Professional color astronomical imaging camera featuring the Sony IMX678 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, delivering exceptional infrared sensitivity and ultra-low read noise for advanced planetary, lunar, and solar photography.
The G3M678C camera possesses an exceptionally strong capability to capture infrared light with a high QE value at 850nm. It also has a large full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise among other advantages. This results in outstanding performance in planetary photography, as well as in solar and lunar photography.
The G3M678C features the Sony IMX678 color sensor with exceptional infrared sensitivity. With a remarkable G sensitivity of 3637mv at 1/30s and high QE value at 850nm, this camera excels in capturing not only visible light details but also near-infrared information. The 8.3-megapixel resolution with 2μm pixels provides the perfect balance between resolution and sensitivity for demanding astronomical imaging applications.
The IMX678 sensor offers exceptional spectral response across a broad range from visible light through near-infrared wavelengths. This extended sensitivity makes it ideal for capturing atmospheric details on planets that are more prominent in specific wavelengths, particularly in the infrared spectrum where atmospheric transparency is often better.
The G3M678C features native 12-bit ADC providing 4096 levels of tonal gradation, ensuring smooth transitions and preserving subtle details in your astronomical images. The camera also offers 16-bit output mode for enhanced dynamic range processing. With support for hardware ROI, smaller regions of interest enable even higher frame rates for targeted imaging.
| Resolution | 16-bit Output | 8-bit Output | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB3.0 | USB2.0 | USB3.0 | USB2.0 | |
| 3840 × 2160 | 23.4 | 2.5 | 47 | 4.8 |
| 1920 × 1080 | 68.1 | 7.9 | 71.4 | 7.9 |
Unit: Frames Per Second (FPS)
Equipped with USB 3.0 high-speed interface and 512MB DDR3 high-speed buffer, the camera helps maintain the stability of data transmission and effectively reduces amp-glow caused by image data buffering. The advanced buffer system ensures stable and smooth data transmission even at the maximum 47 FPS capture rate at full resolution, enabling uninterrupted imaging sessions during critical atmospheric conditions.
The G3M678C supports digital pixel binning from 1×1 to 8×8 (stacking or averaging methods) and hardware pixel binning from 1×1 to 2×2 (averaging method). Hardware pixel binning is much faster than software binning and provides higher frame rates while improving signal-to-noise ratio, particularly beneficial when imaging through poor atmospheric conditions or when capturing fast-moving features.
The G3M678C supports HCG (High Conversion Gain) and LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode switching. HCG mode optimizes low-light performance, achieving ultra-low read noise of 0.42e⁻ for capturing faint planetary details. LCG mode provides a large full well capacity of 11.6ke⁻, suitable for bright targets. This flexibility allows you to optimize the camera's performance for various imaging conditions.
The G3M678C achieves "zero amp-glow" at the hardware level. Whether using long exposures or high gain settings, your imaging results remain pure and clear without unwanted thermal noise interference. This is particularly important for capturing faint details in planetary imaging where signal purity is paramount.
The exceptional infrared sensitivity extends imaging possibilities beyond traditional visible light wavelengths.
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) |
16-bit: 23.4 FPS @ 3840×2160 8-bit: 47 FPS @ 3840×2160 |
|---|---|
| Read Noise | 0.42e⁻ (HCG mode) - 2.43e⁻ (LCG mode) |
| Full Well Capacity | 11.6ke⁻ |
| Peak Quantum Efficiency | >83% |
| Dynamic Range | 74 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 41 dB |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 150× |
| Sensor | Sony IMX678 Color Back-Illuminated CMOS |
|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 8.3 Megapixels (3840×2160) |
| Pixel Size | 2μm × 2μm |
| Sensor Format | 1/1.8-inch (8.47mm diagonal) |
| Image Area | 7.7mm × 4.3mm |
| Color Type | Color (Bayer Pattern) |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| ADC Bit Depth | 12-bit |
| DDR3 Buffer | 512MB (4Gb) |
| 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 | 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 G3M678C supports HCG (High Conversion Gain) and LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode switching. Configure these modes freely according to your imaging needs to optimize dynamic range and noise performance for different celestial targets.
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode
HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode is optimized for low-light astrophotography. The chart shows performance at different gain settings where read noise can be as low as 0.42e⁻, perfect for capturing faint planetary details and dark lunar regions. While the full well capacity is reduced to 2.6ke⁻, the extremely low read noise makes it ideal for lucky imaging of dim celestial objects.
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode
LCG (Low Conversion Gain) mode provides larger full well capacity (11.6ke⁻), 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 excellent performance with read noise as low as 2.43e⁻ while preserving the ability to capture bright details without saturation.
The G3M series body, made from tough alloy, ensures a heavy-duty, workhorse solution. The camera is designed with high-quality IR-CUT or AR coating to protect the camera sensor and block IR elimination while maximizing light transmission. With no moving parts included, these measures ensure a rugged, robust solution with an increased lifespan when compared to other astronomical camera solutions.
