Single-pixel imaging (SPI) has long been recognized for its potential in spectral regions where conventional imaging sensors fall short, such as the near-infrared spectrum. Yet, despite its sensitivity, SPI and its complex-field variants have faced critical bottlenecks in speed and throughput, hindering their adoption for real-time applications. A recently proposed approach—frequency-comb acousto-optic coherent encoding (FACE)—places an important step in overcoming these barriers, delivering an unprecedented space-bandwidth-time product. By showcasing its versatility through several compelling proof-of-concept demonstrations in real-time complex-field microscopy, this advance paves the way for transformative progress in optical imaging beyond the visible spectrum. We discuss here advantages, challenges and potential future directions for scaling up this technology.