Canadian high-speed camera maker Kron Technologies has given its Chronos Q12 a significant update, as first reported by PetaPixel. The revised model uses a 2560 x 2016 APS-C global shutter sensor and can record at up to 2,313fps at full resolution, rising to 7,471fps at 1536 x 864.
When the original Q12 was announced in 2023, it used a 2048 x 2016 sensor and topped out at 2,782fps at full resolution. The new version trades a little top speed at maximum resolution for a wider frame, while keeping the same launch pricing.
Speed and resolution
According to the Chronos Q12 product page, the camera captures 2,313fps at 2560 x 2016 in 8-bit mode. Dropping the resolution unlocks faster speeds, with PetaPixel listing 3,116fps at 2560 x 1440, 5,148fps at 1920 x 1080 and 7,471fps at 1536 x 864.
Bit depth can be set to 8, 10 or 12-bit, though frame rates drop as bit depth rises: PetaPixel quotes 1,900fps in 10-bit and 975fps in 12-bit at full resolution. The sensor has a 9µm pixel pitch.
Handling and workflow
The Q12 has a 5-inch touchscreen with a jog wheel for scrubbing through footage. Interchangeable lens mounts are available in PL, EF, E, F, C and Micro Four Thirds fittings, so it can be paired with most cine and stills glass. Footage can be saved as RAW CinemaDNG, H.264, H.265 or TIFF sequences.
Recording time depends on the memory buffer. Kron quotes 5.7 seconds at maximum resolution for the 64GB model and 11.5 seconds for the 128GB model. The camera runs from a 90W DC power supply rather than a battery.
Our take
At just under $20,000, the Chronos Q12 is still far from cheap, but it sits well below the price of high-end Phantom cameras. For science, sports analysis and product work where extreme slow motion matters more than cinematic polish, a wider APS-C frame at over 2,000fps is a useful step forward.
Chronos Q12 specifications
- Sensor: APS-C CMOS global shutter, 9µm pixels
- Full resolution: 2560 x 2016 at 2,313fps (8-bit)
- Maximum speed: 7,471fps at 1536 x 864
- Bit depth: 8, 10 or 12-bit
- Memory: 64GB (5.7sec at full res) or 128GB (11.5sec)
- Formats: RAW CinemaDNG, H.264, H.265, TIFF
- Lens mounts: PL, EF, E, F, C, MFT
- Screen: 5-inch touchscreen with jog wheel
- Power: 90W DC
Chronos Q12 price and availability
The Chronos Q12 costs $19,995 with 64GB of memory or $21,995 with 128GB, and is available to order direct from Kron Technologies. UK pricing has not been announced.
