Photron | FASTCAM Mini W5 High Speed Camera

At the heart of the Photron Fastcam W5 high-speed camera sits a 2-megapixel CMOS sensor with global shutter technology. Unlike rolling shutters found in consumer cameras, this global shutter captures the entire frame simultaneously, eliminating distortion when filming rapidly moving objects. This becomes particularly crucial when recording events at extreme speeds, as even microseconds of difference between scan lines would render footage scientifically unusable. The sensor's 2MP resolution allows for impressive detail even when shooting at moderate frame rates, making this camera equally capable for both analysis and presentation-quality footage.

The Photron W5 high speed camera takes slow motion to an entirely new level. Acquisition rates of 5,000 frames per second at full 2 megapixel resolution.  At reduced resolution, your can achieve 5,280 fps at 1920 x 1080, 8,000 fps at 1280 x 720, up to a maximum frame rate of 200,000 fps at 2048 x 8 resolution.

The W5 utilizes high-speed internal memory of either 16, 32, or 64 GB; that acts as a buffer for HD high speed recording. Since no current storage medium could write data fast enough at peak frame rates, the camera records to this buffer before transferring to permanent storage for analysis. Additionally, PFV4 assists with managing the massive datasets generated during recording sessions with PFA2 the ability to analyze the data in post.

Photron's PFV4 proprietary software suite handles the specialized file formats generated by the W5. Playback tools offer frame-by-frame scrubbing with microsecond precision, allowing me to identify exact moments of interest. The export functionality supports scientific formats alongside standard video formats. Color correction works remarkably well even with the challenging lighting conditions typical of high-speed videography. As an added benefit, batch processing capabilities streamline workflow when handling multiple test sequences.

Perhaps most impressive are the precision timing features. The W5 offers microsecond-accurate trigger response, which proves crucial when capturing fleeting events. Notably, the camera supports various triggering methods:

• External hardware triggers
• Software-based triggering
• Pre/post trigger buffering

The Photron W5 includes several professional connectivity options:

• Gigabit/10G Ethernet for control and data transfer
• External trigger ports for synchronizing with events
• Multiple camera sync capabilities for multi-angle capture

Multiple W5 units can be synchronized perfectly, allowing for multi-angle capture of high-speed phenomena without temporal discrepancies.

The Photron W5 now offers remotely controlled RF mount lenses. Using PFV4 software allows you to remotely control the lens aperture and focus from a PC. Some lenses also support zoom control, giving you greater flexibility. This is useful when access to the camera installation location is restricted or when the camera and control PC are located far apart.  Other lens mounting options: G-type F-mount, C mount, EF mount, or M42 mount.

Photron provides a comprehensive 2-year standard warranty covering manufacturing defects. Extended warranty options stretch to 5 years. Technical support includes 24/7 emergency assistance and annual calibration services. Above all, Photron's reputation for reliable after-sale support enhances the overall value proposition.

Target applications include:

• Onboard and offboard automotive safety testing
• Biomechanics
• Life sciences
• Defence and aerospace research
• Material sciences
• Fluid dynamics / PIV