Pixboom Spark - 4K High-Speed Camera

CBM expands its product portfolio with the Pixboom Spark, a compact high-speed camera designed for professional production environments. Developed for applications where extremely high frame rates, geometric precision, and repeatable results are critical, the Spark primarily targets commercial and product filmmaking, as well as broadcast, sports, and technical users.

Images: Pixboom Spark

At the core of the Spark is a Super 35 sensor with backside illumination and a global shutter. The camera delivers up to 1,000 fps in 4K and up to 1,800 fps in 2K. This enables motion not only to be slowed down, but structurally analyzed and creatively controlled—whether for liquid simulations in tabletop setups, impact shots in automotive commercials, or highly dynamic sports sequences.

The global shutter exposes all pixels simultaneously, completely eliminating typical artifacts such as rolling shutter distortion, “jello” effects, skew during pans, or deformed rotating objects. This is essential for high-speed imaging with short exposure times—both for visual integrity in advertising and for analytical applications in sports and industry.

The backside-illuminated sensor architecture optimizes light efficiency at the pixel level. Combined with Dual Native ISO, the signal-to-noise ratio remains stable even at high frame rates. As a result, the Spark delivers consistent image quality in brightly lit studios as well as in controlled low-light environments, without compromising dynamic range or color stability.

Continuous Recording, Flexible Frame Rates, and Workflow Integration

A key differentiator from traditional high-speed systems is direct, buffer-free recording to NVMe media. Instead of time-limited RAM capture windows, the Spark architecture allows continuous recording, limited only by storage capacity. This significantly increases reliability on set and reduces the risk of missing critical moments.

An integrated pre-record function additionally captures footage before the actual trigger event—particularly valuable for unpredictable motion, sports actions, or technical test sequences.

Frame rates are fully flexible and not locked to fixed resolutions. By selecting either the full sensor area or a smaller region of interest (ROI), users can prioritize maximum resolution or extreme frame rates depending on production requirements.

The Spark features professional I/O interfaces for monitoring and signal distribution, providing broadcast-ready outputs for live productions and complex setups. Recording, preview, and playback are fully integrated into a single system: settings, playback, and image review are handled directly on the camera—without additional hardware.

Design, Operation, and Continuous Performance

The camera housing is compact, robust, and optimized for modular rig configurations. Standardized mounting points allow seamless integration into studio setups, gimbals, drones, or specialized rigs.

Control is available via a high-resolution touchscreen or dedicated physical buttons. This dual-control concept supports both fast on-set adjustments and precise manual operation under demanding production conditions.

The system architecture is designed for continuous operation. An integrated thermal management system ensures stable performance even at high frame rates over extended recording periods.

Power is supplied via professional standard interfaces, eliminating the need for adapters or improvised power solutions.

Target Groups and Applications

• Commercial & Product Film: Tabletop and food cinematography, liquids, particles, and micro-movements—high-speed visuals for creative and commercial productions.
• Broadcast, Drones & Gimbals: Lightweight, robust, and vibration-resistant—ideal for stabilized setups, drones, or mobile rigs in live and studio environments.
• Sports & Motion Analysis: Detailed slow-motion capture up to 1,000 fps in 4K and 1,800 fps in 2K for elite sports, biomechanical research, and sports technology development.
• Sporting Events: Motorsport, football, technical sports, and action sports—high-speed imagery for broadcast, training analysis, and event documentation.
• Industry & Research: Motion tracking, technical analysis, material testing, and specialized imaging—delivering consistent precision over long recording sessions.
• Advertising & Marketing: Complex commercials with impact shots, liquid simulations, product animations, and high-frame-rate visual effects.
• Creative Content Production: Social media, cinema, and web productions requiring cinematic slow-motion imagery.

Key Features for Creative Professionals

• From bright daylight to low light: Dual Native ISO and a BSI sensor ensure consistent image quality across a wide lighting range, without compromises in noise or dynamic range.
• Unlimited recording time: Direct NVMe recording without RAM buffering enables continuous high-speed capture, limited only by media capacity.
• Pre-record function: Captures events before the record button is pressed—ideal for unpredictable action in sports, advertising, or technical applications.
• Real-time widescreen preview: Anamorphic and cinematic formats can be evaluated directly on the camera display in real time.
• Flexible resolution and extreme frame rates: Resolution and ROI selection allow precise balancing of detail and high-speed performance.
• Dual control: Operation via high-resolution touchscreen or physical buttons, depending on workflow and rig configuration.
• Control, preview, and playback in one system: All camera settings, monitoring, and playback are handled directly on the device—no external monitors required.
• Broadcast-ready signal output: Professional interfaces and stable signal paths for demanding live and broadcast productions.
• Professional power without adapters: Ready for professional environments without improvised power or accessory solutions.
• High sustained performance: Efficient thermal management ensures stable operation during long high-speed recording sessions.
• Cinematic slow motion on any rig: Handheld, gimbal, drone, or studio—compact size and low weight provide maximum flexibility.

Technical Highlights & Workflow

• Sensor & Shutter: Super 35 BSI CMOS sensor with global shutter for distortion-free motion, even at extreme frame rates.
• Dynamic Range & ISO: Over 13 stops of dynamic range, Dual Native ISO for consistent performance from daylight to low light.
• Resolutions & Frame Rates: 4K up to 1,000 fps, 2K up to 1,800 fps, 4.6K Open Gate up to 670 fps.
• Monitoring & Control: 3.5-inch touchscreen with 6.22 million dots plus full physical controls for precise operation.
• Connections: 12G-SDI, HDMI 2.0, Genlock & Timecode, USB-C for professional broadcast and production integration.
• Media: Pixboom Pro Card 2.5 TB—direct NVMe recording, unlimited capture time, including pre-record.
• Lens Mounts: Interchangeable PL, E, and EF mounts with full electronic communication.
• Design & Handling: Lightweight aluminum unibody (approx. 1.1 kg), efficient thermal management, ready to operate without adapters.

Availability & Configurations

CBM offers the Pixboom Spark in the following configurations:

• Spark Kit: Camera body, mount, and Pixboom Pro Card
• Spark Body: Camera body with choice of mount (PL, E, EF)
• Pixboom Pro Card 2.5 TB: High-performance NVMe recording media
• Optional Mount Adapters: PL, E, EF
  
  
  

Technical Specifications