Skip to content
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.
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.
Player One Neptune-C II IMX464 Color Planetary Camera

Player One Neptune-C II IMX464 Color Planetary Camera

by Player One
SKU POA-Neptune-C-II
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 4.2 Megapixel Sony IMX464 Color Sensor
  • 9mm Sensor Diagonal (1/1.8" Format)
  • 2.9µm Pixel Size
  • 93 FPS at Full 2712x1538 Resolution
  • Read Noise as low as 0.7e
  • 12-bit ADC
Backordered
Request Stock Alert
Availability Info
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
Framing Simulator Preview
Framing Simulator Instant FOV Preview

Preview your camera's FOV

Simulate the exact field of view of the Player One Neptune-C II IMX464 Color Planetary Camera with your specific telescope.

Launch Imaging Assistant
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Player One Neptune-C II IMX464 Color Planetary Camera

    The Player One Neptune-C II camera centers its design on Sony's IMX464 sensor, delivering 4.2 megapixels of resolution across a 9mm diagonal format. Its 2.9µm pixels and 12k e full well capacity are optimized for capturing fine details on planetary surfaces. At a full resolution of 2712x1538, the Neptune-C II sustains a capture rate of 93 FPS, while its low-noise architecture achieves a read noise floor of just 0.7e and a peak Quantum Efficiency of approximately 90%.

    Sony IMX464 Sensor: 4.2MP at a 9mm Diagonal

    The Neptune-C II employs a 1/1.8" format Sony IMX464 color sensor, a significant step up in size and resolution from smaller 1/3" class planetary imagers. With a 4.2 MP resolution of 2712x1538 and a 9mm diagonal, this sensor provides a larger field of view to easily frame Jupiter with its Galilean moons or capture expansive lunar surface mosaics. The 2.9µm pixel size offers a sharp image scale on Schmidt-Cassegrains and other long-focal-length telescopes typically used for high-magnification planetary work.

    0.7e Read Noise and 90% QE: Capturing Low-Contrast Detail

    Success in planetary imaging depends on pulling faint, low-contrast features out of the noise. The Neptune-C II's sensor architecture achieves a peak Quantum Efficiency of approximately 90% and a read noise that drops from 2.9e to an exceptionally low 0.7e. This camera features an HCG (High Conversion Gain) mode that automatically activates at a gain setting of 83 or higher, drastically reducing read noise without sacrificing dynamic range. This combination ensures that subtle details like Jupiter's cloud bands and Martian dust features are cleanly captured.

    93 FPS at Full Resolution with Onboard DDR3 Cache

    To freeze atmospheric turbulence, high-speed capture is essential. The Neptune-C II delivers 93 FPS at its full 4.2MP resolution over a USB 3.0 connection. For even faster rates, you can use a smaller region of interest (ROI) to achieve up to 299 FPS at 640x480. Player One includes a DDR3 cache to ensure stable, drop-free data transmission at these high speeds, preventing corrupted frames and reducing the computational load on your capture computer.

    Advanced Imaging Tools: DPS, Tilt Plate, and IR Sensitivity

    The Neptune-C II incorporates several features for advanced imagers. Onboard Dead Pixel Suppression (DPS) technology analyzes dark frames to create an internal map of abnormal pixels, correcting them in every frame you capture. For solar imagers, a built-in sensor tilt plate allows you to adjust the focal plane to eliminate distracting Newton's rings. The IMX464 sensor also possesses strong infrared sensitivity, making it highly effective with IR-pass filters to enhance contrast and cut through atmospheric seeing for sharper lunar and planetary images.

    Neptune-C II (IMX464) vs. IMX462 & IMX178 Sensors

    The IMX464 sensor in the Neptune-C II offers a distinct set of advantages over other popular planetary sensors.

    • vs. IMX462-based cameras: While both sensors share exceptional sensitivity and low read noise, the IMX464 provides double the resolution (4.2MP vs. 2.1MP) and a significantly larger 1/1.8" sensor format. This gives you a wider field of view and more imaging real estate.
    • vs. IMX178-based cameras: The Neptune-C II's 2.9µm pixels are larger than the 2.4µm pixels of the IMX178, giving each pixel a greater light-gathering area for improved sensitivity. More importantly, the Neptune-C II achieves a much higher frame rate at full resolution (93 FPS vs. ~60 FPS), allowing you to capture more frames in the same period of stable seeing.

  • What makes the Player One Neptune-C II's IMX464 sensor good for planetary imaging?

    The IMX464 provides an ideal combination of specifications for planetary work. Its 4.2MP resolution and 2.9µm pixels resolve fine detail on typical f/10 telescopes, while the 9mm diagonal offers a generous field of view. Critically, its ≈90% QE and read noise as low as 0.7e ensure maximum sensitivity for capturing low-contrast atmospheric features.

    How does the DDR3 cache in the Neptune-C II improve my imaging sessions?

    The DDR3 cache acts as a high-speed buffer, ensuring stable data transfer from the camera to your computer, especially at high frame rates like 93 FPS. This prevents dropped frames, which can ruin a capture sequence, and reduces read noise by ensuring a clean data stream. It also makes the camera less demanding on your computer's resources.

    Can I use the Player One Neptune-C II for solar imaging?

    Yes, with a dedicated and safe solar telescope or filter. The Neptune-C II is well-suited for solar imaging due to its high frame rates, which help counteract daytime atmospheric turbulence. It also includes a built-in sensor tilt plate, allowing you to adjust the sensor's angle to eliminate Newton's rings, a common artifact in solar imaging.

    What is the benefit of the Neptune-C II's low 0.7e read noise?

    Read noise is the electronic noise introduced when the sensor's signal is read out. A very low read noise of 0.7e means that extremely faint details are not lost in the electronic background noise of the camera. This is crucial for capturing subtle cloud variations on Jupiter, faint festoons on Saturn, or delicate features within lunar rilles.

    How will the Neptune-C II perform on Jupiter with an 8" SCT at f/10?

    The Neptune-C II is an excellent match for an 8" SCT. The camera's 2.9µm pixels will provide a well-sampled image scale for resolving details in the Great Red Spot and major cloud bands. The high frame rate of 93 FPS (and higher with ROI) will allow you to run very short exposures, effectively freezing moments of good seeing and maximizing the data you can capture during Jupiter's rapid rotation.

    Is the Neptune-C II a good choice for high-resolution lunar mosaics with a 120mm refractor?

    Absolutely. The 4.2MP resolution and 9mm diagonal sensor provide a wide enough field to capture large sections of the lunar surface in each panel, reducing the total number of panes needed for a full mosaic. The camera's high sensitivity and low noise will excel at capturing the subtle gray tones and fine details along the terminator of the Moon.

  • Sensor SONY IMX464 1/1.8" Color CMOS
    Resolution 4.2 MP (2712×1538)
    Pixel Size 2.9µm
    Sensor Dimensions 7.9mm × 4.5mm
    Sensor Diagonal 9mm
    Peak QE ≈90%
    Readout Noise 2.9e ~ 0.7e
    Full Well Capacity 12k e
    ADC 12-bit
    Shutter Type Rolling shutter
    Exposure Range 32µs - 2000s
    Frame Rate 93 FPS at 2712×1538
    Frame Rate (ROI) 105 FPS @ 2560x1440
    138 FPS @ 1920x1080
    204 FPS @ 1280x720
    299 FPS @ 640x480
    Data Port USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
    Mounting Adapter 1.25″ / M42 x 0.75
    Back Focal Length 12.5mm
    Protective Window D21 x 1.1mm AR Plus Coated
    Diameter 66mm
    Weight 180g
  • Player One 2-Year Warranty