What Phantom Ametek does

Vision Research, Inc., doing business as Phantom High-Speed, designs and manufactures digital high-speed camera systems for scientific research, automotive safety testing, defense and aerospace, materials testing, life sciences and biomechanics, and digital cinematography. Founded in 1950 as the Photographic Analysis Company and rebranded under the Phantom label in 1997, the company has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME) within its Materials Analysis Division since 2008, with headquarters and primary manufacturing in Wayne, New Jersey, and additional camera manufacturing in Wrexham, North Wales. The company has earned a Technical Emmy and an Academy Award for contributions to high-speed digital imaging and holds US Patent #5,625,412 (1998) for foundational digital high-speed imaging technology.

The company's core technology is its proprietary in-house CMOS sensor portfolio with back-side illuminated (BSI) designs achieving noise ratings below 4.4 e- under EMVA 1288, frame rates up to 1.75 million frames per second, throughput up to 75 Gpx/s on the TMX series, and 170G shock-rated packaging for automotive crash testing. Product lines span ultra-high-speed (TMX), high-throughput compact (T-Series), compact scientific (KT-Series), rugged (VEO), automotive-specific (C-Series), space-constrained (Miro), ultraviolet-extended, and machine vision cameras (S641, S711). Two software platforms extend the hardware: Phantom Camera Control (PCC 4.1), with GPU-accelerated live view and synchronized control of up to 64 cameras, and Phantom Cine Analyzer (PCA), a Python-based scientific analysis tool for object tracking, vibrational analysis, and automated reporting. A Python SDK and accessory ecosystem (CineMag, CineStation, JB3 junction boxes) round out the offering.

Revenue is generated through high-speed camera hardware sales, software licenses (PCC, PCA), recurring Phantom Care support plans, usage-based rentals via Phantom Direct Rentals, and professional imaging application services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company sells through US regional direct sales teams organized by industry vertical (Government/Aerospace, Industrial/BioMed, Academic), AbelCine as exclusive TV/motion picture sales agent, Deltaphotonics in Canada, and a global network of authorized distributors across more than 60 countries. The customer base spans automotive crash testing facilities, defense and aerospace organizations, research universities and government labs, and TV/motion picture production studios — without named individual customer logos disclosed in available data.

Name

Phantom Ametek

Legal name

Vision Research, Inc.

Website

https://phantomhighspeed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vision Research, Inc. (Phantom High-Speed), an AMETEK subsidiary since 2008, designs and manufactures proprietary CMOS-based digital high-speed cameras and supporting software for automotive crash testing, defense, academia, life sciences, and digital cinematography, with manufacturing in the USA and UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific and industrial high-speed imaging cameras

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

3D Scanning Hardware (Handheld, Desktop, Long-Range, In-Line) (IMAAAHAA)

Keywords

• High-speed imaging cameras
• Digital high-speed cameras
• Slow-motion cinematography
• Automotive crash imaging
• Ballistics imaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Wayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. High-Speed Camera Hardware: Sale of digital high-speed cameras across multiple product lines (TMX, T-Series, KT-Series, VEO, C-Series, Miro). Hardware represents the primary revenue stream with cameras ranging from scientific research to automotive crash testing applications.
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Phantom Camera Control (PCC) and Phantom Cine Analyzer (PCA) software platforms provide imaging control and analysis capabilities. Software supports the camera ecosystem and enables data acquisition and scientific analysis.
3. Support Plans and Extended Warranties: Phantom Support Plan includes annual factory checkups, extended warranty coverage, priority service, and 50% off rental equipment. Annual factory certification ensures cameras meet original specifications.
4. Camera Rentals: Phantom Direct Rentals provides cameras for short-term needs with packages including camera body, power supply, cabling, and optional equipment. Multi-camera rentals eligible for discounts.
5. Imaging Applications Services: Professional services including image analysis (measurements, object tracking, rotational analysis, DIC, vibrational analysis), camera setup and configuration, camera integration and signals alignment, and custom proprietary image analysis.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Phantom High-Speed (Vision Research, Inc.) designs, manufactures, and sells digital high-speed cameras for scientific research, automotive crash testing, defense/aerospace, materials science, life sciences, and media/entertainment applications. Its offering spans multiple camera product lines (TMX, T-Series, KT-Series, VEO, C-Series, Miro, Machine Vision) built on proprietary in-house CMOS sensors, complemented by Phantom Camera Control (PCC) and Phantom Cine Analyzer (PCA) software, plus rental, support, and analysis services.

Product overview

Phantom High-Speed, a business unit of AMETEK Inc., manufactures high-speed digital cameras across multiple product lines serving scientific research, automotive safety testing, defense/aerospace, materials testing, life sciences/biomechanics, and media/broadcast. The core product portfolio includes the TMX Series (BSI ultra-high-speed flagship), T-Series (compact high-speed), KT-Series (small-form-factor BSI), VEO Series (rugged versatile), C-Series (automotive crash/safety specific with BSI sensors), Miro C/N Series (compact/space-constrained), and Machine Vision cameras. Supporting the hardware are two key software platforms: PCC (Phantom Camera Control) for camera control, multi-camera synchronization, and workflow management; and PCA (Phantom Cine Analyzer) for Python-based scientific data analysis with object tracking and automated reporting. The company also offers UV-extended camera variants, Phantom Care (extended warranty and service plans), Phantom Analysis (post-processing analysis services), Applications Services (setup and integration support), rental programs, and accessories including CineMag/CineStation storage and junction boxes. The portfolio is sold directly and through global distributors, with manufacturing in Wayne, NJ (HQ) and Wrexham, UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phantom Camera Control (PCC): Precision camera control software platform for Phantom high-speed cameras, enabling synchronized multi-camera control, GPU-accelerated live view, and project-based workflows.
• Phantom Cine Analyzer (PCA)
• Phantom Care
• Phantom Academy
• Vision Research

Products and services

• TMX Series High-Speed Cameras Ultrahigh-speed flagship camera line with proprietary BSI CMOS sensors for research and industrial applications.
• T-Series High-Speed Cameras Compact ultrahigh-speed cameras for industrial research and defense applications.
• KT-Series High-Speed Cameras Compact high-speed cameras with BSI sensors for scientific research and industrial applications.
• UV Extended High-Speed Cameras UV-capable high-speed camera variants for ultraviolet spectrum imaging down to 250nm.
• VEO Series High-Speed Cameras Rugged versatile high-speed cameras for scientific, outdoor, and film production environments.
• Phantom C-Series High-Speed Cameras BSI high-speed cameras purpose-built for automotive crash and safety imaging with 170G shock rating.
• Miro C and N Series High-Speed Cameras Compact lightweight cameras for space-constrained automotive, microscopy, and destructive testing applications.
• Machine Vision Cameras CXP streaming high-speed cameras for machine vision and industrial inspection.
• Phantom Camera Control (PCC) Software Camera control software providing precision configuration, synchronized multi-camera control, real-time histograms, exposure controls, Cine-raw management, batch processing, and file conversion for Phantom high-speed cameras.
• Phantom Cine Analyzer (PCA) Software Python-based scientific image analysis platform for object tracking, vibration analysis, rotational analysis, and automated reporting from high-speed footage.
• Phantom Direct Rentals Short-term camera rental service offering flexible timeframes with bundled power supply, cabling, and accessories.
• Phantom Care Support Program Extended warranty and support subscription program with annual factory certification and rental discounts.
• Phantom Analysis Services Professional post-processing analysis services for high-speed imaging data, including DIC, vibration, rotation, and Schlieren imaging.
• Phantom Imaging Applications Services Expert applications engineering services for camera setup, configuration, integration, and advanced image analysis.
• CineMag and CineStation Storage Accessories Data storage and offloading accessories for Phantom camera raw recording workflows.
• Junction Boxes (JB-Series) Multi-camera synchronization junction boxes supporting large-scale Phantom camera rigs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Frame rates up to 1.75M fps at reduced resolution
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• AMETEK, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMETEK is the parent company of Vision Research/Phantom High-Speed. Phantom is part of AMETEK's Materials Analysis Division within the Process & Analytical Market Group. AMETEK is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales over $7.0 billion and stock included in S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 1000 Indices. The division also includes CAMECA, EDAX, SPECTRO, and Amptek.
• AbelCinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAbelCine is the exclusive sales agent for Vision Research Phantom cameras into the TV & Motion Picture production market in the US and Canada. They have offices in NY (Brooklyn), LA (Burbank), and Chicago to serve production clients across North America.
• DeltaphotonicsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeltaphotonics serves as the Canadian distributor for Vision Research Phantom cameras serving both industry and academic markets through their network in Canada.
• Global Authorized DistributorsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of authorized distributors trained in Phantom camera sales and operation across regions including Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Countries covered include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, and many more.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu is a broad incumbent in photonics and high-speed imaging, offering ORCA cameras and streak cameras used in scientific research, life sciences, and industrial inspection. Their broader portfolio overlaps with Phantom in scientific imaging but spans far more end-markets including medical and semiconductor.
• Basler: Basler is a leading machine vision camera manufacturer serving factory automation and industrial inspection customers. Their ace and dart series compete with Phantom's S641 and S711 machine vision cameras in industrial imaging applications, though at lower frame rates.
• Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR offers a broad portfolio of industrial, scientific, and thermal imaging cameras that overlaps with Phantom's machine vision and scientific imaging lines. While not a direct ultra-high-speed camera competitor, they serve overlapping customers in defense, industrial inspection, and research.
• Sony (Industrial Cameras): Sony's Image Sensing Solutions division produces high-performance industrial cameras (XCG, XCI series) used in machine vision, scientific imaging, and broadcast. While focused on standard frame rates, Sony's CMOS sensor technology and brand compete with Phantom in machine vision and select scientific applications.

Direct peers

• iX Cameras: iX Cameras manufactures ultra-high-speed cameras (i-SPEED series) serving defense, automotive, and scientific research applications. They are a direct niche competitor to Phantom with comparable frame-rate performance and overlapping customer segments in ballistics and crash testing.
• Mikrotron: Mikrotron, a German high-speed camera manufacturer, offers the MotionBLITZ and EoSens series used in industrial inspection, automotive testing, and research. They directly compete with Phantom's machine vision and entry-level high-speed camera lines in European industrial markets.
• Specialized Imaging: Specialized Imaging designs high-speed cameras specifically for ballistics, detonics, and automotive crash testing, with multi-camera synchronization capabilities. Their SIM and Kirana product lines compete head-to-head with Phantom in defense and crash-test applications.
• Photron: Photron is a direct competitor in high-speed digital cameras, offering the FASTCAM series used in automotive crash testing, ballistics, and scientific research. Their product range (FASTCAM Mini, SA-Z, Nova) directly competes with Phantom's TMX, T-Series, and VEO lines across the same end-markets.

Emerging players

• Vision Components: Vision Components provides embedded industrial cameras and machine vision systems. They are an emerging player in compact and OEM-integrated industrial imaging, overlapping with Phantom's Miro and machine vision camera lines in space-constrained industrial applications.
• Olympus (Evident Scientific): Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions) provides high-speed cameras (i-SPEED III) and microscopy imaging solutions. They overlap with Phantom in life sciences, materials science, and academic research applications, particularly for slow-motion and motion analysis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PhantomHighSpeed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vision-research
• Xx.com/phantomhispeed
• Facebookfacebook.com/visionresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Phantom Ametek