Phantom Flex VEO 4K-PL Exclusive Hands-On

by Nic DivischekOctober 1^st, 2017

Vision Research has recently introduced a new Phantom VEO 4K-PL, which like its older brother Phantom Flex 4K, can shoot up to 1000fps at full 4K DCI resolution, but in a smaller and more compact body.

What is the Phantom VEO line?

They say that when you touch a Phantom camera you go straight to heaven. At least that’s how I feel. Vision Research is a company that started out with high-speed cameras for military testing and analysing car-crash impacts, only to later turn its eye to the film industry with its revolutionary tech. In 2014, Vision Research introduced the mind-blowing Phantom Flex 4K camera, capable of 1000 frames-per-second at full 4K DCI resolution, in what many would consider the best quality 4K RAW compared to RED and even ARRI. Last year, Vision Research introduced the VEO line, a more compact version of their film industry cameras that continue the trend set by the ARRI Mini and RED – that smaller is better. Less weight and a more compact design mean more possibilities, such as the use of stabilisation platforms and even UAV. In comparison, the Phantom Flex 4K body weighs an incredible 5kg without ANYTHING on it. Add a lens, follow focus, rods, viewfinder, batteries, monitor and you can easily accumulate a weight that not many gimbals can handle.

Tip before you spend your money: 10Gb Ethernet

The VEO currently does NOT have 10GB Ethernet. The CineRaw files are saved onto CFast cards, which only have a download rate of 90MB/s. Every DIT that has worked with CineRAW files knows that this is what will kill production workflow. With datarates well exceeding 800mb/s, you will fill up 64GB with a 5 second shot at 1000fps.  Vision Research do give you the option to include 10GB Ethernet called “VRI‐VEO‐10G‐OPT” to your camera order. They will be offering a promotion that includes the 10G option for free for orders received up to December 15th 2017, after which the price will go up to $3000. Even with the promotion, be sure to add the line item to the quote at 0$ to ensure it is installed in the factory.

Technical Specs

• 35mm 9.4-megapixel sensor
• Global shutter, switchable to rolling shutter for increased dynamic range
• 4K-990 models capture up to 938 fps at 4096 x 2304; 1000 fps at 4096 x 2160;
  1975 fps at 2048 x 1080
• 10Gb Ethernet option for optimized workflow
• Size: 5 x 5.5 x 6” (12.7 x 14 x 15.2 cm); 6.0 lbs (2.8 kg)
• HDMI and 3G-SDI video outputs
• VEO4K-S and PL models include CFast, on-camera controls and secondary battery input for portability

Pricing and Shipment

What do you think of the new Phantom VEO4K camera? Do you believe its smaller compact size can be used in more shooting environments? Please let us know in the comments below.