The Kron Technologies Chronos Q12 ultra-high-speed camera records up to 2,313 frames per second at its native resolution of 2560 × 2016, according to specifications released by the manufacturer. Designed for technical users and filmmakers who prioritize temporal resolution over pixel count, the Q12 starts at $19,995 with 64GB of RAM and reaches more than 5,000 FPS at a 1080p resolution.
Chronos Q12 Specifications and Frame Rate Performance
The Chronos Q12 features an APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.04 × 18.14 mm with a global electronic shutter. According to Kron Technologies, the global shutter captures extremely fast motion without the geometric distortion common in rolling shutters. The camera offers 8-bit, 10-bit, and 12-bit modes while supporting CinemaDNG RAW, TIFF RAW, H.264, and H.265 file formats.
Reducing the vertical resolution allows users to achieve significantly faster frame rates. According to the manufacturer, the device performs across various settings as follows:
- 2560 × 2016: 2,313 FPS
- 2560 × 1440: 3,116 FPS
- 1920 × 1080: 5,148 FPS
- 1536 × 864: 7,471 FPS
- Heavily reduced resolution: 29,515 FPS maximum
Comparing Chronos Q12, Freefly Wave, and Freefly Ember S5K
At the $20,000 price point, buyers face distinct philosophical choices between manufacturers. The Freefly Ember S5K, which starts at $18,795 with commonly configured versions landing between $19,500 and $20,000, prioritizes resolution and filmmaking workflows. According to Freefly specifications, the Ember S5K delivers 5K at 600 FPS, 4K at 800 FPS, and up to 936 FPS at 4K with newer firmware using a Super 35 global-shutter sensor with 10-bit Apple ProRes.
Another alternative, the Freefly Wave, lists at $7,995 and records 4096 × 2176 at 422 FPS, scaling up to 9,259 FPS at a heavily cropped 2048 × 128 resolution. Unlike the Q12, the Wave records continuously to an internal 2TB SSD rather than utilizing a RAM buffer.
The Chronos Q12 represents a substantial evolution from earlier budget-friendly high-speed gear. In 2019, Kron Technologies introduced the Chronos 2.1-HD, which offered 1920 × 1080 at 1,000 FPS for approximately $5,000. The new Q12 reaches 5,148 FPS at that same Full HD resolution, marking a fivefold speed increase over the older platform, albeit at a higher starting price of $19,995 for the 64GB RAM version and $21,995 for the 128GB iteration.
Workflow Differences: RAM Buffering Versus Continuous SSD Recording
The Q12 relies on a traditional high-speed-camera workflow by capturing footage into RAM first before transferring it to a built-in 1TB NVMe SSD. According to operational data, the 64GB Q12 configuration provides approximately 5.7 seconds of recording time at maximum resolution, while the 128GB version extends this window to roughly 11.5 seconds.
This RAM-first approach suits events that can be anticipated or electronically triggered. By contrast, cameras like the Freefly Ember and Freefly Wave allow operators to start recording continuously directly to an SSD without waiting to clear a RAM buffer.
To accommodate diverse optics, the Q12 provides lens mount flexibility. According to Kron Technologies, the camera supports passive C, E, F, EF, Micro Four Thirds, and PL mounts, allowing operators to mount scientific, industrial, photography, or cinema lenses. The camera body weighs 1.32 kg without a lens and includes a 5-inch 1000-nit touchscreen.
Did You Know? The Chronos Q12 does not shoot in 4K resolution at all, focusing instead on delivering over 5,000 frames per second at 1080p for specialized high-speed analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the native resolution of the Chronos Q12?
According to Kron Technologies, the native resolution of the Chronos Q12 is 2560 × 2016.
How much does the Chronos Q12 cost?
The Q12 starts at $19,995 for the 64GB RAM model, while the 128GB version costs $21,995.
Does the Chronos Q12 record continuously to an SSD?
No. The Q12 captures footage into an internal RAM buffer first—providing between 5.7 and 11.5 seconds of recording time depending on RAM size—before saving the files to the built-in 1TB NVMe SSD.
What lens mounts are supported by the Q12?
According to the manufacturer, the camera supports passive C, E, F, EF, Micro Four Thirds, and PL lens mounts.
Explore More: Share your thoughts on high-speed camera workflows in the comments below, or check out our related equipment reviews to stay updated on cinema technology trends.
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