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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP)
Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP)

Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP)

by Celestron
SKU CEL-93711
$219.95 - $219.95
$219.95
$219.95 - $219.95
$219.95
Price Match Policy!
  • 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 and C-thread mounting
  • Powered via a single USB 2.0 cable
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Simulate the exact field of view of the Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP) with your specific telescope.

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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager (5MP)

    The Celestron NexImage 5 Solar System Imager pairs a 5.0 MP color CMOS sensor with a native resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels to capture high-resolution images of the Moon, Sun, and planets. Its 2.2 micron square pixels and 12-bit A/D conversion are ideal for resolving fine details, while frame rates of up to 52.37 FPS allow you to freeze moments of perfect atmospheric seeing for the sharpest possible results.

    5.0 Megapixels and 2.2µm Pixels for High-Resolution Planetary Detail

    At the heart of the NexImage 5 is a 5.0 MP onsemi MT9P031 CMOS sensor that provides enough resolution to capture the entire disk of Jupiter or Saturn with room to spare. The small 2.2µm pixels are an excellent match for the long focal lengths of Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes, ensuring you can sample fine atmospheric details like Jupiter's cloud bands or the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings without needing an aggressive Barlow lens.

    The sensor's physical size of 5.7mm x 4.28mm is optimized for planetary work, keeping file sizes manageable and centering the target on the chip. While this makes it unsuitable for wide-field deep-sky imaging, it is precisely what's needed for high-magnification views of bright solar system objects.

    Up to 52.37 FPS for Freezing Atmospheric Seeing

    The key to sharp planetary imaging is "lucky imaging"—capturing hundreds or thousands of frames in a short video to catch fleeting moments of atmospheric stability. The NexImage 5 excels at this, delivering frame rates from 0.71 to 5.99 FPS at full 2592 x 1944 resolution, and up to 52.37 FPS when using hardware sub-framing to focus on a smaller region of interest.

    You simply record a short video of your target, and the included software (compatible with iCap and DirectShow) helps you analyze the video file, discard the frames blurred by turbulence, and stack only the sharpest ones. This process averages out atmospheric distortion and electronic noise, revealing a bright, clear, and detailed final image.

    USB 2.0 Power and 1.25" Mounting for Universal Compatibility

    Designed for simplicity, the NexImage 5 is powered entirely by its 5-foot USB 2.0 cable, eliminating the need for an external power supply in the field. Its extremely light weight of just 2.0 oz (57 g) ensures it won't create balancing issues, even on smaller telescope mounts. The camera body features a standard 1.25" nosepiece for direct connection to any telescope focuser or diagonal.

    • Dual Back Focus: The camera offers two back focus distances. With the 1.25" nosepiece attached, the distance is 13.1mm. By removing the nosepiece, you can access the C-threads for a shorter 10.6mm back focus, useful for custom accessory configurations.
    • Integrated IR-Cut Filter: The optical window has a built-in IR-Cut filter to ensure accurate color balance and sharpness by blocking unfocused infrared light.

  • What software do I need to use the Celestron NexImage 5?

    The Celestron NexImage 5 includes a software CD with everything you need to get started on a Windows PC, including drivers and capture software like iCap. It is also compatible with other popular freeware like SharpCap and AutoStakkert! for capture and processing. The camera uses a standard DirectShow driver for broad compatibility.

    Is the Celestron NexImage 5 a good camera for deep-sky objects?

    No, the NexImage 5 is not recommended for deep-sky imaging. Its small sensor is designed to frame planets, not large nebulae or galaxies. Furthermore, as an uncooled camera, long exposures (from 0.0001 to 30 seconds) will exhibit significant thermal noise, which would obscure faint deep-sky details.

    Does the Celestron NexImage 5 work with a Mac?

    The included software is Windows-only. While the Celestron NexImage 5 is not officially supported on macOS, some Mac users have found success using third-party software that supports standard USB webcams and planetary cameras, though functionality may be limited.

    How will the Celestron NexImage 5 perform on Jupiter with an 8" SCT?

    This is an excellent combination. An 8" f/10 SCT provides the ideal focal length to match with the NexImage 5's 2.2µm pixels for high-resolution views of Jupiter. This setup will allow you to clearly resolve the main equatorial belts, the Great Red Spot, and shadow transits of the Galilean moons, especially when using the camera's high frame rate to counteract atmospheric turbulence.

    Can I use the Celestron NexImage 5 to image the entire full Moon?

    This depends on your telescope's focal length. With a short focal length refractor, you may be able to fit the entire lunar disk in the 2592 x 1944 frame. However, with a longer focal length instrument like an SCT or Maksutov, you will need to capture multiple videos and stitch them together into a mosaic to show the entire Moon.

    What is the benefit of the Celestron NexImage 5's 12-bit A/D conversion?

    The 12-bit Analog-to-Digital converter allows the NexImage 5 to capture 4,096 different levels of brightness. This provides much smoother tonal gradations across planetary surfaces and the lunar terminator compared to older 8-bit cameras, which are limited to just 256 levels. The result is more detail in subtle features and a more realistic final image.

  • Sensor Color onsemi MT9P031 CMOS
    Resolution 5.0 MP (2592 x 1944)
    Pixel Size 2.2µm square
    Sensor Size 5.7mm x 4.28mm
    A/D Conversion 12 bit
    Frame Rate 0.71 to 5.99 FPS (at 2592x1944)
    6.23 to 52.37 FPS (at 640x480)
    Exposure Range 0.0001 to 30 seconds
    Shutter Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Sub-Framing Hardware Selectable
    Mounting 1.25" barrel and C-thread
    Back Focus 13.1mm (with nosepiece), 10.6mm (without nosepiece)
    Optical Window IR Cutoff Filter
    Power USB 2.0
    USB Cable 5' long
    Software Compatibility iCap, IC Capture, DirectShow
    Housing ABS with aluminum connection ring
    Weight 2.0 oz (57 g)
    Operating Environment -22°F to 158°F (-30°C to 70°C)
    Recommended Use Lunar, solar, and planetary imaging

    • NexImage 5 Camera Body

      × 1

    • 1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

    • USB Cable

      × 1

    • Instruction Manual

      × 1

  • Celestron 2-Year Warranty