Proton Camera Innovations will unveil the world’s smallest slow-motion mini camera at NAB2025 (Booth N314): the Proton High Frame Rate (HFR) camera. Designed to meet the growing demand for high-speed capture in sports broadcasting, the Proton HFR is the first global shutter minicam in Proton’s range and the first to feature a C-mount lens system.
Offering exceptional slow-motion capabilities, a compact and flexible design, and seamless integration with live production workflows, the Proton HFR is set to redefine high-performance sports cinematography. It joins their existing suite of miniaturised cameras, which include the flagship Proton – the smallest broadcast-quality camera currently available on the market, the Proton Flex and 4K Flex, the Proton Zoom, and the Proton Rain – all of which will be on display at NAB2025.
The Proton HFR has been engineered to provide outstanding image clarity in high-speed environments, with frame rates of up to 240fps – enabling smooth, super slow-motion capture. This is achieved by combining two, three or four phase SDI output which is then reassembled at the server, meaning that slow motion output is continuous. This dramatically simplifies the workflows associated with slow-motion capture, and allows for the camera itself to be smaller than many other slow-motion offerings on the market. From an image clarity perspective, the global shutter eliminates motion artefacts, ensuring crisp and accurate imaging of fast-moving action—an essential feature for applications such as goal-line technology and line-to-gain coverage in American football.
Despite its advanced technical specifications, the Proton HFR remains remarkably compact, addressing industry concerns about the bulk and stability of existing slow-motion minicams. Furthermore, for those who want even more mounting flexibility, the HFR is also available in a ‘flex’ format, a unique option allowing the camera head to be separated from its processing unit. This means operators can mount the lightweight head unit in space-constrained environments—such as pylon cameras at key field markers—while positioning the processing unit elsewhere for optimal cable management and stability.
With its C-mount lens system, the Proton HFR offers compatibility with a wide range of high-quality lenses, providing operators with greater creative control over depth of field and focal length. Crucially, the HFR also represents one of the most cost-effective cameras on the market, offering comparable specs in a smaller size for a significantly lower price than major competitors. In this way, it represents Proton’s wider mission to democratise access to market-leading broadcast cameras, offering production specialists of all types and sizes almost limitless creative potential in the way they deploy cameras to capture the energy, emotion and excitement of their subject.
Speaking on this idea, CEO Marko Höpken said: “Proton continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in high-performance mini cameras. The Proton HFR delivers industry-leading slow-motion capture in a compact, adaptable package, ensuring that broadcasters and production teams can achieve the highest-quality footage in the most demanding environments.”
He continued: “Our philosophy has always been to balance miniaturisation with uncompromising image quality and practical functionality. The Proton HFR embodies this approach, providing a powerful, flexible tool that enhances storytelling and immerses audiences in the action like never before – an opportunity that can be seized not only by major sports broadcasters, but also by lower leagues and smaller, niche sports productions. Or indeed, by any filmmaker who values stunning, crisp, super slow-motion imagery.”
Visitors to Booth N314 at NAB2025 will be able to see the Proton HFR in action and experience its compact size and performance firsthand