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Planetary & Solar Cameras

Planetary imaging works differently from deep-sky imaging. Instead of long exposures, you record thousands of very short frames as video, then software picks the sharpest moments when the atmosphere was steady and stacks them. A fast, sensitive camera with small pixels is what makes this technique work.

We carry planetary and solar cameras from ZWO, Player One (Mars, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Apollo), QHYCCD QHY5III, SVBONY, iOptron iCAM and Celestron NexImage. Many also serve as excellent guide cameras.

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$499.00 USD - $499.00 USD
$499.00 USD
$499.00 USD - $499.00 USD
$499.00 USD

Player One Apollo-M IMX174 Mono Solar Camera

Features the 2.3MP Sony IMX174 monochrome CMOS sensor Global shutter design eliminates motion artifacts from atmospheric turbulence Achieves a max...

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$499.00 USD - $499.00 USD
$499.00 USD
$499.00 USD - $499.00 USD
$499.00 USD
$399.00 USD - $399.00 USD
$399.00 USD
$399.00 USD - $399.00 USD
$399.00 USD

Player One Apollo-M MINI IMX429 Mono Solar Camera

2.8 Megapixel SONY IMX429 monochrome sensor 4.5μm pixels for high-resolution solar and lunar imaging Global shutter eliminates motion artifacts fr...

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$399.00 USD - $399.00 USD
$399.00 USD
$399.00 USD - $399.00 USD
$399.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD

Player One Apollo-M MAX IMX432 Mono Solar Camera

1.1" Sony IMX432 Monochrome CMOS Sensor 9µm Pixel Size 100,000 e- Full Well Capacity 126 FPS at Full Resolution (1608x1104) Global Shutter for Dis...

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$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD

Player One Mars-M IMX290 Mono Planetary Camera

Sensor: Sony IMX290 1/2.8" Mono CMOS Resolution: 1944x1096 (2.1 Megapixels) Pixel Size: 2.9µm Max Frame Rate: 136 FPS (10-bit) Read Noise: 0.98e (...

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$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$249.00 USD - $249.00 USD
$249.00 USD
$249.00 USD - $249.00 USD
$249.00 USD

Player One Mars-M II IMX462 Mono Planetary Camera

2.1 Megapixel Monochrome IMX462 Sensor 2.9μm Pixel Size 136 FPS at Full Resolution (10-bit) ≈91% Peak Quantum Efficiency 12.5mm Back Focal Length ...

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$249.00 USD - $249.00 USD
$249.00 USD
$249.00 USD - $249.00 USD
$249.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD

Player One Mars 662M Mono Planetary Camera

2.1 Megapixel Sony IMX662 monochrome sensor 108 FPS capture rate at full 1936x1100 resolution Large 54k e- full well capacity Extremely low readou...

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$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD

Player One Neptune-M IMX178 Mono Planetary Camera

6.4 Megapixel Resolution (3096 x 2078) 2.4µm Pixel Size 60 FPS at Full Resolution (10-bit) 15,000e- Full Well Capacity 1.3e Minimum Read Noise ...

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$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$269.00 USD - $269.00 USD
$269.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD

Player One Neptune-C IMX178 Color Planetary Camera

Sensor: Sony IMX178 1/1.8" Color CMOS Resolution: 6.4 MP (3096x2078) Pixel Size: 2.4µm Max Frame Rate: 60 FPS (at full resolution) Read Noise: 1.3...

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$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$179.00 USD - $179.00 USD
$179.00 USD
$279.00 USD - $279.00 USD
$279.00 USD
$279.00 USD - $279.00 USD
$279.00 USD

Player One Neptune 664C Color Planetary Camera

Adopts the 4.2MP Sony IMX664 color CMOS sensor High-speed capture at 93 FPS at full 2704x1540 resolution Readout noise down to about 0.67e at gain...

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$279.00 USD - $279.00 USD
$279.00 USD
$279.00 USD - $279.00 USD
$279.00 USD
$369.00 USD - $369.00 USD
$369.00 USD
$369.00 USD - $369.00 USD
$369.00 USD

Player One Uranus-C IMX585 Color Planetary Camera

8.3 Megapixel Sony IMX585 Color CMOS Sensor 1/1.2" Format with 12.85mm Diagonal 2.9μm Pixel Size 46 FPS at Full 3856x2180 Resolution (RAW8) Readou...

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$369.00 USD - $369.00 USD
$369.00 USD
$369.00 USD - $369.00 USD
$369.00 USD
$569.00 USD - $569.00 USD
$569.00 USD
$569.00 USD - $569.00 USD
$569.00 USD

Player One Saturn-C SQR IMX533 Color Planetary Camera

9 Mega Pixel 1-inch Square Color Sensor (Sony IMX533) 3.76µm pixels; full well extended to 73k e- 43 FPS at Full 3008x3008 Resolution 1.0e Minimum...

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$569.00 USD - $569.00 USD
$569.00 USD
$569.00 USD - $569.00 USD
$569.00 USD
$999.00 USD - $999.00 USD
$999.00 USD
$999.00 USD - $999.00 USD
$999.00 USD

Player One Apollo 428M MAX Pro Mono Cooled Solar Camera

Sony IMX428 1.1" monochrome CMOS sensor with global shutter 7.1 Megapixel resolution (3216x2208) with 4.5μm pixels High frame rate of 51 FPS at fu...

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$999.00 USD - $999.00 USD
$999.00 USD
$999.00 USD - $999.00 USD
$999.00 USD
$799.00 USD - $799.00 USD
$799.00 USD
$799.00 USD - $799.00 USD
$799.00 USD

Player One Apollo-M MAX Pro Mono IMX432 Cooled Solar Camera

1.7 Megapixel Sony IMX432 Mono Sensor Large 9µm Pixel Size Massive 100k e- Full Well Capacity Global Shutter for Distortion-Free Imaging 126 FPS a...

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$799.00 USD - $799.00 USD
$799.00 USD
$799.00 USD - $799.00 USD
$799.00 USD
$275.00 USD - $275.00 USD
$275.00 USD
$275.00 USD - $275.00 USD
$275.00 USD

iOptron iCAM462C Planetary Camera

Sony IMX462 Color CMOS Sensor 2.1 Megapixel Resolution (1944 x 1096) 2.9µm Pixel Size Up to 136 FPS Frame Rate USB 3.0 and ST-4 Ports Descripti...

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$275.00 USD - $275.00 USD
$275.00 USD
$275.00 USD - $275.00 USD
$275.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD

QHYCCD QHY5III174C Color

The QHY5-III series cameras are USB3 super-speed cameras and guiders. They can be used in a standard 1.25-inch eyepiece holder and have an adjusta...

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$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$599.00 USD - $599.00 USD
$599.00 USD
$219.95 USD - $219.95 USD
$219.95 USD
$219.95 USD - $219.95 USD
$219.95 USD

Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP)

5.0 Megapixel color CMOS sensor 2.2 micron square pixels for high-resolution sampling Frame rates from 0.71 up to 52.37 FPS Standard 1.25" barrel ...

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$219.95 USD - $219.95 USD
$219.95 USD
$219.95 USD - $219.95 USD
$219.95 USD

What Makes a Good Planetary Camera

  • High frame rate: More frames per second means more chances to catch moments of good seeing. USB 3.0 and a region of interest help.
  • Small pixels: 2 to 3 µm pixels let you reach the right image scale with less Barlow magnification.
  • Low read noise: Short exposures mean little signal per frame, so low read noise is essential.
  • Colour or mono: Colour cameras are simplest for Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Mono with filters gives more detail, and is the best choice for the Moon, the Sun and infrared or methane imaging.

Matching the Camera to Your Telescope

A common rule is a focal ratio of about 5 times the pixel size in microns. With 2.9 µm pixels, that is around f/15. An f/10 SCT then needs a 1.5x Barlow. A Barlow or telecentric brings any telescope into the right range.

What We Help With

  • Image scale: We suggest the Barlow or Powermate that suits your telescope and pixel size.
  • Filters: UV/IR cut, IR pass and methane filters each have a role. We tell you which you actually need.
  • Solar safety: For solar imaging we confirm that the filter system in front of the camera is safe and complete.

Planetary Cameras: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a planetary camera for deep-sky?

For bright targets and short exposures, yes, especially with live stacking. For long exposures, a cooled camera gives much lower noise.

Do I need a laptop?

Yes, or a controller like ASIAIR. Planetary video needs fast USB 3.0 and an SSD for high frame rates.

Which planets are best to start with?

Jupiter and Saturn are bright and forgiving. Mars is excellent near opposition. The Moon is a great practice target any month.

Ready to capture the planets?

Tell us your telescope and whether you also want to image the Sun or guide. We will recommend the camera and Barlow.