QHYCCD QHY183C Color

20 MP Sony IMX183 BSI Sensor: High Resolution with 2.4μm Pixels

At the core of the QHY183C is Sony's 1-inch format IMX183 sensor, which delivers a resolution of 5544 x 3684 across a 15.99mm diagonal. The small 2.4μm pixels give fine sampling at short and moderate focal lengths, and the QHY183 suits both planetary and deep-sky imaging.

The sensor's back-illuminated (BSI) structure improves quantum efficiency by moving the metal wiring layer behind the photodiodes. This design choice maximizes the light-gathering area of each pixel, ensuring more photons are converted into signal.

Low-Noise Architecture: 1.0e- Read Noise and 15,500 e- Full Well

The QHY183C is engineered for clean, low-noise performance across a range of applications. At its lowest gain setting, it provides a read noise of 2.7e- and gives you access to the full 15,500 e- well capacity, . As you increase the gain, the read noise drops to 1.0e-.

The camera reaches unity gain at a gain setting of 10. At this setting, one electron of signal corresponds to one ADU in the output, providing a balanced profile of read noise and dynamic range.

12-bit ADC and Dedicated Anti-Amp-Glow Control

The QHY183C uses a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) to digitize the signal from the sensor, which can be output as either 8-bit files for high-speed planetary video or 16-bit files for deep-sky imaging to preserve subtle tonal gradations. This 12-bit depth provides 4,096 levels of signal, ensuring smooth transitions in your images.

The QHY183C has anti-glow control, which reduces amplifier glow in long exposures; remaining glow is removed with dark frames.

-40°C Cooling System with Integrated Anti-Dew Heater

Effective thermal management is crucial for long-exposure astrophotography. The QHY183C features a powerful dual-stage thermoelectric (TEC) cooling system capable of reducing the sensor's temperature to -40°C below the ambient air temperature. This aggressive cooling lowers dark current, a major source of thermal noise, to 0.0024 e-/pixel/sec when the sensor is at -15°C. This allows you to take multi-minute exposures without being overwhelmed by thermal noise.

To help prevent dew on the chamber window, heating elements are built into the light shield just above the chamber. To avoid frost inside the chamber, a desiccant tube is provided that you attach to the outside of the camera when needed to dry the chamber.

128MB DDR2 Buffer: Stable 19 FPS Data Transfer over USB 3.0

To handle the high data volume from its 20MP sensor without interruption, the QHY183C includes a 128MB DDR2 image buffer. This onboard memory acts as a temporary cache, storing frames as they come off the sensor before they are transferred to your computer. This buffer is essential for preventing dropped frames, especially when imaging at high frame rates or when your computer's resources are being used by other tasks.

The camera's frame rates are:

• Full Resolution (5544x3684): 19 FPS at 8-bit / 7.5 FPS at 12-bit
• 4K Video (4096x2160): 31 FPS at 8-bit / 12 FPS at 12-bit
• Planetary ROI (640x480): 130 FPS at 8-bit / 53 FPS at 12-bit

17.5mm Back Focus: Compatibility with Correctors and OAGs

The QHY183C connects with an M42x0.75 thread and has a 17.5mm (±0.2mm) back focal length. For one-inch sensors, pair it with the CFW3S-US filter wheel (15.5mm) and the optional OAG-S (10mm); spacers then bring the train to the back focus your corrector needs. An M42 to 1.25-inch nosepiece is included.

QHY183C vs. QHY183M: One-Shot Color vs. Monochrome Sensitivity

This QHY183C model is a one-shot color camera, offering the major advantage of simplicity. It uses a Bayer matrix over the sensor to capture red, green, and blue data simultaneously, producing a full-color image in a single exposure without the need for filters or a filter wheel.

The sibling QHY183M model uses the same sensor but in monochrome format. Without a Bayer array, every QHY183M pixel records each filtered exposure, which suits narrowband imaging (H-alpha, OIII, SII), but it needs a filter wheel and filters. The QHY183M has an AR+AR window; the QHY183C has an IR-cut window.

Software and Drivers: The QHYCCD All-In-One Ecosystem

QHYCCD provides a comprehensive All-In-One software pack that includes system drivers, ASCOM drivers, and SDKs for major third-party astrophotography applications. This ensures broad compatibility and allows you to control your QHY183C using your preferred software, including popular choices like N.I.N.A. and SharpCap.

The package also includes EZCAP_Qt, QHYCCD's own capture software. While many users control the camera through third-party software, EZCAP_Qt is the recommended tool for camera tests and update management. The camera connects to the computer via a USB 3.0 interface, and a 2-meter cable is included in the box.

Power and Physical Design: 12V DC Input and 650g Body

The QHY183C requires a 12V DC power source to run its dual-stage TEC cooler and internal electronics. A 12V power adapter and a locking power cable are included, ensuring a secure and reliable connection that won't accidentally detach during an imaging session. For proper operation, connect the 12V power supply to the camera before connecting the USB 3.0 cable to the computer.

The camera weighs 650g. An opto-isolated ST-4 guide port with an RJ11 style jack and a guiding cable are included, allowing the camera to be used as a guide camera if needed, though its primary design is for imaging.