Phase One P40 Plus vs Phase One P45 Plus — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Phase One · Medium Format · 40 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P40 Plus
54
WINNER
|
Phase One · Medium Format · 39 MP · Medium Format
Phase One P45 Plus
51
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Phase One P40 Plus and Phase One P45 Plus are both medium format cameras built around the same Mamiya 645 AF lens mount, so the lens choice carries across either body. The P40 Plus arrived in 2009, two years after the 2007 P45 Plus, and the pair differs mainly in capture speed, sensitivity range and weight. The P40 Plus is the far lighter body at 1030 g, against 1800 g for the P45 Plus, a 770 g difference. Dimensions stay close, at 154 x 128 x 184 mm for the P40 Plus and 156 x 128 x 184 mm for the P45 Plus. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 29, 2009 | January 1, 2007 |
| Camera type |  Medium Format | Medium Format |
| Camera size | 154 x 128 x 184 mm | 156 x 128 x 184 mm |
| Camera weight | 1030 g | 1800 g |
| Optics | 71/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe P40 Plus is the stronger choice for photographing movement, shooting at 2 frames per second where the P45 Plus manages 0.67. That extra speed gives a better chance of catching a fleeting expression or a passing cloud formation between frames. The P40 Plus also reaches 3200 ISO, where the P45 Plus stops at 800, keeping faster shutter speeds available for handheld interior or late-day work. Resolution is a near match at 40 MP against 39 MP, with little effect on cropping or print size. Both use CCD medium format sensors and a 1/10000 second maximum shutter. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, and both provide three autofocus points and a pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
40 MP050 | 39 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6496 x 4872 | 7246 x 5444 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
32.9 x 43.9 | 37 x 49 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Medium Format | Medium Format |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2 fps045 | 0.67 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Mamiya 645 AF | Mamiya 645 AF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Phase-One | Phase-One |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 8003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 8003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 360044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
1000080032000 | 1000080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
30300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThis is a similarity worth knowing before buying: neither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so both are strictly stills tools. Anyone who needs motion capture alongside medium format stills work will need a second camera, whichever of these two they choose. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 14/100 | 14/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesControls and connectivity match here, which keeps the choice between them about capture rather than handling. Both offer wifi for wireless image transfer, an external flash shoe for studio strobes, and a 2.2-inch LCD with 230400 dots for reviewing frames. Both omit touch control, a flip-out screen, live view, GPS tagging and weather sealing, so composition stays through the optical viewfinder and location data must be recorded separately. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.2" | 2.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2304001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe card and battery specifications match, so a Compact Flash card and a BP-915 battery move directly between the two bodies. Each has a single Compact Flash slot with no second slot for backup, and both batteries carry a 2500-shot rating under their test conditions. Neither camera charges over USB, so a multi-day shoot means packing the charger rather than relying on a cable. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-915 | BP-915 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2500 shots1505000 | 2500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Phase One P40 Plus is the better buy for most photographers comparing these two. Its 2 fps capture suits wedding formals, group portraits and any subject that moves between frames, where the P45 Plus at 0.67 fps often gets one chance per moment. Its sensitivity range up to 3200 ISO keeps handheld work practical indoors or toward dusk, settings the P45 Plus cannot reach.
The P45 Plus gives up little in resolution at 39 MP against 40, and the two share a mount, cards and batteries. The P40 Plus still shoots faster, reaches 3200 ISO against 800 and weighs 770 g less, so it is the better choice for nearly any subject that moves or any dim venue.