Professional color astronomical imaging camera featuring the Sony IMX664 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, delivering exceptional performance with triple conversion gain modes and large full well capacity for versatile astronomical applications from autoguiding to high-resolution planetary imaging.
The G3M664C camera possesses an exceptionally strong capability to capture infrared light with a high QE value at 550nm. It also has a large full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise among other advantages. The 4.08-megapixel resolution combined with 2.9μm pixels provides excellent detail capture while maintaining superior sensitivity. This results in outstanding performance in autoguiding, planetary photography, as well as in solar and lunar photography.
The G3M664C features the Sony IMX664 back-illuminated CMOS sensor with 4.08 megapixels resolution, providing significantly more detail capture capability than typical planetary cameras. Despite the higher resolution, the camera maintains exceptional sensitivity with G sensitivity of 5970 mV @ 1/30s and peak quantum efficiency exceeding 91%. This combination makes it uniquely versatile for both high-resolution planetary imaging and sensitive autoguiding applications.
The IMX664 sensor offers exceptional spectral response with particularly strong sensitivity at 550nm and excellent infrared light capture capability. The sensor's extended sensitivity across the visible and near-infrared spectrum makes it ideal for capturing atmospheric details on planets and for specialized applications requiring enhanced IR response.
The G3M664C features native 12-bit ADC providing 4096 levels of tonal gradation per color channel, ensuring smooth transitions and preserving subtle details in your astronomical images. The camera achieves impressive frame rates despite its higher resolution, delivering 91 FPS at full resolution in 8-bit mode and 45 FPS in 12-bit mode, enabling effective lucky imaging techniques.
| Resolution | 12-bit Output | 8-bit Output | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB3.0 | USB2.0 | USB3.0 | USB2.0 | |
| 2688 × 1520 | 45 | 5 | 91 | 9 |
| 1344 × 760 | 63 | 6 | 126 | 12 |
Unit: Frames Per Second (FPS)
The G3M664C features a built-in frame buffer that helps maintain the stability of data transmission and effectively reduces amp-glow caused by image data buffering. This advanced buffering system ensures that each camera can still achieve its maximum frame rate when multiple cameras are operating simultaneously, making it ideal for multi-camera setups such as combined imaging and autoguiding systems.
The G3M664C supports software binning from 1×1 to 8×8, allowing you to optimize the camera for different applications. While the frame rate does not increase due to binning, this feature enables improved signal-to-noise ratio for autoguiding applications or when imaging faint objects, effectively trading resolution for sensitivity when needed.
The G3M664C supports HCG (High Conversion Gain), LCG (Low Conversion Gain), and HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode switching. HCG mode optimizes low-light performance, achieving ultra-low read noise of 0.76e⁻ for capturing faint details. LCG mode provides a massive full well capacity of 38ke⁻, suitable for bright targets. HDR mode intelligently combines the advantages of both gain modes, achieving an exceptional dynamic range of 75.8dB in a single exposure.
The G3M664C achieves "zero amp-glow" at the hardware level. Whether using long exposures for autoguiding or high gain settings for planetary imaging, your results remain pure and clear without unwanted thermal noise interference. This is particularly important for the camera's dual role in both precision autoguiding and high-quality imaging.
The combination of high resolution, low noise, and large full well capacity makes this camera exceptionally versatile.
The camera operates entirely through USB 3.0 interface power delivery. Once connected to the host system using the USB 3.0 cable, the device is immediately ready for operation. This single-cable solution simplifies setup and reduces potential failure points in your imaging system.
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 3.0) |
12-bit: 45 FPS @ 2688×1520 8-bit: 91 FPS @ 2688×1520 |
|---|---|
| Read Noise | 0.76e⁻ (HCG mode) - 2.61e⁻ (LCG mode) |
| Full Well Capacity | 38ke⁻ |
| Peak Quantum Efficiency | >91% |
| Dynamic Range | 75.8 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 45.8 dB |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 500× |
| Sensor | Sony IMX664 Color Back-Illuminated CMOS |
|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 4.08 Megapixels (2688×1520) |
| Pixel Size | 2.9μm × 2.9μm |
| Sensor Format | 1/1.8-inch (9.02mm diagonal) |
| Image Area | 7.84mm × 4.45mm |
| Color Type | Color (Bayer Pattern) |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| ADC Bit Depth | 12-bit |
| Frame Buffer | Built-in |
| Spectral Range | 380-690nm (with IR-cut filter) |
| Data Interface | USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Camera Adapter | Standard 1.25" outer diameter for telescope Standard C adapter for industrial lens |
| Back Focus Distance | 8.5mm (native) 17.5mm with C adapter 12.5mm with CS adapter |
| Camera Dimensions | Diameter 37mm × Height 72.4mm |
| Weight | 70 grams |
| Cooling | Passive cooling |
| Supported OS | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 Mac OS X, Linux |
| SDK Support | Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc. |
The G3M664C supports HCG (High Conversion Gain), LCG (Low Conversion Gain), and HDR mode switching. Configure these modes freely according to your imaging needs to optimize dynamic range and noise performance for different celestial targets and applications.
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode
HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode is optimized for low-light astrophotography and precision autoguiding. The chart shows performance at different gain settings where read noise can be as low as 0.76e⁻, perfect for detecting faint guide stars and capturing subtle planetary details. While the full well capacity is reduced to 4.0ke⁻, the extremely low read noise makes it ideal for autoguiding and lucky imaging of dim celestial objects.
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode
LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode provides exceptional full well capacity (38ke⁻), suitable for imaging high dynamic range celestial objects. This mode excels when photographing bright targets like the solar surface, lunar highlands, or bright planets such as Jupiter and Venus. The mode maintains good performance with read noise as low as 2.67e⁻ at optimal settings while preserving the ability to capture bright details without saturation.
The HDR mode intelligently combines the advantages of both HCG and LCG modes, achieving the exceptional 75.8dB dynamic range. This mode is particularly suitable for capturing targets with extreme brightness differences or for autoguiding on fields with both bright and faint stars.
The G3M series body, made from tough alloy, ensures a heavy-duty, workhorse solution. The camera is designed with high-quality IR-CUT filter to protect the camera sensor and block IR while eliminating reflection light. With no moving parts included, these measures ensure a rugged, robust solution with an increased lifespan when compared to other astronomical camera solutions.
