MP Trichromatic, however, is able to capture, control and therefore deliver these colors in a way that mimics the color response of the human eye, giving a more natural, pure result. This provides improved color performance, efficiency and post processing flexibility.
Is it possible to update my existing IQ3 100MP digital back to an IQ3 100MP Trichromatic?
- As the IQ3 100MP Trichromatic is built around an all new sensor, it is not possible to apply the changes to an existing IQ3 100MP. You are able, however, to trade in your existing IQ3 100MP for an IQ3 100MP Trichromatic through your local Phase One Partner.
