Caméras planétaires et polyvalentes abordables

Affordable planetary cameras and multi-purpose cameras

Nouvelles caméras planétaires disponibles actuellement et prochainement, pour la photographie planétaire, lunaire, solaire, et les objets du ciel profond les plus contrastés. Voir le calcul échantillonnage et champ avec des capteurs courants.
Souvenirs: la première caméra CMOS polyvalente, en 2009: la Starfish.

Currently or soon available planetary cameras to shoot the planets, the Moon, the Sun, and the most contrasted, deep-sky objects. Compute the sampling and field of view for popular sensors.
Oldies: the first multi-purpose, CMOS camera, in 2009: the Starfish.

Sony IMX290/291-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

ZWO ASI290MC/MM (color / monochrome)

USB3

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

170 FPS 10 bits full resolution, max 355 FPS

ST4 port, 8/10/12-bit modes, aluminium housing, passive cooling (active, regulated cooling available as ASI290MC/MC-Cooled).
For Moon, Sun, planets, contrasted deep-sky objects. Lunar eclipses w/ colour version.
Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread (uncooled version).
Exposure range: 32µs-2000s.
May receive a 170° angle, 2.1-mm lens (all-sky, Milky Way, meteors...). Shipped w/ ST4 cable, USB3 cable. USB2 compatible.

$400 / €560 (5/2016)

QHYCCH QHY5III-290 C/M (color / monochrome)

USB3

C + 31.75/1.25

180 FPS max at full resolution, max 660 FPS with ROI (no error!)

ST4 port, 8/10/12-bit modes, aluminium housing, passive cooling. Cooled version is QHY290.
For Moon, Sun, planets, contrasted deep-sky objects. Lunar eclipses w/ colour version.
Exposure range: 5µs-600s.
Directly enters into a 31.75mm /1.25-in eyepiece holder draw tube, like all the QHY5II/III series, hence fits all telescopes whatever the backfocus. May receive a 50-mm F/1.4 lens. Shipped w/ ST4 cable with special LEMO, high-end connector, USB3 cable.

color: $400 / €560, mono $430 (May 2016)

Sony IMX178-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

ZWO ASI178MC (colour / monochrome)

USB3

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

30 FPS full 14 bits, max 497 FPS (yes!)

ST4 port, 8/10/14-bit modes, aluminium housing, passive cooling / DIY TEC cooling / planned regulated TEC cooling (-35...-40°C). Monochrome version gains 30% of incoming light and offers full definition. For Moon, Sun, planets, contrasted deep-sky objects. Lunar eclipses w/ colour version. Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread. Includes 170° angle, 2.5-mm lens (all-sky, Milky Way, meteores...), ST4 cable, USB3 cable.

mono: $470 / €490, color: $400 / €490 (May 2016)

QHYCCD QHY5III-178 C/M (color / monochrome)

USB3

C + 31.75/1.25

50 FPS max at full resolution, max 190 FPS with ROI

ST4 port, 8/10/14-bit modes, aluminium housing, passive cooling. Cooled version is QHY178.
For Moon, Sun, planets, contrasted deep-sky objects. Lunar eclipses w/ colour version.
Exposure range: 9µs-1200s.
Directly enters into a 31.75mm /1.25-in eyepiece holder draw tube, like all the QHY5II/III series, hence fits all telescopes whatever the backfocus. May receive a 50-mm F/1.4 lens. Shipped w/ ST4 cable with special LEMO, high-end connector, USB3 cable.

color: $400 / €495 (from tienda.lunatico.es), mono: $470 (May 2016)

Sony IMX185-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

ZWO ASI185MC (colour only)

USB3

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

54 FPS full 12 bits, max 515 FPS (no error!)

ST4 port, 8/10/12-bit modes, aluminium housing, passive cooling with possible DIY Peltier cooling and planned regulated, cooled version
The whole Solar system and contrasted deep-sky objects, more to come with future regulated-TEC version. Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread. Includes 170° angle, 2.5-mm lens (all-sky, Milky Way, meteores...), ST4 cable, USB3 cable.

$370 / €470 (May 2016)

Sony IMX224-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

ZWO ASI224MC (colour only). See Deep-sky with ASI224MC / Ciel profond avec l'ASI224MC.

USB3

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

150 fps 1304×976 10 bits, 577.9 fps 320×240 10 bits

exposure range 32µs-1000s, ST4 port, 8/10/12-bit modes, sturdy aluminium housing, passive cooling with possible DIY Peltier cooling (available with dual-stage, regulated cooling as ASI224MC-Cooled)
See images in planetary nebulae and clusters. Colour only but can be exploited in monochrome, near infrared, methane band, deep-sky in H-alpha (see my test images).
Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread. HDR not implemented until mass production and integration of associated ISP (IMX224 only, not IMX225). Includes ST4 cable + USB3 cable + 2.1-mm, 170° lens. AR protection window.
July 2015: I'm convinced that's a breakthrough: LRGB imaging is no longer necessary and the camera can operate in narrow band, Halpha, CH4, NIR, contrasted DSO as well.

$350/€430 (May 2016)

QHYIII-224 (color only).

USB3

C + 31.75/1.25

150 fps 1280×960 8 bits, 577.9 fps 320×240 8 bits

exposure range 7µs-429s, ST4 port, 8/10/12-bit modes, advanced passive cooling, 31.75-mm/1.25-in large aluminium housing: may enter into the drawtube to reach focal plane of all telescopes.
Includes ST4 cable + USB3 cable; may receive a 50-mm F1.4 lens + 2.1-mm. Antireflective + infrared cut (680nm) protection window.

$370 May 2016)

Aptina AR0132-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks
max

Price

Celestron Neximage Burst, mono or colour

USB2

C + 31.75/1.25

120 fps max, 30 FPS at full resolution

No ST4 port, 12 bits only, max exposure 1 second, HDR seems to be not implemented.
ABS housing. Entry-level camera designed for ease of use, for Solar system only

$280 (2014)

Celestron Skyris 132 mono or colour

USB3

C + 31.75/1.25

200 fps max, 60 FPS at full resolution

No ST4 port, 12 bits only, max exposure 30 seconds, HDR seems to be not implemented. Sturdy, aluminium housing with passive cooling. Designed for ease of use and reliability, for solar system only with extended exposures for distant planets and small bodies.

$400 (2015)

Aptina MT9M034-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

Altair Astro GP-Cam

USB2

31.75/1.25 + C and C/S lenses compatibility

200 fps max, 30 FPS at full resolution

8/12 bits, ST4 port, improved electronics (reduced noise, electrostatic discharge protection, partial power-off to avoid thermal noise during long exposures), two-year warranty. For solar system including distant planets and small bodies, limited deep-sky. Passive cooling. Provided with 2.1-mm wide-field lens. Specific, advanced acquisition software. Colour version with removable, UV/IR rejection filter. Mono version with clear, anti-reflecting coated window.

mono: €239
color: €219 (Sept 2015)

QHYccd MiniCam5S

USB2

T2 + 31.75/1.25 + C/S lenses compatibility

200 fps max, 60 FPS at full resolution

8/12 bits, ST4 port, All-purpose, cooled version of the QHY5L-II, Peltier + fan, delta T = -35°C. Housing from the QHY5. For solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well.

Oct 2014: in beta test at QHY.

Apr 2015: Test completed, new, improved version in development.

QHYccd QHY5L-II, colour or mono

USB2

31.75/1.25 housing to be inserted in drawtube or Barlow + filter thread

30 FPS at full resolution 8 bits

8/12 bits, ST4 port, All-purpose, cooled version of the QHY5L-II, Peltier + fan, delta T = -35°C. Housing from the QHY5. For solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well.
The tiny housing moderately dissipates heat but the size is a major asset since it can reach the prime focus of any newton or refractor. The cables may escape from their socket. QHYCCD provides an file to realize a cable fixer with a 3D printer.
20-bit HDR is implemented !. See DIY Peltier mod for QHY5II-L

mono: €339
color: €228 (July 2015)

ZWO ASI120MM (mono), ASI120MC (colour). See Deep-sky with ASI120MM / Ciel profond avec l'ASI120MM.

USB2

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

30 FPS at full resolution 12 bits, max 215 FPS

8/12 bits, ST4 port. Aluminium housing, passive cooling with possible DIY Peltier. Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread. Peltier-cooled ASI 120MM test.

DIY Peltier mod for ASI120MM
Peltier ASI120MM housing cooling (simple and efficient)
HDR not implemented. Binning 2x. Neutral (mono) or UV-IR rejection (colour) protection window. For solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well.

mono: €235 (May 2016
color: €200 (May 2016)

ZWO ASI120MM-S (mono), ASI120MC-S (colour with Aptina AR130CS)

USB3

T2 + C + 31.75/1.25

60 FPS at full resolution 12 bits, max 254 FPS

8/12 bits, ST4 port. Aluminium housing, passive cooling with possible DIY Peltier. Rear: 4xM4 threads + Kodak thread.
HDR not implemented. Binning 2x. Neutral (mono) or UV-IR rejection (colour) protection window. For solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well. 150°-field, 2.1mm lens (pretty good optical quality).

mono: €350
color: €350 (May 2016)

I-Nova PLB-Mx2 (mono / PLB-Cx (colour)

USB2

C + 31.75/1.25

28 FPS at full resolution 12 bits, 34 FPS full / 8 bits, max 200 FPS

8/12 bits, ST4 port, communication port. Aluminium housing. Bottom: Kodak thread.
HDR not implemented. Binning 2x. No protection window, UV-IR cut window for colour version.
Two additional slow readout modes for 10% less noise.
For solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well. Numerous possibilities with dedicated, sub-contracted software
Optional regulated Peltier cooling, delta T=30°C.
Optional wide-field lens.
Optional ST4 cable.

mono: €326
color: €216 (July 2015)
Cooling: available on
october 2013
november 2013
december 2013
january 2014
february 2014
march 2014
april 2014
may 26, 2014
€176 (July 2015)

Sony IMX174-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

ZWO ASI174MM (mono) / ASI174MC (colour)

USB3

T2 + 31.75/1.25 + C

128 FPS 12 bits full resolution, max 740 FPS

8/12 bits, ST4 port, aluminium housing with passive cooling, rear: four M4 + one Kodak threads. Large sensor for Moon / Sun / solar system including distant planets and small bodies.
For limited deep-sky as well.

$600 (color or mono, July 2015)

Sony IMX104-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

I-Nova PLB-MX3 (colour)

USB2?

C + 31.75/1.25?

120 FPS 12 bits full resolution?

8/10/12 bits, ST4 port, Kodak thread. Announced with possibly interchangeable , pin-compatible sensors, possibly with NIR-depleted IMX104, mono version of IMX104 ("ça existe mais vous n'avez pas accès aux informations", sic), IMX185, IMX178 ? possibly with HDR ? Also were announced 68 dB gain, S/N ratio > 43 dB, 37 MHz slow readout.

600€ basic version, planned by www.m42optic.fr on:
autumn 2012
March 2013
June 2013
end of 2013
I gave up in Sept 2014 and I purchased an ASI120MM. At now (7/2015) I'm beta testing an ASI224MC.

Point Grey backfly pg_bfly-pge-14s2c-cs

Gigabit Ethernet

C/S

60 FPS

8/12 bits. 2x more sensitive than IMX035. Low noise, performing, affordable, basic deep-sky imaging. Compatible with Firecapture.
Requires a GigE interfrace + power supply

$295 (July 2014)

Sony ICX618-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

I-Nova PLA-Mx (mono)

USB2

C + 31.75/1.25

62 FPS full resolution

8/12 bits, ST4 port, Kodak thread. Two slow-readout modes. Communication port. Ascom. Produces heat, that's normal.

€400 (July 2015)

DMK 21AU618.AS (mono)

USB 2.0

C/CS

62 FPS

No ST4 port, 8-bit output. Also available in Firewire and Gigabit Ethernet. Produces heat, that's normal.

€480 (July 2015)

Basler acA640-100gm

USB3

C

122 FPS, max 300 FPS

No ST4 port, 8/12 bits. Very quick. Produces heat, that's normal.

€560 www.airylab.com (July 2014)

Celestron Skyris 618

USB3

C + 31.75/1.25

120 max

No ST4 port. 12bits only. Designed for ease-of-use, with a sturdy passive-cooling housing. This sensor is noisy with long exposures, but it's perfect for planetary imaging. ROI.

€519 (July 2014)

Sony ICX445-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

I-Nova PLB-Mx (mono version)

USB2

C + 31.75/1.25

23 FPS full resolution 12 bits

8/12 bits, ST4 port, Kodak thread. Two slow-readout modes. Communication port. Ascom. Optional ST4 cable. Optional cooling.

€590 (Jul 2015)

Atik GP

USB2

T2 + 31.75/1.25

18 FPS full, 30 FPS/8 bits

8/12 bits. No ST4 port.

€420 (Nov 2014)

Basler acA1300-30gm

USB 3

C

23 FPS

8/12bits. No ST4 port.

€700 (Jul 2014)

Celestron Skyris 445

USB 3

T2 + 31.75/1.25

30 FPS max

12 bits. No ST4 port. Sturdy aluminium housing with passive cooling

€674 (July 2014)

Sony ICX267-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

QHYCCD IMG1S

USB 2

C

14 FPS full, 25 FPS max

ST4 port. 8/14 bits, active cooling delta T=30°C. 12MHz and 24MHz readout modes. Planets and deep-sky.
Same sensor as the Point Grey Flea 3 FL3-FW-14S3M/C

€740 (Jul 2014)

Sony ICX274-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

Celestron SKyris 274

C + 31.75/1.25

USB 3

30

12 bits only. Very interesting compared to the rather expensive Skynix 2-2. No ST4 port. Equipped with a good, classic CCD sensor, with wide field-of-view but the sensitivity is not up-to-date. Designed for ease-of-use, with a sturdy passive-cooling frame. The Skyris (ICap software) does not allow slow readout mode nor active cooling, therefore the longest, 30-second exposure may provide somewhat noisy images. ROI.

€920 (Jul 2014)

Sony ICX687-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

Point Grey Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-28S4M-C

C

USB 3

36 FPS

8 bits, no ST4 port. Flycapture, Windows 8 and Ubuntu 12.04 drivers.

1350€ www.edmundoptics.com (Jul 2014)

E2V EV76C560-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

Point Grey Flea3 FL3-U3-13E4M-C

C

USB3

60 FPS

8/10 bits. No ST4 port. Max exposure 1 second.

725$ www.edmundoptics.com (Jul 2014), or contact www.airylab.com (France)

E2V EV76C661-equipped cameras

IDS uEye 3240CP-NIR

C

USB3

120 FPS

8/10 bits. No ST4 port. Max exposure 1 second. Genika Astro acquisition software developped by AiryLabs.

1080€ (Jul 2014) www.airylab.com

Sony IMX035-equipped cameras

Camera

Bus

Thread

FPS

Remarks

Price

QHYCCD IMG132E

T2 + 31.75/1.25

USB 2

25 FPS

8 bits. No ST4 port. Relatively low noise, good performance, affordable, easy-to-use, basic deep-sky imaging. Brought the first questions about going on with filter wheels...

355€ (Jul 2014)

Cette liste ne montre que quelques caméras représentatives et adaptées à la photo planétaire. D'autres existent, comme par exemple:

• Skynyx chez www.lumenera.com
• Ximea chez www.ximea.com
• FOCulus ou 3ICube chez http://www.net-gmbh.com/
• Sentech chez http://www.sentechamerica.com
• la série Manta chez http://www.alliedvisiontec.com

En général, les images couleurs s'obtiennent avec une caméra monochrome et 3 prises de vues avec des filtres colorés (et une roue à filtres).

Usually, one takes color images with a monochrome camera and three shoots through color filters (and a filter wheel).

Et la couleur? Moins sensible (-15% à 30%), moins de résolution (environ -40%), c'est bien pour les débutant(e)s, ou celles/ceux qui veulent filmer les éclipses sur Jupiter sans flou de bougé. Capacité d'initiation à la longue pose en prime.

What about colour imaging? Less sensitive (-15% to -30%), less resolution (roughly -40%), that's good for beginners, or those who want to shoot eclipses on Jupiter without motion blurring. Ability to basic deep-sky imaging.