Sony rumored to hit 4K 12-bit video at 502 FPS

This development represents a significant leap in high-speed data throughput for global shutter sensors, which traditionally sacrifice dynamic range for speed. By achieving 502 FPS at 12-bit depth, Sony is bridging the gap between specialized scientific instrumentation and commercial cinema requirements. If integrated into the Alpha or Cinema Line, it gives Sony a major competitive edge over rivals like Canon and Nikon in the sports and action sectors. Stakeholders should monitor if this tech moves from industrial 'Pregius S' flyers into consumer or professional camera prototypes, specifically checking for the upcoming FX3 II or A1 II announcements.

The rumored sensor specifications align with Sony Semiconductor Solutions' recent focus on high-speed industrial imaging. Per reports from Y.M.Cinema in June 2026, the specific IMX949-AQB sensor is a Type 1.8 CMOS chip with a 28.1 mm diagonal and 5.48 μm pixels. While Sony currently targets this hardware for factory automation and 3D vision, its balance of 4K-class resolution and extreme frame rates has caught the attention of the cinema community. This follows Sony's typical roadmap where high-performance industrial tech eventually trickles down to specialized production tools like the CineAlta series.

In February 2025, Sony released mass-production versions of the IMX901 and IMX902, which support 8K horizontal resolutions and utilize the same Pregius S technology. According to Framos, these prior sensors were designed to capture fast-moving objects without rolling shutter artifacts, primarily for industrial inspection. The leap to 502 FPS at 12-bit depth suggests Sony has solved critical data-handling and heat-dissipation challenges associated with high-bit-depth, high-speed readouts. The use of the SLVS-EC interface, which can handle baud rates exceeding 12 Gbps per lane, is central to managing this massive throughput.

Historically, Sony has used its global shutter breakthroughs to disrupt the professional photography and video markets, most notably with the late 2023 launch of the Alpha 9 III. As reported by PetaPixel and Adorama at the time, the A9 III was the first full-frame mirrorless camera to feature a global shutter, though it was limited to 120 FPS. The current rumor indicates a nearly five-fold increase in frame rate capability. While the Venice 2 and Burano remain the standards for high-end narratives, a 500 FPS global shutter sensor would likely find its first production home in a dedicated high-speed specialty camera or a future update to the FX cinema line.