Vision Research high-speed camera for extreme slow-motion capture up to 1.75 million fps at 1280×800 or 28,325 fps in 4K resolution.
Technical Details
The Phantom TMX series achieves maximum resolutions of 1280×800 pixels at 1.75 million fps, while the Phantom Flex4K manages up to 28,325 fps at 4K resolution. At its core is a highly sensitive CMOS sensor with a global shutter, which exposes all pixels simultaneously, thus eliminating rolling shutter distortion. The integrated RAM of up to 288 GB acts as a buffer for the enormous amounts of data. The cameras require lighting levels of at least 100,000 lux at maximum frame rate, which is why 18,000-watt HMI lights are frequently used.
History & Development
Vision Research developed the first Phantom camera in 1989 for military ballistics testing. The film-ready Phantom HD debuted in 2007 and established high-speed cinematography in the Hollywood mainstream. In 2012, the Phantom Flex followed with 4K capability, and in 2016, the TMX series with record speeds. Originally, the systems cost over $500,000; today, entry-level models start at $150,000.
Practical Use in Film
Zack Snyder used Phantom cameras for the characteristic speed-ramping sequences in "300" (2006), while "Sherlock Holmes" (2009) captured explosions and fight scenes in extreme slow motion with them. Gavin Free, with "The Slow Mo Guys," established Phantom footage in online entertainment. The typical workflow requires shooting at 1,000 to 10,000 fps, where one second of real-time becomes 40 seconds of footage at 25 fps. The cameras require specialized technicians and generate terabytes of data per shooting day.
Comparison & Alternatives
Phantom cameras differ from the standard high-speed modes of digital cinema cameras through their scientific precision and extreme speeds. While a RED camera achieves a maximum of 300 fps at 4K, Phantoms manage a hundred times that. Alternatives include Photron cameras or the Weisscam HS-2, which, however, do not achieve the image quality and resolution of Phantom systems. For budget productions, modern cameras like the Sony FS7 with 180 fps offer sufficient slow-motion options.