The Prime BSI Scientific CMOS (sCMOS) camera delivers the perfect balance between high resolution imaging and sensitivity with an optimized pixel design and near perfect 95% Quantum Efficiency.
- 95% Quantum Efficiency
- 6.5 µm x 6.5 µm Pixel Area
- 1 e- Read Noise
Key Features

Sensitivity
The Prime BSI back-illuminated sCMOS camera achieves a near-perfect 95% quantum efficiency. By bringing the light in from the back of the sensor, photons land directly onto the light receiving surface, maximizing light collecting capability. The Prime BSI combines 95% quantum efficiency with a low 1.0 e- read noise to deliver the most sensitive camera based on sCMOS technology at over 40 frames per second.

Resolution and Pixel Size
The Prime BSI features 6.5 μm pixels, the accepted standard for most live cell applications using 40x and 60x magnification. This pixel size provides highly detailed images across the imaging plane and is most suitable for the broadest range of microscope objectives.


Superior Background Quality
The Prime BSI features Pattern Noise Reduction Technology and Correlated Noise Reduction Technology to ensure that it delivers clean, pattern free images with minimal pixel defects, delivering improved image quality in low light conditions.

Advanced Triggering
Programmable Scan Mode provides increased control over the rolling shutter exposure and read-out functionality of CMOS sensors for applications that require control over the line time.
Sequenced Multiple Acquisition Real Time Streaming (SMART) Streaming enables the Prime BSI to capture a continuous sequence of images while cycling through 16 pre-programmed exposure time values, delivering the fastest multi-channel acquisition times.

Advanced Features
The Prime BSI offers PrimeEnhance active denoising which provides a real-time quantitative increase in the signal to noise ratio to maximize sensitivity at ultra-low light levels.
Family Specifications
Sensor Technology | sCMOS |
---|---|
Quantum Efficiency | 95% |
Pixel Size | 6.5 µm x 6.5 µm |
Supported Interfaces | PCIe and USB 3 |
Spectrum Capabilities | UV (200-400 nm), Visible (400-700 nm) Near Infrared (700-1000 nm) |
Read Noise (median) | 1.0 e- |
Camera Models
18.8 mm diagonal
63 fps @ 11-bit
Downloads
Customer Stories
Single Molecule Tracking

“With the Prime BSI the signal-to-noise ratio is much better, and simultaneously the field of view is huge compared to the previous EMCCD.”
Calcium Imaging

“The direct control of other devices by TTL output allowed reliable high-speed measurements triggered by the camera without a separate real-time controller. The combination of high sensitivity and the ability for fast measurements making use of this sensitivity became very useful.”
Patch Clamp Electrophysiology

“We recently started using the [Prime] BSI camera as a solution that allowed us to accelerate and make experiments more reliable in multiple ways… greatly improving the reliability in identifying and recording from fluorescently-labeled cells.”