Vision Research high-speed camera with backside-illuminated sensor. Shoots up to 1,450 fps at 1080p with lower lighting requirements. Standard tool for fast-moving action and effects work.
What is the Phantom TMX?
The Phantom TMX series (2019) is Vision Research's premium line for film and advertising featuring a revolutionary backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor. The BSI sensor provides dramatically improved light sensitivity – 2-3 stops more than the Flex4K – enabling extreme slow motion in situations previously unimaginable.
TMX Models
| Model | Resolution | Max fps @ native | Max fps @ HD |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMX 7510 | 1280 × 800 | 76,000 fps | 76,000 fps |
| TMX 6410 | 1280 × 1024 | 64,000 fps | 74,000 fps |
| TMX 5010 | 2048 × 1952 | 50,000 fps | 100,000+ fps |
TMX 7510 Specifications (Flagship)
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1 Megapixel BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 1280 × 800 (native) |
| Max fps @ native | 76,000 fps |
| Max fps @ 4K equiv | N/A |
| ISO | 5,000+ (Color), 16,000+ (Mono) |
| Dynamic Range | 12+ Stops |
| Pixel Size | 28 µm |
| Mount | PL, Canon EF, Nikon F |
The BSI Revolution
Front-Illuminated (FSI) vs. Backside-Illuminated (BSI)
FSI (Flex4K): BSI (TMX):
Light → Light →
↓ ↓
[Wiring] [Sensor]
[Sensor] [Wiring]
↓ ↓
Photodiode Photodiode
→ Light must pass → Direct light incidence
through wiring to sensorImpact
| Factor | FSI (Flex4K) | BSI (TMX) |
|---|---|---|
| Light Efficiency | ~60% | ~90% |
| ISO Advantage | Base | +2-3 Stops |
| Fill Factor | ~40% | ~90% |
| Practical Use | More light required | Less light required |
TMX vs. Flex4K
| Feature | TMX 7510 | Flex4K |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | BSI | FSI |
| ISO | 5,000+ | 800 |
| Light Requirement | 4-8x less | Standard |
| Max fps (native) | 76,000 | 1,000 (4K) |
| Resolution | 1280 × 800 | 4096 × 2304 |
| 35mm Sensor | No | Yes |
| Price | ~$200,000+ | ~$150,000 |
Trade-off: The TMX is more light-sensitive and faster but has a lower resolution than the Flex4K.
Practical Light Comparison
For 1,000 fps @ HD
| Camera | Required Light |
|---|---|
| Flex4K | 50,000+ Lux |
| TMX | 10,000–15,000 Lux |
For the Same Amount of Light (20,000 Lux)
| Camera | Achievable fps |
|---|---|
| Flex4K | ~200–300 fps |
| TMX | ~1,000+ fps |
Production Consequences
- Fewer HMIs – Lower power costs
- Faster Setup – Less lighting to rig
- More Flexibility – Usable with available light
- New Possibilities – Outdoor/nature high-speed
Notable Productions
| Production | Year | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| House of the Dragon | 2022 | Dragon movements |
| The Crown | 2022 | Historical moments |
| Apple Events | Various | Product reveals |
| Porsche Commercials | Various | Car details |
| NFL Broadcasts | 2020– | Extreme replays |
Typical Configurations
Film – Emotional Slow Motion
- TMX 7510
- Cooke S7/i Full Frame
- Moderate lighting
- 500–2,000 fps
- Rental: ~€5,000/day
Commercial – Product Shot
- TMX 6410
- Zeiss Supreme Prime
- Studio lighting (moderate amount)
- 1,000–5,000 fps
- Rental: ~€4,500/day
Sports – Broadcast
- TMX 7510
- Long telephoto lenses
- Daylight/stadium lighting
- 1,000–3,000 fps
- Rental: ~€4,000/day
The 28µm Pixels
The TMX 7510 features unusually large pixels:
Pixel Size Comparison
| Camera | Pixel Size |
|---|---|
| TMX 7510 | 28 µm |
| Flex4K | ~10 µm |
| ARRI Alexa 35 | ~6 µm |
| iPhone 15 Pro | ~1.9 µm |
Significance
- More light per pixel
- Less noise
- Higher ISO possible
- Trade-off: Fewer pixels = lower resolution
High-Speed in Available Light
The TMX enables new scenarios:
Previously (Flex4K)
- Indoor high-speed: Massive lighting required
- Outdoor nature: Only in bright sunlight
- Documentary: Practically impossible
With TMX
- Indoor high-speed: Normal film lighting
- Outdoor nature: Even on cloudy days
- Documentary: Spontaneous high-speed possible
Global Shutter
Like all Phantom cameras, the TMX has a true global shutter:
Why Critical at High-Speed
- At 76,000 fps: Each frame is < 0.02 ms
- Rolling shutter would cause extreme distortion
- Global shutter: All pixels simultaneously
- Result: Perfect image stability
Workflow Integration
Recording Modes
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard | Direct recording |
| Loop | Continuous with trigger |
| Burst | Short sequences |
Output
- Cine RAW – Maximum quality
- ProRes – Efficient
- H.264 – For quick previews
Software
- Phantom Camera Control (PCC) – Control
- DaVinci Resolve – Native RAW support
- Premiere/FCP – Via ProRes
Limitations
Compared to Flex4K
- Lower native resolution
- No true 4K
- More expensive
Compared to Cinema Cameras
- Optimized for high-speed, not normal filming
- Less dynamic range than ARRI
- Specialized tool
Practically
- Very high cost
- Requires a specialized operator
- Not yet as widespread as Flex4K
The Future of High-Speed
Trend: BSI Standard
- TMX demonstrates BSI advantages
- Future models will feature BSI
- Light sensitivity will continue to increase
Expected Developments
- 4K resolution with BSI
- Even higher ISO values
- More compact bodies
- Lower prices
Today
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | ~$180,000–$250,000 |
| Rental/Day | €4,500–€6,000 |
| Availability | Premium rental houses |
| Status | Current flagship |
| Trend | Gradually replacing Flex4K |
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