The innovative USB 3.0 iStar sCMOS boasts frame rates at least 50% faster than competing CCD or interline platforms (at equivalent pixel matrix size), while offering intrinsically low noise floor. A better signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved with lower intensifier amplification gain, yielding market-leading dynamic range performance. It also features ‘dual-frame’ capabilities for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) with optical inter-frame as low as 300 ns.