Tag Archives: rolling shutter

Canon New Cinema Camera Will do 240fps in 4k!

Canon it seems is thinking 3 steps ahead of everyone else when it comes to pro 8k video.  After being left behind in the adoption of 4k and playing catch up to the format, they seem intent on making their cameras the new 8k default option with specs that seem out of a dreamer’s wish list.  Be warned that these cameras will probably start at $10k USD and go up from there. The low end should be about 10k to $15k for the C300s at the low end, and the high end a $30k price tag for a C700DR.  

The most impressive of the new rumored cameras is the Canon EOS C700DR (DR Stands for Dynamic Range) which will be capable of recording 4k not just at 120fps but a class-leading 240fps with excellent quality. It also hints at a 180fps mode that will have expanded dynamic range if needed.   It is interesting that 1080p as a slow motion mode is not even considered here but these cameras are geared to a specific market and that is digital cinema which needs much more resolution nowadays than what even 2k can deliver, much less 1080p.  → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Cheapest slow motion camera for $6 does 660fps!

Cheapest slow motion camera

We just received a video link for a Raspberry Pi imaging platform that allows for 660fps slow motion video capture using the computing unit along with it’s memory and a $6 USD camera to record slow motion video with better than expected results. The video from 2019 by RobertElderSoftware explains the way the camera and R-Pi were able to capture the footage using some scripting and writing a windowed wide but not tall imaging rectangle directly to memory to create the cheapest slow motion camera.

Of note is the apparent low resolution of less than VGA at 640 x 64px and the somewhat appraisal of rolling shutter artifacts on some of the coins. However, RobertElderSoftware also has a step by step instruction video set on how to get a $40 Raspberry Pi computer and a  $6 USD camera module to build your own homebrew slow motion camera with some scripting.  After a lot of scripting and patience, you should be able to mimic his results.

Cheapest slow motion camera using a Pi Unit:

It is literally amazing what a dedicated engineer with an extremely limited set of tools and cameras is able to do on a project like this. Now imagine RobertElderSoftware using something like a more powerful ARM-based Mac M1 or similar with way more RAM disk for capture along with a better camera and sensor combination.

You can visit and subscribe to Robert Elder’s Channel here and learn many more from his cool projects and coding guides!

Maybe in the future, we could see some homebrew project kit that could be able to shoot 500fps or even 1000fps in 4k for a limited investment. In any case, we feel that you should take a look at the project below and get inspired.  We thank our reader Nacho Simon for the heads up on this awesome project and Mr. Elder for his creativity and drive! -HSC

Video Sample and Step by Step Guides Below:

World’s Cheapest High-speed Camera For $6 With 660FPS!? by RobertElderSoftware:

Part 1) How To Record Video At 660 FPS On A $6 Raspberry Pi Camera – Part 1 by RobertElderSoftware: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Samsung Exynos Camera Rumor With Super Slow Motion!

Samsung Exynos Camera

The folks at Mirrorless Rumors have a new story based on an anonymous source that claims to know information about a super camera being tested at Samsung’s labs that can do among other things 480fps at 1080p resolution.  Its also claimed to be 4k 120fps ready and using the Exynos 9810 SoC which is reserved for their high-end phones up to now.

These claims are too detailed and too extraordinary to be believed but the Exynos Chip should be able to process all of that data.  The Rumor also states that it will be an APS-C chip with ISOCELL Technology on a stacked design capable of 30.1 Megapixels or 6720*4480px at 30p frame rates. The camera is a prototype according to the source and it is not known if it will be released as a real product in the future.

Samsung Exynos Camera Rumor Highlights:

  • – Full sensor (6720*4480) @ 30fps
    – 5376*3024 @ 60fps
    – 3840*2160 @ 120fps
    – 2688*1512 @ 240fps
    – 1920*1080 @ 480fps
  • – full width of the sensor is used up to 480fps 
  • -Dual Pixel AF System with Phase detection
  • Accelerometer-based shutter
  • H.265 codec
  • Up to 120fps should be full sensor read-out, 2.7K and 1080p at higher frame-rates is 2×2 pixel binning and then down-sampling
  • Full rumor specs here: https://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/good-true-high-end-samsung-aps-c-camera-based-exynos-9810-soc/

Our Take:

When you get outlandish rumors with a list of features that leapfrog everything in the current camera landscape you have to remain a skeptic.  However, the frame rates touted are already possible my much lesser processors out there but they have to be paired with super fast RAM buffers in the several GB range and record for very limited time frames.

Super Slow Motion Movie Taken by 3-layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM by Sony:

A Samsung camera with those specs would need a huge stacked sensor cache module and a secondary memory module in the 16-32GB range for just a few seconds or record time.  We also have to expect a sensor with that many pixels to be full of rolling shutter distortion unless they have implemented a Sony RX like electronic shutter 1/32000 which could be also possible.

What is the Exynos 9810 – Gary explains by  Android Authority: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony RX0 Slow Motion Aims at Pro Action Market!

Sony RX0 Slow Motion

As expected by recent rumors, Sony unveiled the RX0 a compact action camera that is more high-end oriented than any action camera before it. A Crash cam for video production that has a large 1″ sensor with high sensitivity and S-Log 2 flat profile.  It also has features like focus assist, full 4k 4:2:2 HDMI output to an external recorder and a 1/32000 shutter like other RX series cameras that gets rid of most of the rolling shutter distortion apparent in other action cameras.

While the GoPro Hero 4 and 5 have access to a Pro Tune Log style video profile; the camera is not really geared for high-end production. The RX0, however, is limited to 1080p 60fps internally with 4k output from HDMI to an external recorder as the only 4k output option. This gives GoPro, Yi 4k+, and Sony’s Action Cam series an edge of internal 4k recording.

Sony RX0 Main Features:

  • Ultra-Compact, Lightweight Body
  • 21MP 1″ Stacked CMOS Sensor 15.3MP Effective
  • 15MP maximum Still Image Size-RAW
  • Anti-distortion shutter of up to 1/32000 sec.
  • 33ft (10m) waterproof without housing
  • Timecode-Sync Multiple Cameras
  • Internally Records 1080p60 Video
  • High frame rates up to 960fps/1000fps
  • Picture Profile and S-Log2 gamma setting
  • 16fps Still Image Shooting at 15MP
  • Zeiss 24mm-Equivalent Lens, f/4 Aperture
  • XAVC-S, AVCHD and .MP4 Recording
  • Control via App or VP1K Remote
  • NTSC/PAL Switchable
  • Shockproof Body from heights up to 6.5 ft (2.0 m)
  • RX0 is crushproof under weights up to 440 lbf/2,000 N (200 kgf).
  • Outputs Uncompressed 4:2:2 UHD 4K Video via HDMI
  • MSRP: $699.99 USD available now!
  • LENS TYPE: ZEISS Tessar T* Lens, 6 elements in 6 groups (6 aspheric elements)
  • F-NUMBER (MAXIMUM APERTURE)F4.0 (Fixed)
  • FOCAL LENGTH (F=)f=7.7mm;Still Image3:2 f=24mm;Still Image4:3 f=26mm;Still Image16:9 f=25.2mm;Still Image1:1 f=30.7mm
  • FOCUS RANGE (FROM THE FRONT OF THE LENS)Approx. 50cm (1.7 ft.) to Infinity
  • Fixed Focal – NO ZOOM!

Recording Modes:

STILL IMAGES:

  • 3:2mode:15M(4,800×3,200) / 7.7M(3,408×2,272) /
  • 3.8M(2,400×1,600)、4:3mode:14M(4,272×3,200) /
  • 6.9M(3,024×2,272) / 3.4M(2,128×1,600) /
  • VGA,16:9mode:13M(4,800×2,704) / 6.5M(3,408×1,920) /
  • 3.2M(2,400×1,352),1:1mode:10M(3,200×3,200) /
  • 5.2M(2,272×2,272) / 2.6M(1,600×1,600)

Video Mode:

  • 24p, 25p, 30fps, 50fps, 60fps 1080p continuous
  • 720p 120fps Video Continuous Recording

Sony RX0 Slow Motion:

HFR Slow Motion Recording Modes:

“Super slow motion at frame rate of up to 960/1000fps is available to capture split-seconds of action in movies. Slow motion shooting at 480/500fps and 240/250fps especially maintains fine images at nearly HD quality with the choice of Quality Priority mode. End trigger mode lets you capture the decisive moment in super slow motion starting from two or four seconds before the REC button is pressed.”

[PAL] mode XAVC S HD 50Mbps recording:

50p 50 M (1,920×1,080/250fps), 50p 50 M (1,920×1,080/500fps), 50p 50 M (1,920×1,080/1000fps) / 25p 50 M (1,920×1,080/250fps), 25p 50 M (1,920×1,080/500fps), 25p 50 M (1,920×1,080/1000fps)

[NTSC] mode XAVC S HD 50Mbps recording:

60p 50M(1,920×1,080/240fps)、60p 50M(1,920×1,080/480fps)、60p 50M(1,920×1,080/960fps) / 30p 50M(1,920×1,080/240fps)、30p 50M(1,920×1,080/480fps)、30p 50M(1,920×1,080/960fps) / 24p 50M(1,920×1,080/240fps)、24p 50M(1,920×1,080/480fps)、24p 50M(1,920×1,080/960fps)

Quality Priority 2 Seconds Record Time:

  • 240fps/250fps(1,676×942)
  • 480fps/500fps(1,676×566)
  • 960fps/1000fps(1,136×384)

Shoot Time Priority 4 seconds record Time:

  • 240fps/250fps(1,676×566)
  • 480fps/500fps(1,136×384)
  • 960fps/1000fps(800×270)

Battery Life Video and Image Mode:

  • BATTERY LIFE(STILL IMAGES)Approx. 240shots / Approx. 120mi
  • BATTERY LIFE(MOVIES ACTUAL SHOOTING)Approx. 35min.
  • BATTERY LIFE(MOVIES CONTINUOUS SHOOTING)Approx. 60min.

Other Features:

“MF Assist and Peaking functions refine focus

To help you fine-tune focus, Manual Focus (MF) Assist magnifies the area you are focusing on to enable more precise adjustment while Peaking highlights the sharpest or most in-focus area with your choice of color to help determine whether further focusing adjustment is required.”

“Auto Power OFF Temperature can extend movie shooting duration

You can choose an internal temperature level at which the camera automatically powers off. For example, movie shots tend to run longer when a tripod is used, so by setting Auto Power OFF Temperature to “High”, movies can be shot for extended durations.” → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony a9 Slow Motion Has Impressive Quality!

Sony a9 Slow Motion

The Sony a9 impressed with its full frame 20fps Stills shooting at  24.2 Megapixels.  It is probably the most groundbreaking camera performance wise we have come across for sports shooters in a decade.  The AF performance is second to none and as recent samples show it is just as good in video mode. Sony has cracked the continuous AF for video performance threshold where it can be used for production. That is no small feat.

What was totally unexpected was that the 120fps slow motion mode at full HD, which has a full sensor downsampling without crop of the 35mm FF sensor, is not only good; but probably the most detailed full HD slow motion mode we have seen in a DSLR or Mirrorless camera to date.

Sony a9 Slow Motion has the Best looking 120fps Full HD footage yet!

We were kind of underwhelmed by the slow motion capping at 120fps when it is using the same stacked sensor technology as the Sony RX series of cameras.  It would have been incredible if it did 240fps in 1080p but that wasn’t in the cards for this generation. What we do have however is the most impressively detailed 1080p 120fps image we have come across outside dedicated slow motion cameras. The image is so good from the oversampled source that the slow motion quality is crisp, detailed, absent of artifacts or moire and so much more.  

For many 1080p shooters like wedding videographers and sports, you want to probably stay in the 120fps mode for the entirety of your shoot. Therefore you can use ramping slow motion in your edit at any time. The quality is jaw-droppingly good and a testament to the technological lead Sony has advanced with Stacked Memory  BSI Sensor CMOS technology.

Sony A9 Review pt.2 – Photos + 4K & 120FPS Video – AMAZING AF by Max Yuryev:

The Video above by YouTuber Max Yuryev “Subscribe Here” shows how the Sony a9 is able to effortlessly record 120fps footage that is smooth, artifact fee, noise free and extremely detailed.

The AF is in another league!

We are extremely impressed by the slow motion quality but that is nothing when the focus is off. Fortunately, the Sony a9 is able to AF in full HD slow motion as well as 4k with perfect results most of the time thanks to it’s ground-breaking 693 Full Phase Detection AF points.

Looking at the frame above the AF coverage of the camera destroys competitors with extreme coverage and performance. The camera is a monster when it comes to AF which is needed when you are shooting 20fps still images for over 10 seconds with the ability to track subjects and keeping them in perfect focus for the majority of the burst.

The Camera is able to AF in Slow motion 120fps mode just as good with easy & smooth transitions that translate also to other frame rates in full HD and 4k video with killer results.

If you are a sport’s shooter and need a 4k camera that can track a subject in full video mode the Sony a9 is the answer you have been waiting for. We are not exaggerating when we say the performance is a notch above everything else on the market today.

Lens Adapters are slow: One thing to keep in mind about Sony E-Mount cameras is that the lens compatibility with Auto Focus falls apart when you steer away from Sony lenses and use electronic adapters. Canon, Nikon, and other adapted AF capable lenses will not perform to the same level when it comes to Auto Focus performance. This means that to get the AF+Video performance you need to change full lens & camera systems.

The Sony a9 5x Slow Motion (120fps) by The Gary Fong Channel:

Ok its great but it is not an a7s!

We have been waiting for the a7s Mark III to be announced by sony for some time. The camera has a lot of expectations to fill when competition by the likes of the GH5 is creating all sorts of video-centric expectations around competitors.

If Sony is able to migrate the stacked sensor technology to the a7s III with the AF performance of the a9 then it will really be the most coveted video-oriented mirrorless camera.  If that is also a chance for sony to introduce 240fps Full HD and 4k 60fps as features of the camera than we see Panasonic having trouble moving GH5 cameras without some sort of price drop.   Sure the a9 is an expensive camera and the a7s III will probably be close to $4k when released but the performance gap will be undeniable.

We only hope Sony is pushing the stacked sensor technology on their upcoming releases as the market is now expecting this type of performance which is miles apart from the competition. Canon, Nikon, Pentax & Panasonic better have something to counter the stacked sensor tech from Sony but our best bet is they will have to use Sony’s own sensors in many of their cameras. Innovation, in the end, can bring huge market shifts and Sony is holding the trump card for now. -HSC

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Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Has Full HD at 120fps!

Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless

Sony is taking straight aim at Canon and Nikon’s Professional sports photography market with the new Alpha a9 Mirrorless. It shoots 20fps full frame at 24.2 Megapixels RAW 14 bit up to a maximum  241 raw frames or 12 seconds before writing to the card. This is not only impressive but world class leading. Furthermore the camera is able to do it with full AF using a new 693 point system and without frame blackout in the viewfinder.

The Camera has a now standard slow motion mode in Sony cameras of 120fps at Full HD 1080p resolution with great detail. This is done with the help of a new stacked full frame sensor which is the technology perfected in the Sony RX series and now the Xperia Phones. However the lack of any professional video profiles like S-Log3 will put off the video centric crowd.

Sony a9 Mirrorless Main Specs:

  • 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked CMOS Sensor
  • BIONZ X Image Processor
  • Internal UHD 4K Video “NO S-Log”
  • 120fps Full HD Slow Motion Video*
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
  • 693-Point AF with 93% Frame Coverage
  • Blackout-Free Quad-VGA 3.7m-Dot OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 20 fps Shooting and ISO 204,800
  • Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual SD Slots
  • Integrated LAN and PC Sync Terminals
  • NO touch screen!

Sony | α | α9 Unveil by Sony:

There is no question the camera is not only amazing in it’s processing power but shows the future of the evolution of the sports camera with no end in sight to performance.  The completely silent shutter if needed at 20fps full frame still images can now be used in any event that requires complete and utter silence. Golf, olympic events like track & field; or even weddings can now be shot with perfect clarity on a camera that has no sound.  You can still enable an audio shutter if you need the feedback but it is hardly a need when the camera is this stealthy. It is almost like shooting video but with RAW stills.

The camera is pegged at 20fps which is just 4 frames short of cinema 24 which would enable 24.2MP of RAW video to be shot in the camera for about 10 seconds.   The shutter being electronic will not degrade by use since the absence of a mirror negates the shutter count which is the Achilles heel of every DSLR.

Sony | α9 | New image sensor – 35mm full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with integral memory by Sony:

As you can see the now commonplace stacked sensor technology pioneered on the Sony RX series of cameras is now present on a full frame professional solution. Sony has pushed the envelope of sensor block design by using built in memory buffers in the Exmor sensor to be able to record an unprecedented amount of data at up to 1/32000/sec shutter speed. This is 4x faster than the 1/8000 common on DSLRs in the semi and professional segments. The rolling shutter is also greatly reduced by the new sensor stacked technology but not entirely eliminated from the frame. Still it should provide the best rolling shutter performance in a mirrorless or DSLR full frame camera to date.

There is a lot of expectation for the Sony a7s III to be using the new Sony stacked sensor technology and the new a9 makes it ever more possible by debuting the technology on full frame. In theory an a7s III camera with stacked sensor and 12 megapixels should be able to produce 4k 60p with no problems and up to 240fps in full HD slow motion. Maybe even faster 720p if Sony is permissive enough with their specs.

No S-Log or flat profiles?

Sony A9 Hands on First Look – Amazing EVF – 20FPS RAW! NEW BATTERY! Max Yuryev

From the video above you can see that Sony has opted to cripple the camera in the video department as to probably not cannibalize the sale of other more professional camera solutions. A camera that creates full frame 4k from up-sampled 6k with incredible detail and dynamic range could create a vortex that swallows a lot of the professional video customers.

With the ISO performance being also class leading at ISO 204,800 on the high end makes it for a pretty formidable video powerhouse. It is unclear if the maximum ISO will be usable in video mode or capped at something lower. By including flat picture profiles like S-Log3 Sony could effectively be making a camera rivaling the image quality of best of breed video only cameras in their stable. However we thing crippling the camera by not including these profiles will only reduce possible sales of the camera and benefit the competition like Canon or Panasonic.

Sony could in theory produce firmware that re-introduces the profiles tab with S-Log3 Gamma. Such an update for the a9 Mirrorless  would cement Sony as a real headache for other mirrorless ILC video competitors.  If Sony disables the tab on an upcoming camera like the a7s III it would really create a climate of distrust from the video production community.  We hope this is not the case.

Sony | α | α9 High resolution full-frame 4K by Sony:

From the video sample above you can see the camera is in real need for an S-Log3 profile so highlights are not lost in contrasty situations. This camera screams for a flat curve to really unleash it’s full potential. The video crispness and down-sampling from 6k is pretty impressive and creates an image even in 4:2:0 8 bit color space that looks inspiring.

Sony a9 Mirrorless Slow Motion Specs:

3840 x 2160p at 24, 25, 30 fps (100 Mbps XAVC S via H.264)
3840 x 2160p at 24, 25, 30 fps (60 Mbps XAVC S via H.264)
1920 x 1080p at 100, 120 fps (100 Mbps XAVC S via H.264)
1920 x 1080p at 100, 120 fps (60 Mbps XAVC S via H.264)

As you can see the 120fps recording has two modes in the camera with a much better codec implementation in the 100 Mbps spec than the limited 60 Mbps.  The camera should deliver outstanding color, detail and dynamic range for this frame rate as well.  It is also not cropping the full frame sensor for producing the 120fps mode which means full frame slow motion goodness. We will have samples of this mode when available.

As a slow motion camera, the a9 is not really cost effective with a hefty price tag, you will be better served by a Sony a6500 or Panasonic GH5; in the high frame department with much less investment dollars.

Since there are no a9 samples in the 120fps mode yet; we have included below an a6500 120fps full HD video that shows the feature in use. You can expect pretty close performance but on a full frame sensor for the a9 mirrorless camera.

Sony a6500 1080p 120fps slow motion test by Mike TV:

Pricing and availability:

Other notes:

There is no question the new Sony a9 Mirrorless is an amazing piece of photography technology. There is in a sense, signs of the beginning of the end for all DSLR mirrored cameras plastered all over this camera. With AF that should rival all others or maybe even exceed it, performance that eclipses the 12fps record of RAW full frame on their competitors, and a fully silent without black out shooting experience; Canon and Nikon must start to transition. We see a world where events in the realm of sports, press conferences and weddings start to prohibit mirrored cameras due to noise.

Trump, Obama Meet at The White House: Full Press Conference by ABC News:

The video above shows the problem directly with historically significant events being interfered by camera shutter sounds. The mirrored camera is directly interfering with the experience of live events for video recording and it must be phased out.  Sony has shown that a professional camera can be pin drop silent while outperforming in speed by a high margin. In our view any photo journalist should really start to transition to something like the a9 to #1 don’t miss the shot and #2 be stealthy.  Paparazzi will probably also be first in line for cameras like these.

Sony is throwing a flying javelin at the professional camera establishment, hope they are paying attention and respond in kind. 

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