Summary
- The Chronos Q12 reaches 5,148 fps in Full HD and 7,471 fps at 1536×864, with an APS-C global shutter, RAW recording and 1TB SSD.
The Chronos Q12 is Kron Technologies’ new high-speed camera, combining an APS-C global-shutter sensor with capture at up to 5,148 fps in Full HD.
It is designed for applications where capture speed takes priority over very high resolution, ranging from scientific and industrial imaging to specialised slow motion for creative productions.
From 2,313 fps at full resolution to 7,471 fps at 1536×864
At its full 2560×2016 resolution, the Q12 records up to 2,313 fps in 8-bit. The rate rises to 3,116 fps at 2560×1440, 5,148 fps at 1920×1080 and 7,471 fps at 1536×864. The maximum reaches 29,515 fps, but only at a heavily reduced 128×32 resolution, so the more meaningful advantage for image production is the very high frame rates that remain available at more practical resolutions.
APS-C global shutter with 8-, 10- or 12-bit capture
The CMOS APS-C sensor has an active area of 23.04×18.14 mm, a 29.3 mm diagonal and a 1.5x crop factor. It uses an electronic global shutter, which is important when recording very fast motion because it avoids the geometric distortion associated with rolling shutter. Bit depth can be set to 8, 10 or 12 bit; at full resolution Kron specifies 2,313 fps at 8-bit, 1,900 fps at 10-bit and 975 fps at 12-bit.
RAM buffer, 1TB NVMe and CinemaDNG RAW
The Q12 is offered with 64GB or 128GB of capture memory. At maximum resolution in 8-bit, recording time is about 5.7 seconds with 64GB and 11.5 seconds with 128GB. Footage can then be saved to the built-in 1TB NVMe SSD or to external media.
For post-production, it supports CinemaDNG RAW and TIFF, while H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC are available for more manageable files. This creates two distinct workflow options: maximum grading flexibility with RAW, or smaller files when handling speed matters more.
Touchscreen, connections and power
The rear panel carries a 5-inch 800×480 touchscreen rated at 1,000 nits, along with a physical jog wheel. The camera provides two USB-C ports, HDMI live output up to 4096×2160 at 30 fps, Gigabit Ethernet through an adapter, and trigger/frame-strobe connections for synchronised capture.
There is no built-in battery. The Q12 runs from 12–24V/60W power and ships with a 90W power supply and D-Tap cable, which needs to be considered for portable or field production.
Six passive lens mounts
The system accepts interchangeable passive C, Sony E, Nikon F, Canon EF, Micro Four Thirds and PL mounts. The lack of electronic lens control means practical operation depends on the lens and mount being used, but the broad selection makes it easier to integrate the camera into different optical systems.
Price and availability
No official European price was found. Kron’s official comparison page shows a starting price of $19,995, while published information specifies US$19,995 for the 64GB version and US$21,995 for the 128GB version. The camera is available to order from Kron Technologies.
More information here.
What we think
The Chronos Q12 is not a general-purpose cinema camera, but a specialised tool for situations where capturing motion at thousands of frames per second is the central requirement. For creators, the most relevant figures are 5,148 fps at Full HD and 7,471 fps at 1536×864, combined with CinemaDNG RAW and a broad mount selection. The short RAM-buffer recording window and the need for external power remain important practical considerations outside a controlled environment.
Frequently asked questions
How many fps can the Chronos Q12 record in Full HD?
At 1920×1080, the Q12 reaches up to 5,148 fps.
What is its maximum frame rate?
The maximum specified rate is 29,515 fps at 128×32, with a very large reduction in resolution.
Does it record RAW?
Yes. It supports CinemaDNG RAW, as well as TIFF, H.264 and H.265.
Does it have a built-in battery?
No. It requires 12–24V external power and ships with a 90W power supply and D-Tap cable.
Which lens mounts are supported?
Passive C, E, F, EF, MFT and PL mounts are supported.
