Variable speed video camera

A compact video camera which is operable at continuously variable shutter speeds to capture high speed events which may be recorded and played back in slow motion for scene analysis. The video camera includes an image sensor, a zoom lens, and a rotating shutter which is continuously adjustable to different shutter speeds. The camera components are dimensioned and configured in a compact design for easy-to-use hand-held operation. The shutter includes a pair of rotating shutter discs having openings which are selectively adjustable relative to each other to vary the interval during which the imager sensor is exposed to a scene projected onto it by the zoom lens. The shutter discs are mounted on respective first and second holow shafts. The first shaft is rotatably and slidably mounted on a portion of the second shaft by a linkage. Adjustment of the relative rotational position of the two disc to control the size of the relative shutter opening is effected by a cable which is connected at one end to the first shaft, which is passed through the hollow shafts and which is connected at its other end to a control member. The control member is actuated by a change in sensor signal intensity to effect a change in relative shutter opening.