These low noise/high frame rate camera systems maintain the superb noise characteristic of the conventional cooled CCD camera, while at the same time adding high speed. In order to achieve both high speed and a low noise characteristic, a progressive scan interline CCD is used, which eliminates the need for a mechanical shutter. This means that problems such as vibration caused by the mechanical shutter at high frame rates, and the lifetime of the mechanical shutter, have been completely eliminated. In addition, taking advantage of the low dark current characteristic of the CCD used in these models, cooling can be suppressed to the minimum necessary level, and by switching from a conventional forced cooling system to a system which discharges heat by natural means, operation is significantly improved.