High-speed imaging continues to advance as engineers and researchers demand more from compact camera systems, and Photron's new FASTCAM Mini W Series delivers on that demand. The FASTCAM Mini W5 and FASTCAM Mini W2 are 2.4-megapixel cameras built for full-frame recording at 5,000 fps and 2,000 fps, housed in the same compact, 100G-rated package as Photron's existing Mini R cameras.
Both models offer significantly higher light sensitivity than Photron's other multi-megapixel cameras, making them well-suited for applications where illumination is limited or exposure times need to be kept short. These cameras are available now and bring a combination of resolution, frame rate, and light sensitivity that expands what teams can capture in demanding test environments.
Despite their small size, the cameras support frame rates that demanding high-speed imaging requires. Both cameras can be used together in synchronized multi-camera configurations, which is useful when capturing an event from multiple angles simultaneously.
FASTCAM Mini W5 Specifications
The FASTCAM Mini W5 is the higher-performance model in the series, delivering full resolution imaging at rates that make it capable across a wide range of demanding applications.
- Max Resolution/Max Frame Rate: 2,048 x 1,152 @ 5,000 FPS
- RAM: 64 GB
- Max Frame Rate: 200,000fps
- Max Shutter Speed: 2μs
- Interface: 1Gb/10Gb Ethernet
- Bit Depth: 12-bit
- IRIG-B: Yes
- ISO Monochrome: 10,000
- ISO Color: 2,000
- Shutter Type: Global Electronic Shutter
- Pixel Size (microns): 13μm
The W5 supports Photron's FASTCAM Viewer software for full control over recording parameters, playback, and data export. Its global shutter sensor eliminates rolling shutter distortion, which is critical when imaging fast-moving objects or vibrating structures.
FASTCAM Mini W2 Specifications
The FASTCAM Mini W2 is designed for applications where weight and size are the primary constraints, while still delivering solid high-speed imaging performance. Unlike many competing systems, the W2 includes a mechanical shutter as standard equipment and features precise external control options via the Ethernet connection.
This combination of image quality, speed range, and operational flexibility positions the Photron W2 as an exceptional tool for professionals who require both extreme speeds and high-resolution imaging.
- Max Resolution/Max Frame Rate: 2,048 x 1,152 @ 2,000 FPS
- RAM: 64 GB
- Max Frame Rate: 150,000 fps
- Max Shutter Speed: 2μs
- Interface: 1Gb/10Gb Ethernet
- Bit Depth: 12-bit
- IRIG-B: Yes
- ISO Monochrome: 10,000
- ISO Color: 2,000
- Shutter Type: Global Electronic Shutter
- Pixel Size (microns): 13μm
Both cameras share the same protocol and software ecosystem, which simplifies workflows when using them together in a synchronized multi-camera arrangement.
Frame Rate Flexibility Across Resolutions
As with all Photron high-speed cameras, the Mini W models can operate at higher frame rates by reducing the recording resolution. This flexibility is useful when an application requires capturing extremely fast events and full resolution is not necessary. The 200,000 fps maximum frame rate on both models makes them capable across a wide range of high-speed imaging scenarios, from material impact testing to combustion analysis.
Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080 is a commonly targeted format for many test and research applications, and both cameras are designed with that use case in mind, alongside their full 2.4-megapixel performance.
Light Sensitivity for High Speed Imaging
One of the most notable characteristics of the W Series is its light sensitivity. With an ISO monochrome rating of 10,000, both the W5 and W2 perform well in low-light conditions where other multi-megapixel high-speed cameras require additional illumination. This reduces the cost and complexity of test setups and opens up applications where high-intensity lighting is impractical or could affect the event being recorded.
The 13μm pixel size contributes to this sensitivity by capturing more light per pixel than smaller pixel designs, supporting cleaner images at high frame rates where exposure times are inherently short.
Applications for the Mini W Series Cameras
The combination of resolution, frame rate, and light sensitivity makes the W5 and W2 well-suited for a broad range of applications across research and industry. Common use cases include:
- Materials testing and failure analysis, where capturing crack propagation or fracture events requires both resolution and speed
- Combustion and ballistics research, where low-light sensitivity reduces dependence on supplemental lighting
- Industrial process monitoring, including forming, stamping, and assembly line inspection
- Aerospace and defense testing where shock-rated construction and IRIG-B synchronization are required
The sealed electronics and 100G-rated housing make both cameras reliable choices for environments where vibration, shock, and airborne contaminants are routine conditions.
The FASTCAM Mini W5 and W2 bring higher light sensitivity to the Mini lineup without changing what engineers already rely on in terms of packaging, interfaces, and shock resistance. For applications where illumination is a constraint or where sensitivity at high frame rates makes a noteworthy difference in image quality, these cameras offer a solution.
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