Last Updated on 03/24/2014 by Chris Gampat
Phase One just came out with something designed for UAVs–and it’s bound to capture loads of details. Today, the company announced their brand new IXU 150 with a 50MP CMOS sensor. The camera boasts 8280 pixels cross- track coverage–which means that it’s getting a lot more out of each image than a full frame DSLR can. Plus the sensor can shoot from ISO 100 to 6400. The camera uses magnesium and therefore is also said to be 30% lighter than aluminum designs. Beyond that, the Phase One iXU 150 will be available in either visible light or Near-IR configurations. Years ago, what the Army used to do is use Infrared films like Aerochrome in drones. That film turned all greens into a pink/purple and as we’ve seen recently in music videos you can totally get that look again.
The camera uses the company’s Schneider-Kreuznach lenses, which when we tested out years ago we weren’t so crazy about.  The camera will start shipping in July. The Phase One iXU 150 has a list price of $40,000 USD. That means that mere mortals won’t be getting their hands on this camera unless they’re on a trust fund and live in an area where drone flight isn’t illegal.