New benchmark in low-light imaging: Pi Imaging compares SPAD 512 with EMCCD camera

Lausanne, May 27, 2025 – Pi Imaging Technology has released a comprehensive white paper that compares the performance of its SPAD 512 camera with leading electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) cameras in low-light imaging environments. Authored by Maxime Berchet, Cyril Saudan, and Michel Antolovic, the paper underscores the central importance of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in photon-sensitive imaging and delivers new insights into SPADs sensor technologies.

The white paper addresses a fundamental challenge in imaging: how to achieve superior sensitivity and minimal noise at extremely low light levels. SPAD technology, central to Pi Imaging’s SPAD 512 camera offers high-speed, high-sensitivity performance with zero readout noise, enabling reliable single-photon detection. These attributes position SPAD 512 as a compelling solution for applications requiring both precision and speed.

The study demonstrates that SPAD 512 delivers high SNR values in conjunction with high-dynamic range, while EMCCD cameras have inherent tradeoffs between SNR and dynamic range. This advantage is largely due to the SPAD architecture’s negligible readout noise, which allows for more accurate photon counting even in the most photon-starved scenarios.

The white paper also highlights the high-speed imaging capabilities of SPAD 512, showcasing its ability to track fast-moving fluorescent beads with clarity and precision at frame rates that far exceed (x100) those of EMCCD systems. In dynamic scenes where both sensitivity and speed are crucial, SPAD 512 proves to be a powerful tool.

According to Michel Antolovic, CEO at Pi Imaging Technology, the study reinforces the strategic advantages of SPAD 512. “This research validates that SPAD 512 is not only a high-performance alternative to traditional EMCCD cameras but also a transformative solution for next-generation imaging where both speed and ultra-low-light sensitivity are essential.”

The full white paper, complete with data, methodology, and application insights, is available for download here.