Vision Research Phantom camera captures 1080p video at 11,750 frames per second

The latest high-speed Phantom camera takes slow-mo to the next level

In the never-ending pursuit of video capture at
than ever before, the team at Vision Research has outdone itself with the latest camera in its Phantom lineup, the Phantom v2640.

The CMOS sensor inside the Phantom v2640 is only four megapixels. But what it lacks in resolution, it makes up for in just about every other category. At full resolution (2,048 x 1,952 pixels) it captures video at 6,600 frames per second (fps) and almost doubles that to 11,750fps at 1080p resolution. The dynamic range of the Phantom v2640 is also the highest in any Phantom camera to date, which is a critical feature considering how fast the minimum shutter speed of the Phantom v2640 is, at 142 nanoseconds. Yes, you read that right — nanoseconds.

vision research phantom v2640 v2460 double

Made with researchers, scientists, and engineers in mind, the Phantom v2640 comes in both color and monochrome models. The color model maxes out at 11,750fps, while the monochrome version can use a specialized mode to bump up the frame rate to 25,030fps, although that comes at the cost of resolution, dropping it down to just one megapixel.

As you would expect with so many frames, storage is a major factor in recording limits. It’s for this reason Vision Research is offering the Phantom v2640 with up to 288GB of onboard memory. If more space is needed, it’s also compatible with Vision Research’s 1TB and 2TB CineMags. Offloading data is done using a 10Gb Ethernet connection.

As for design, the camera looks like most other Phantom cameras released by Vision Research. It features a block-like design with a basic handle and massive vents on both sides to keep the internals cool.

vision research phantom v2640 v2460 side 1

Pricing for the Phantom v2640 hasn’t yet been announced, but it’s safe to assume this beast won’t come cheap. A recent predecessor of the Phantom v2640, the Phantom v2512, retailed for $110,000 at launch.

That said, if you have a hundred grand burning a hole in your pocket — or you just want to find out more specs of this thing — head on over to Vision Research’s website where you can find out more information and detailed instructions on how to pre-order the Phantom v2640.

Photography

How the OnePlus 6T's camera stacks up against other flagships

The OnePlus 6T can match or even surpass other flagship smartphones in terms of specs and performance. How about with its camera? We put it up against the Samsung Galaxy S9, LG G7 ThinQ, and Google Pixel 3 to find out.
Mobile

Ditch the notch. Why Honor thinks the ‘punch hole’ is the better solution

Honor will release a smartphone with an in-screen camera in the new year, a trend which is gathering momentum in the industry. Honor said it has cracked the formula, and explains what's special about its All-View Display.
Photography

The best mirrorless cameras pack all the power of a DSLR, minus the bulk

Mirrorless cameras offer a lot of photography firepower, inside a compact body. Explore the best mirrorless cameras, from the pro-level to the beginner-friendly shooters, in this guide.
Product Review

A year after release, Sony's mighty A9 is still the camera to beat

Sony wowed the photography world when it introduced the sports-oriented A9 with its 20 fps electronic shutter and no-blackout viewfinder. A year later, the camera is still going strong -- and is yet to be dethroned.
Computing

Free online tool helps you automatically remove backgrounds from photos

Who needs Photoshop? Appropriately named remove.bg, one web developer's new website will help you automatically remove backgrounds from photos and bring out your inner graphic designer. 
Photography

Here’s a Leica that won’t break the bank, though there is a catch

Leica cameras are renowned for their solid build and impressive performance, but they cost more than most people can afford. We've just discovered a Leica costing only $45, though admittedly there is a slight catch.
Photography

Camera Shootout: OnePlus 6T vs. Honor 8X vs. Pocophone F1 vs. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

We took four smartphones from popular and upcoming Chinese brands to China, to see which has the best camera. The OnePlus 6T takes on the Honor 8X, the Pocophone F1, and the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro.
Social Media

Lip-sync or create trick snaps with friends using Snapchat’s new challenges

Snapchat's latest feature is a new type of Lens that invited users to join in a challenge. From lip-synching to making an object disappear using AR, the new challenges are designed to increase engagement.
Social Media

No, ‘volcano selfies’ are not a good idea (especially during eruptions)

A report from the Royal Geographical Society notes how more and more people are traveling around the world to erupting volcanoes in a bid to snap dramatic shots for their social media followers. But it's not always a great idea.
Photography

Snap, snap, hooray! Google Photos doubles Live Album limit to 20,000 images

Google Photos' Live Album feature lets you automatically create albums containing particular people or pets. But it seems some users have already been hitting the album capacity of 10,000 images, so Google has just doubled it.
Emerging Tech

The best drone photos from around the world

Most of today's drones come equipped with high-end cameras, which are quickly revolutionizing the world of aerial photography as we know it. Here are some of the best drone photos from around the world.
Photography

Photography News: Messenger fakes portrait blur, Palette comes to Capture One

In this week's photography news, see Messenger's update that gives the app's camera a fake portrait mode; Palette, a photo editing console, is now compatible with Capture One; Fujifilm launches a handful of firmware updates.
Emerging Tech

Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: A car air purifier, a worm farm, and more

Check out our roundup of the best new crowdfunding projects and product announcements that hit the web this week. You may not be able to buy this stuff yet, but it sure is fun to gawk!
Photography

Authentic, holistic photography is in: 2019’s upcoming photography trends

What types of imagery are we most drawn to? According to recent stock photography data from Adobe and StoryBlocks, authentic, holistic, and humanitarian content will be in high demand in 2019.