QHYCCD QHY5III678C Color Planetary & Guide Camera

Sony IMX678 Sensor: 8.4MP Resolution and 2.0µm Pixels

At the core of the QHY5III678C is Sony's back-illuminated IMX678 sensor, which delivers an 8.4 megapixel image over a 3856 x 2180 array. The small 2.0µm pixels provide excellent image sampling on a wide range of telescopes, allowing you to resolve fine details in Jupiter's cloud bands or delicate lunar rilles. The sensor's low read noise, ranging from just 0.57e- to 3.3e-, combined with a 9ke- full well capacity gives clean, well-exposed planetary frames.

High-Speed Capture: 43 FPS at 8-bit with a 512MB DDR3 Buffer

Planetary imaging relies on capturing thousands of frames in a short window to freeze atmospheric turbulence. The QHY5III678C is built for this task, streaming full 8.4MP frames at 43 FPS in 8-bit mode. The onboard 512MB DDR3 image buffer is critical, preventing data bottlenecks and dropped frames that can ruin a capture session.

For even higher frame rates, you can use a Region of Interest (ROI) to focus only on the planet. This boosts speeds dramatically, reaching 85 FPS for a 1080-line window and up to 140 FPS for a 640-line window, ensuring you capture those fleeting moments of perfect seeing.

Enhanced NIR Sensitivity with IR-Cut and IR-850nm Filters

The IMX678 sensor features deeper photodiodes, giving it exceptional sensitivity in near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. While this color camera includes a built-in IR-cut filter to ensure correct visual-spectrum color balance for planets like Jupiter, QHY also includes an IR850 filter in the box. Imaging in the near infrared is a common way to reduce the effect of atmospheric turbulence.

Version 2 Platform: 8mm Back Focus, USB-C, and ST-4 Port

The QHY5III V2 series introduces key physical upgrades for better field reliability and compatibility. The camera body features a native 8mm back focus, making it easier to use with Off-Axis Guiders. With the included adapter the back focus is 17mm, and the adapters provide connections for 1.25-inch nosepieces, CS-mount, and C-mount lenses.

• USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C: A more robust and reliable connector than older USB types, ensuring a stable connection to your computer.
• Standard ST-4 Guide Port: The universal guide port allows for easy connection to any compatible mount and simplifies cable replacement if needed.
• Lightweight Body: The camera weighs only 90g.

QHY5III678C vs. QHY5III178C: A Generational Upgrade

The QHY5III678C is a direct successor to the popular QHY5III178C, offering significant improvements for planetary imagers. The main difference is the Sony IMX678 sensor, with 8.4 MP and 2.0µm pixels.

• Sensor: The 678C uses the 8.4 MP Sony IMX678, with deeper photodiodes for near-infrared sensitivity.
• Full Sensor Area: The camera reads the full 3856 x 2180 usable area, and BIN 4 is available in addition to BIN 2.
• 512MB DDR3 Buffer: Part of the Ver. 2 platform, it keeps high frame rate capture free of dropped frames.
• Modern Connectivity: The upgrade to a USB-C port and a standard ST-4 guide port improves reliability and makes finding replacement cables easier.