IBC NEWS SPECIAL
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NEWS
Spark ignites high-speed filmmaking The new Pixboom is a global shutter Super 35 camera offering up to 1800fps at a cut price
while keeping file sizes manageable, while companion software Pixboom Cine promises easy integration into established post-production pipelines. Despite its impressive technical muscle, the Spark is a compact and portable unit, weighing under 1.1kg/2.4lb and measuring 108x110x130mm/4.25x4.33x5.2in. It’s built for handheld, drone and robotic arm rigs. A 3.5-inch, 6.22-million-dot touchscreen is built-in, alongside 12G-SDI, HDMI 2.0, Wi-Fi and USB-C connectivity. Its interchangeable electronic mount supports PL, EF and mirrorless glass, with metadata passthrough for VFX. The Pixboom Spark is finished in silver or black, with an integrated V-Mount battery plate. A rugged aluminium body rounds off its professional-grade credentials. Spark is the brainchild of Dr Young Hu, who began researching high-speed imaging a decade ago during his PhD. After years of R&D and team-building, Spark represents the company’s mission to democratise high-speed cinematography by removing the barriers of price, bulk and workflow complexity. “Spark is more than a camera – it’s an invitation to create the impossible,” said Hu. Early adopter shipping is planned for the start of 2026. pixboom.com
P ixboom had the IBC crowd the hands of more filmmakers. The world of true super-speed cinematography has traditionally been locked firmly behind bulky systems like the £70,000/$80,000 Phantom Flex. But the Spark changes that, with early-bird buyers able to snap one up for £6000/$8000, which includes a £1480/$2000 Pixboom Pro memory card. At its heart, the Spark carries a 14.2-megapixel Super 35 global shutter CMOS sensor, delivering more than 13 stops of dynamic range. By eliminating rolling shutter, it preserves every motion without skew or wobble, whether shooting fixated on its new Spark high- speed cinema camera designed to bring pro-level slow motion into sports, VFX plates or live action. Dual native ISO and a BSI sensor architecture give it decent low-light performance, says Pixboom, capturing clean slow motion in conditions that cripple traditional systems.
The Spark offers staggering frame rates of up to 670fps at 4.6K open gate, 887fps at DCI 4K and a blistering 2182fps at 2K. Crucially, this is backed by truly unlimited Raw capture thanks to 10GB/s throughput, meaning no RAM buffer limits. Recording is handled via Pixboom’s Pro Card media. Designed for sustained high-speed data rates, these cards offload via USB-C at 20Gbps without the need for a dedicated card reader. A compressed Pixboom Raw format preserves maximum sensor data
CATCH ME IF YOU CAM The 1800fps Pixboom can record incredible slow motion that opens up new creative options
Tripod giant Sachtler has revealed its Ace Mk II tripod head, the newest generation of its lightweight fluid head line. Available in both medium (M) and extra large (XL) versions, the updated range brings the Ace’s renowned SACHTLER SHOWS A SECOND ACE UP ITS SLEEVE smooth drag and precise counterbalance to an even more refined design. The Ace M Mk II supports cameras up to 4kg/8.8lb, while the £574/$722 Ace XL Mk II handles rigs up to 8kg/17.6lb, making the series adaptable for everything from
compact mirrorless builds to larger cinema set-ups. No UK or US prices have yet been revealed for the medium head. sachtler.com
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