kit check | Pixboom Spark
Pixboom’s engineers clearly know that modern filmmakers want workflow simplicity as much as specifications. The Spark records compressed Raw directly to its own high-speed SSD media, which is capable of handling data rates of up to 20GB∕s. Footage can then be offloaded over USB-C without requiring external readers. But beware, the files are vast. Great and small The camera has a refreshingly modern appearance. Instead of a giant industrial science box, the Spark looks more like a cross between a compact cinema camera and an Apple product. Its clean all-silver design instantly stands out among rows of aggressive black cine gear, although a black version is available. The body is tiny, weighing around 1.1kg∕2.43lb, which makes it a realistic option for gimbals, handheld rigs, drones and motion-control set-ups. There’s a touchscreen but the Spark features enough buttons and dials to avoid excessive menu digging. It comes with a V-Mount for a battery at the back. While there’s no EVF, we rigged up an Atomos monitor on top using the full-size HDMI. Despite the camera’s conventional handling and controls, the indisputable breakthrough is making superfast frame rates the norm instead of treating high- speed shooting as a luxury feature. Frame-rate progression stagnated because most cameras settled into a safe pattern where 4K at 60fps became standard, 120fps became premium and anything beyond that remained niche. Yet audiences love slow motion, which is why it is ubiquitous in commercials, sport, beauty campaigns, music videos, product films and social content. Slow motion reveals details usually invisible to the human eye. Water and
Fast company Our Spark set-up ready to shoot motocross racers in red-hot action. We had no overheating issues despite hot weather
fabric move and behave differently, explosions become sculptural and tiny moments suddenly feel cinematic. Eye-popping shots We loved filming water balloons being burst, the flash of a party popper as it goes off, a dog contorting its face to catch some snacks and birds taking flight from a feeding station. And we also filmed around 2TB of footage from a motocross race. You have to think and frame differently while filming with the camera or editing the footage. Speed ramping becomes an
essential skill in post. It’s a new way of thinking and makes your work stand out. The Spark puts ultra high-speed cinematography within reach of indie filmmakers, commercial shooters and creators. Importantly, the camera is not just fast but technically sophisticated. The global shutter sensor eliminates rolling shutter distortion – critical when filming at such extreme frame rates. Motion appears natural, explosions stay geometrically correct and rapid camera movement remains stable. Combined with BSI technology, Pixboom claims more than
What else shoots super slow-motion? at reduced resolutions. These
Among mainstream cinema and mirrorless cameras, nothing gets close to the speed of the Pixboom. But action cameras punch above their weight. The GoPro Hero 13 Black records up to 400fps at some resolutions, while the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro shoots 1080p/240fps. Even smartphones have joined the speed race. Recent flagship phones released by Apple, Samsung and Sony offer 240fps slow motion, with some models using software
The Pixboom Spark’s ability to shoot 4K at 1000fps puts it in rare company, but there are several alternatives on offer. At the higher end of the super slomo market sits Vision Research’s range of legendary Phantom cameras. Both the Phantom Flex 4K and Phantom TMX are industry standards for commercials, science, sports and Hollywood productions. The Flex 4K records in 4K at around 1000fps, while the TMX can reach well beyond 50,000fps
cameras remain the benchmarks for image quality, but are more often hired than bought. Another option is Freefly’s Ember, which shook the market with its 4K/800fps offer in a smaller, less-expensive package. The Ember S2.5K cameras cost around £25,000/$27,000 for the global shutter, 2.5K version, or roughly £18,000/ $19,500 for the 5K version, which tops out at 600fps in 5K. Neither of the cameras feature BSI sensors.
interpolation to create apparent 960fps footage. Yet there is still a huge gap between consumer slow motion of 240fps and true cinema-grade 1000fps capture. That is exactly the space the Pixboom Spark is aiming to own.
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July/August 2026
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