These Go to 11 (Thousand): Vision Research's New Miro Camcorders Top out at 650,000 FPS

When releasing a pro video camera these days, 1080p at 60 frames per second seems to be some sort of feature tipping point. The $15k (roughly) Sony F3 and Canon C300 can't do it, but the $5k Sony FS100 and AF100 can. The RED SCARLET-X can do it provided you take into account a 3.2X crop factor. But if slow-motion is really important to you, Vision Research's new compact Miro line of camcorders (their Phantom camera is a larger, more fully-featured cinema camera) go all the way up to 650,000 frames per second. Even without dropping the resolution, the M310 (there are three models) reaches 3,200 FPS at 1080p, for an insane datarate of 3.2 Gigapixels/second. The Miro cameras do everything in slow motion except drain your wallet: the cams will start at $25k.

For the record, here's a clip shot at a mere 7,155 FPS on the previous model of Miro camera. Full details on the new M110, M210, and M310 in the press release below; Vision makes a lot of models.

Can you imagine if this were realtime? Guns certainly would be less dangerous.

[via 2-pop]

Press Release

Vision Research Introduces Third-Generation Phantom Miro Digital High-Speed Cameras

New M110, M310, and M120 Offer High-Speed Features In Easy-to-Use, Compact Design

WAYNE, N.J. (November 11, 2011) - Vision Research, a leading manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems, unveils its new line of Phantom® Miro M-Series digital high-speed cameras, which includes the M110, M310 and M120. These flexible, easy-to-use cameras contain all the high-performance features science, engineering and research professionals expect from Vision Research in a compact, simple design.

"With innovation and versatility at the forefront of our design, Vision Research continues to fuel the high-speed digital imaging market with the introduction of the new Phantom Miro M-Series camera line," said Rick Robinson, Division V.P. Marketing, Vision Research. "With the ability to capture high-quality images at the most common resolutions and speeds, these new cameras address the broad range of applications that scientists, engineers, and researchers need to support their testing and analysis requirements."

Vision Research designed the Phantom Miro M-Series cameras with flexibility, versatility and accessibility in mind. The 1-megapixel Miro M110 and M310 include a Vision Research custom-designed 1280 x 800 CMOS sensor, whose widescreen format allows users to keep objects in the frame longer and see more of the event they are recording. The M110 has a 1.6 Gigapixel/second (Gpx/s) throughput, making possible image capture up to 1600 frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution. The M310 has a 3.2 Gpx/s throughput and can capture up to 3200 fps at full resolution. If higher speeds are needed, reduced resolution images are available up to 400,000 fps for the M110 and 650,000 for the M310. Both models feature high-light sensitivity and great dynamic range for superior low-light images, which are often a problem with high-speed imaging.

The 2-megapixel M120 also includes a Vision Research-designed CMOS sensor with a 1.6 Gpx/s throughput, resulting in the capture of 730 fps at 1920 x 1200, 800 fps at 1920 x 1080, or 1200 fps at 1152 x 1152. If a higher speed is needed, the M120 can deliver reduced resolution images up to 200,000 fps. The M120 uses microlenses on its sensor to achieve high-light sensitivity and offers high-dynamic range for excellent image quality.

Key Features of the Phantom Miro M-Series Cameras:

• 1 megapixel and 2 megapixel custom-designed CMOS sensors
• Up to 3.2 gigapixels/second throughput
• High-light sensitivity
• Global Electronic Shutter
• 3GB, 6GB, or 12GB memory configurations
• Phantom CineFlash™ Storage System
• Extreme Dynamic Range function
• Rechargeable battery
• Compact, rugged design

Each camera in the Miro M-Series line is available with 3GB, 6GB, or 12GB of memory configuration, which can be segmented into as many as 16 partitions for cine storage. Additionally, each camera comes standard with the suite of Vision Research features that set Phantom cameras apart from others: Extreme Dynamic Range, Auto-Exposure, Image-Based Auto-Trigger, PIV Mode, Burst Mode, camera synchronization, and many others.

An integrated internal mechanical shutter for remote and automatic black references is another unique innovation from Vision Research that comes standard on all Miro M-Series models. This means each shot is properly referenced for maximum image quality. Additionally, there is no need to manually cap the lens or even touch the camera since the black reference can be done remotely or automatically before each shot.

The cameras start at approximately $25,000 and will begin shipping in mid-January 2012.

About Vision Research
Vision Research designs and manufactures high-speed digital imaging systems used in applications including defense, automotive, engineering, science, medical research, industrial manufacturing and packaging, sports and entertainment, and digital cinematography for television and movie production.

The Wayne, N.J.-based company prides itself on the unsurpassed light-sensitivity, image resolution, acquisition speed, and image quality produced by its systems, as well as robust software interfaces, reliability and versatility of its camera family – all which continue to stand as benchmarks for the high‑speed digital imaging industry. Known for its innovations in high-speed digital camera technology and sensor design, Vision Research has received numerous research and development awards and was recently honored with an Emmy® Award for its revolutionary technology and engineering.

Vision Research's broad line of digital high-speed cameras, marketed under the Phantom® brand, add a new dimension to the sense of sight. They are used as innovative engineering tools, enabling users to visualize and analyze physical phenomena when it's too fast to see, and too important not to™. For additional information regarding Vision Research, please visit www.visionresearch.com.

Vision Research is a business unit of the Materials Analysis Division of AMETEK Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices.