Phase One XT Camera System review

The ultimate field camera kit for landscape and architectural photographers? We get hands on with the $57,000 Phase One XT

Sebastian Oakley using the Phase One XT on location
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

This is a unique camera in the digital era, that offers a field camera that can offer 150 megapixels of resolution in a kit that you can use for landscape photography missions, or for single-handed architectural assignments. The modular design mean you can opt for less luxurious backs, but the system is limited by only having three lenses at launch - albeit that all of these have shift movements for adjusting converging verticals, and the additional benefit of integral leaf shutters. But despite the huge price, and the limitations, there are enough people who want and need this camera, that it is almost inevitably going to remain on back order for a long time.

Pros

  • +

    Modular system, with super-slim camera

  • +

    Shift movements as standard

  • +

    Leaf shutter mechanism

Cons

  • -

    More expensive than a luxury car

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The new Phase One XT is a portable medium format camera that combines Phase One’s ultra-high resolution IQ4 digital back system with a trio of lenses from renowned optics maker Rodenstock via a super slimline XT camera body.

Make no mistake, the Phase One is expensive, hugely expensive, even compared to the best medium format cameras you can buy right now. But it’s not designed for the mass market, or even most professionals (and even if you are one of the pros this is aimed at, you may simply just end up hiring it by the day). 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 

His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.

He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.

With contributions from