Guide
Photo-finish cameras: Omega Scan'O'Vision, FinishLynx and the difference between 2,000 and 40,000 frames per second
· 6 min read
In short
- The older Omega Scan'O'Vision camera generation, Myria, recorded the finish line at 2,000 line-scan frames per second. The newer Scan'O'Vision ULTIMATE, used at events including the Paris 2024 Games, reaches up to 40,000 line-scan frames per second.
- The standard FinishLynx Vision PRO model reaches 3,000 frames per second, while upgraded versions reach 6,000 or as many as 20,000 frames per second.
- The top FinishLynx model, Vision PRO X, can handle up to 40,000 frames per second at an image height of 5,120 pixels.
- A higher frame rate does not automatically mean a more accurate result for an ordinary event — much simpler and less expensive equipment is sufficient for small and medium-sized races.
When people hear the term photo finish, few realize how wide a range of technology it covers — from cameras commonly used at the Olympics to professional systems capable of capturing twenty times as many frames per second.
Omega Scan'O'Vision: from 2,000 to 40,000 lines per second
The older generation of Omega cameras, Scan'O'Vision Myria, recorded the finish line at 2,000 line-scan frames per second. The newer Scan'O'Vision ULTIMATE, which Omega used at events including the Paris 2024 Games, reaches up to 40,000 line-scan frames per second — placing it in roughly the same performance class as the top FinishLynx model. We explain the principles behind photo-finish technology in greater detail in Photo finishes in horse racing.
FinishLynx and its model range
FinishLynx offers several models with different performance levels. The standard Vision PRO records 3,000 line-scan frames per second at an image height of 1,024 pixels, with upgrades available for 6,000 or as many as 20,000 line-scan frames per second. The top model, Vision PRO X, offers up to 40,000 line-scan frames per second and an image height of up to 5,120 pixels, depending on its configuration, although these two maximum values may not be available simultaneously. It also includes a built-in timer and GPS.
What those figures mean in practice
A higher number of line-scan frames makes it possible to distinguish extremely close finishes more precisely when ten-thousandths of a second or fractions of a millimetre decide the result, as we described in our Tour de France coverage. Read more in Tour de France: how time is measured. Most sports need less: official athletics and swimming results are published to hundredths of a second, although a photo finish may internally evaluate thousandths in the event of a tie, while Formula 1 publishes times to thousandths. Read more in Timekeeping standards.
When you actually need a photo finish
Photo-finish technology is expensive and demanding. It is most valuable when fractions of a second separate several competitors performing at the same level, but it can also verify finishing order or resolve protests even when the finish is not as close. It is unnecessary for ordinary running or cycling events that publish results in whole seconds — an RFID chip and reader are sufficient. Read more in Timing accuracy: RFID, photocells or manual timing.
The key takeaway
When choosing equipment for your event, do not be seduced by the high figures in suppliers' catalogues. Choose the level of precision that meets your real needs, not whatever is technically possible, as discussed in How to choose an event timing system.
Frequently asked questions
How many frames per second does Omega Scan'O'Vision record?
It depends on the generation: the older Scan'O'Vision Myria recorded 2,000 line-scan frames per second, while the newer Scan'O'Vision ULTIMATE, used at events including the Paris 2024 Games, reaches up to 40,000 line-scan frames per second.
What is the fastest FinishLynx photo-finish system?
The Vision PRO X, which can handle up to 40,000 line-scan frames per second and an image height of up to 5,120 pixels, depending on its configuration. The standard Vision PRO model records 3,000 line-scan frames per second.
Does a small event need a high-frame-rate photo-finish camera?
No. For running or cycling events that publish results in whole seconds, an RFID chip and reader, or a simpler timing system, are entirely sufficient. A photo finish is worthwhile only where fractions of a second decide the result.
Why do photo-finish cameras have different frame rates?
A higher frame rate provides finer resolution for extremely close finishes, but it is also more expensive and demands more data processing. The right choice depends on the level of precision the sport or event needs.