New Phantom TMX high-speed cameras can record at up to 1.75M fps

Vision Research, maker of high-speed cameras, has announced the Phantom TMX series. The TMX series consists of two cameras, the TMX 7510 and TMX 6410, and they are the first high-speed cameras to use back-side illuminated (BSI) image sensors. The BSI sensors allow for speeds up to 75 Gpx/sec in addition to improved light sensitivity.

The Phantom TMX 7510 can shoot at 76,000 frames per second at 1MP resolution (1280 x 800). If you need even more speed, by reducing resolution to 1280 x 192, the camera can record more than 300,000 fps. Faster still, at lower resolution, the camera can shoot at 770,000 fps. Vision Research states that when using the export-controlled FAST option, the TMX 7510 records at up to 1.75M fps with 95 nanosecond minimum exposure time.

Click to enlarge

‘We’re excited to introduce this new class of high-speed performance to the market,’ says Jay Stapleton, Vice President and General Manager of Vision Research. ‘In bringing BSI technology to high-speed applications in a new, cutting-edge sensor, we continue to advance high-speed capabilities through innovation. We designed the TMX cameras for speed, to support the very high frame rate requirements we see in many new and cutting-edge applications.”

The TMX 6410 uses the same BSI CMOS image sensor as the 7510 model, with the same maximum resolution of 1280 x 800, but it delivers slightly slower speeds. Compared to the 76,000 fps speed at 1MP for the 7510, the 6410 shoots 1MP resolution video at nearly 66,000 fps.

The image sensor is 23.7 x 14.8mm, which results in a pixel size of 18.5 µm during standard recording and 37 µm when using binned recording. The ISO ranges of the TMX models differ if you’re recording using monochrome or color. In the case of mono recording, the exposure index is 40,000 to 200,000. For color, it’s 12,500 to 62,500. The TMX series records with 12-bit depth.

The TMX series offers 2 x 2 binning for high frame rates, which provides users flexibility to field-of-view. For example, the TMX 7510 can record at speeds greater than 617,000 fps at 1280 x 94 resolution or 640 x 192 resolution in binned mode.

Phantom TMX series maximum frame rates at different resolutions and settings. Click to enlarge.

Like existing Phantom models, the TMX high-speed cameras are equipped with the full suite of Phantom features. Internal RAM options range from 128GB to 512GB. The RAM buffer can be partitioned up to 511 times, allowing for recording of repeat experiments. The TMX 6410 and 7510 are compatible with CineMag V (up to 8TB). The standard lens mount is Nikon F-mount, with aperture support for Nikon G lenses, but Canon EF, C-mount and M42-mount options are also available. Pricing for the TMX 6410 and TMX 7510 has not been disclosed. For additional information, visit Phantom.