Using EMVA 1288 to compare Phantom C-Series & Legacy Phantom Miro high speed cameras

How Phantom technology has evolved

Discover how the Phantom C-Series stacks up when compared to legacy Miro camera models when using, detailed EMVA 1288 standards to measure performance relevant parameters.

EMVA 1288 allows you to compare the performance of cameras scientifically and quantitatively

A technical comparison with EMVA 1288 of Phantom C-Series V Phantom Miro

Historically, assessing the performance of different high-speed camera sensors side-by-side lacked a universal framework that was effective in its assessment. The old ISO standard was designed for film cameras and lacked scientific rigour. By adhering to the EMVA 1288 standard, this issue is addressed. This scientific protocol provides a quantitative, standardised characterisation of sensor performance, delivering definitive measurements for temporal dark noise, dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, across the entire operational range of the camera as well as absolute sensitivity threshold, saturation capacity and dark current. Consequently, operators can make direct, repeatable comparisons against legacy Miro hardware using verified metrics rather than qualitative assessments.

The architectural updates in the Phantom C540 and Phantom C980 models, offer two main advantages: spatial resolution and noise reduction.

Increased Spatial Resolution

In terms of spatial resolution, legacy Miro cameras use a 2-megapixel baseline. In contrast, the Phantom C540 provides 4 megapixels and the Phantom C980 provides 8 megapixels. When operating within an identical field of view, this increased pixel density yields an image with finer details to allow the detection and measurement of smaller features that might otherwise be lost with lower-resolution sensors.

Noise Reduction and Low-Light Efficiency

High-speed imaging routinely, by its nature is starved of light due to shorter exposure times. Less light means lower signal on the sensor and so it operates closer to the noise floor, reducing its signal to noise ratio, especially in the shadowed darker regions of the scene. The Phantom C-Series utilises a back-side illuminated (BSI) sensor design which by nature frees up the light capturing area on a pixel and so captures more light. In addition it is designed to reduce read noise by a factor of approximately five. This reduction in baseline dark noise and increase in light collection expands the usable dynamic range, allowing researchers to accurately distinguish low-level signals from background noise in underexposed areas of the frame. For high speed cameras that are often operating in light starved conditions absolute sensitivity threshold and signal to noise ratio are often considered the most important parameters in camera selection. Saturation capacity and dynamic range become important when there is enough light to fill the pixel.

To see these sensor metrics mapped on technical charts - and how reduced dark noise improves clarity low-light Cine files - watch the comparison below.

About EMVA 1288

Evaluating a high-speed camera based on image performance has traditionally been qualitative, often relying on inaccurate side-by-side comparisons to gauge sensitivity. Developed by the European Machine Vision Association, EMVA 1288 is an electronic standard established to characterise industrial camera sensor performance using an objective, scientific approach.

The standard defines a consistent method to assess performance across key metrics:

Quantum efficiency (QE x FF) (%): Percent of photons that get converted to electrons at the specified wavelength (lambda). A higher QE correlates to higher light sensitivity. It is useful to refer to the sensor’s spectral response curve to find the precise QE value at specific wavelengths. The EMVA QE value bundles the fill factor value.

Temporal dark noise (e-): Also known as ‘Read Noise’. This is the noise present in the image when there is no incident light on the sensor (i.e., lens cap on). A lower value correlates to a better dynamic range, superior low light performance, and overall better image quality for more accurate image analysis.

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNRmax) (dB): Ratio of signal power to noise power. A higher value indicates better signal quality and ability to resolve small changes in light level.

Absolute sensitivity threshold (p): Quantity of photons required for a pixel to generate a signal that is equal to the noise. The lower the number, the better the sensor can identify detail in a low-light application.

Saturation capacity (Ke-): Also known as ‘Full Well Capacity’ (FWC). This is the amount of charge a pixel can store. A higher value correlates to a higher max SNR of the sensor, as the SNR trends with the square root of FWC due to photon Shot noise.

Dynamic range (dB): Ratio between the max pixel signal (or FWC) to the read noise. Higher values produce better image quality due to the ability to resolve fine grayscale features in the image including detail in the dark levels. A 12-bit image can have a dynamic range up to 72 dB.

Need help choosing a Phantom high-speed camera?

Speak with Adept Turnkey about Phantom C-Series cameras, legacy Miro upgrades or high-speed imaging requirements.

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