While many people think of high-speed cameras as SLRs with high frame rates of seven or eight frames per second--which is excellent for shooting sports--true high-speed cameras are specialized devices that can capture up to 1,000 frames per second, and are used by scientists to analyze things in slow motion. These cameras can be very expensive.
Consumer
Casio has introduced several models of high-speed cameras designed for the consumer market. The EX-F1 ($999) was the first. Boasting a 6 megapixel sensor and 12x optical zoom, it can capture up to 60 frames per second, and can shoot high-speed movies at up to 1,200 frames per second. The EX-FH20 ($449) has a 20x optical zoom, can shoot up to 40 frames per second, has a 9 megapixel sensor, and can capture high speed video at up to 1,000 frames per second.
Basic Professional Models
Several companies offer basic professional grade model high-speed cameras. The Phantom HD can shoot 1,000 fps at 1,080p and 1,500 fps in 720p and costs $2,500.
Midrange
The Fastec SportsCam can be used to analyze biomechanics and improve athletic performance. This camera starts at $6,500 and can shoot up to 1,000 frames per second.
Vision Midrange
Vision makes a wide variety of high-end cameras, including the Phantom Miro eX1 which can shoot 500 frames per second at its full resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, or 1,000 frames per second at 480 x 360; it retails for $9,900.
Top End
Those seeking the best in performance can look at the Vision Phantom 65. A 10 megapixel HD camera that shoots 144 frames per second at full resolution for stunning clarity. This camera retails for $144,000. The Vision Phantom HD Gold is the next step down, with a 4 megapixel sensor and variable shooting rates of 1-1,000 frames per second; at its highest resolution, it can shoot 555 frames per second. The HD Gold sells for $117,000.
Tags: frames second, high-speed cameras, shoot frames, shoot frames second, megapixel sensor, capture frames