Wanna shoot over ONE MILLION frames per second? The Phantom TMX 5010 finds new frontiers in frame rates
(Image credit: Vision Research)
When your slow-motion needs to be slower than slow, the Phantom TMX 5010 should be your port of call. Just announced, this specialist slow-mo camera can capture video at an impressive 1.16 million frames per second.
It’s the latest entry in a series that also includes the TMX 6410 and the TMX 7510, both of which can shoot at even faster frame rates. The TMX 5010 differs, however, in that Vision Research is billing it as “entry-level”. This means a comparatively lower price tag than the other Phantom models – though, as we’ll see, this is something of a relative term.
The Phantom TMX 5010 uses a back-side illuminated sensor, a special high-speed model that allows for the super-high frame rates. At its maximum resolution of 1200 x 800 it can reach a frame rate of 50,725; to get the faster frame rates, including the 1.16 million, the resolution is reduced.
It’s designed for research applications first and foremost. It’s equipped with 512GB of RAM, and is capable of achieving exposures as short as 95 nanoseconds, completely eliminating motion blur. This is done using the dedicated FAST option, wherein the camera can achieve 50Gpx/second throughput. The upshot of this is higher resolution images at faster frame rate, which has many uses in research applications, where getting crystal-clear with nanoseconds of difference can be paramount.
The Phantom TMX 5010 can also be used with some of the best Canon lenses, and allows for control over aperture and focus via software, though this does require an adapter. There is also a viewfinder port that allows for connection of an external viewfinder or monitor.
(Image credit: Vision Research)
While the Phantom TMX 5010 is described as “entry-level”, as we said, this is relative – it’s still going to come with a five-figure price tag (you have to get in touch with the team at Vision Research to get a quote). Still, it’s always interesting to see what’s going on at the forefront of camera development technology – it can give a few hints as to what kind of advancements we might expect to appear in consumer cameras a few years down the line.
Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
We’re probably not going to see a million frames per second in the next Canon RF or Sony Alpha camera, but hey – it doesn’t hurt to dream. And in the meantime, maybe some enterprising YouTuber will rent out a Phantom TMX 5010 to give us a closer look at the 1.16-million fps footage…
Jon spent years at IPC Media writing features, news, reviews and other photography content for publications such as Amateur Photographer and What Digital Camera in both print and digital form. With his additional experience for outlets like Photomonitor, this makes Jon one of our go-to specialists when it comes to all aspects of photography, from cameras and action cameras to lenses and memory cards, flash diffusers and triggers, batteries and memory cards, selfie sticks and gimbals, and much more besides.
An NCTJ-qualified journalist, he has also contributed to Shortlist, The Skinny, ThreeWeeks Edinburgh, The Guardian, Trusted Reviews, CreativeBLOQ, and probably quite a few others I’ve forgotten.
