Apple may have just introduced a very cool new Slo-Mo video feature with the iPhone 5s, but it only scratches the surface in terms of what’s possible with high-speed video. A new Kickstarter project wants to take extreme slow motion more mainstream, with a camera design called the ‘edgertronic’ that’s both compact and capable of capturing video at extremely high frame rates.
High-speed cameras currently available are both expensive and relatively bulky. They can cost upwards of $10,000, and are often the size of fairly large camcorders at best. But the edgertronic prototype will cost backers just under $5K, and the design is remarkably small – not too much bigger than a GoPro in fact.
The camera can capture footage at a maximum of 17,791fps, but at that incredible speed resolution will be limited to 192×96. HD (720p) resolution requires shooting at the slower, but still massively impressive 701fps. Compare that to the 120fps that the iPhone 5s shoots 720p video at, and you start to get a sense of just how slowed down the edgertronic’s video can get.
Edgertronic’s production-ready design features an Ethernet and 2 USB ports for connections, has an audio input port, and supports Nikon F-mount lenses. If you back it on Kickstarter, you can get an accessory pack that includes an Ethernet cable, power adapter, a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D lens and more.
The SF-based team behind Edgertronic includes founder Mike Matter, who has worked on a number of consumer electronic and commercial/industrial grade electronics over the years, including the Apple Powerbook 540c. Joining him and his decades of experience are Juan Pineda, his co-founder and the software architect for the project, along with some a team that includes industrial design, power management and Linux expertise.
Edgertronic is confident its camera is production ready, and the proof is in the pudding, which in this case means those slow-motion videos you see above. The projected ship date for its initial group of devices is December, 2013, with a follow-up batch planned for delivery in April, 2014. $5K is still a lot of dough, but if you’re a sucker for super slow-mo, this could be the best game in town.
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