QHYCCD QHY533C Color

Sony's IMX533: A 9 MP, 1-inch Square BSI Sensor

At the core of the QHY533C is Sony's 1-inch format IMX533 sensor, with a square 3008 x 3028 pixel array, 9 Megapixels and 3.76µm pixels.

The sensor's back-side illuminated (BSI) architecture places the wiring layer behind the photosensitive layer. This design removes obstructions from the light path, maximizing the quantum efficiency and allowing the sensor to capture faint signals from distant celestial objects with high sensitivity.

14-bit ADC, 58ke- Full Well, and 1.3e- Read Noise

The QHY533C digitizes images with a 14-bit Analog-to-Digital converter, providing over 16,000 levels of gray to distinguish subtle tonal variations in nebulosity and galactic dust lanes. This is paired with a very large full well capacity of 58,000 electrons, allowing you to take longer sub-exposures without clipping the bright cores of objects like the Orion Nebula (M42) or the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

Read noise is 1.3e- to 3.4e-. The low noise floor makes it easier to pull faint details out of the background during processing.

Nearly Zero Amp Glow for Cleaner 3600s Exposures

The QHY533C has nearly zero amplifier glow. Amplifier glow appears as faint illumination in the corners of long exposures; with little of it, raw frames are more uniform across the exposure range up to 3600s.

This clean signal foundation simplifies your processing workflow. Your dark frames mainly remove thermal signal rather than a glow pattern.

2-Stage TEC Cooling to -35°C Below Ambient

A regulated, two-stage thermoelectric (TEC) cooler aggressively combats thermal noise by chilling the sensor to a stable -35°C below the ambient temperature. This consistency is vital for creating an accurate dark frame library, as it ensures the thermal signal remains constant across your imaging sessions. At a sensor temperature of -20°C, the dark current is a mere 0.0005 e-/pixel/sec.

To protect the sensor from condensation during cooling, the QHY533C features a built-in anti-dew heater on the optical window. The sensor chamber has plugged holes near the front plate where the included desiccant tube can be connected to dry it if moisture appears (you may need to supply the desiccant).

1GB DDR3 Buffer for 20 FPS Frame Rates

The camera captures full-resolution 16-bit frames at 20 FPS. To ensure this data is transferred reliably without dropped frames, the QHY533C includes a 1GB DDR3 image buffer. This onboard memory caches image data before it is sent to the computer via the USB 3.0 interface, helping prevent data loss when the computer is busy.

When using a smaller region of interest (ROI), frame rates increase dramatically. For example, by selecting a 240-line ROI, the camera can achieve capture rates up to 215 FPS in 16-bit mode or 280 FPS in 8-bit mode.

A 17mm Back Focus with M48 Adapter Compatibility

The QHY533C has a 17mm (±0.2mm) back focal distance, and the telescope interface is M42 or M48 (with adapter).

QHYCCD includes Adapter Kit E1, which connects directly to an M48 corrector that needs 55mm back focus, or to a Nikon or Canon DSLR lens with a separately purchased DSLR lens adapter. QHYCCD also supplies a C-mount thread for the QHY533C.

QHY533C vs. QHY533M: One-Shot Color vs. Monochrome

The QHY533 series is available in both color (QHY533C) and monochrome (QHY533M) versions. The primary difference lies in the imaging workflow and mechanical interface, tailored for different user needs.

• QHY533C (Color): Ideal for users who want a streamlined imaging process. You capture full-color images in a single shot without the need for filters or a filter wheel. It has a 17mm back focal distance and comes with Adapter Kit E1.
• QHY533M (Monochrome): Offers higher sensitivity and the flexibility to shoot through LRGB and narrowband filters for advanced imaging. It has a 14mm back focal distance and connects directly to the QHYCFW3S-SR.

The QHY533C suits imagers who want color images without a filter wheel.

QHYCCD All-In-One Pack for N.I.N.A. and SharpCap

QHYCCD simplifies software setup with its All-In-One installation package, which includes all necessary drivers and plugins for popular imaging software. The pack contains the system driver, ASCOM drivers for broad compatibility, and specific SDKs for direct connection to applications like N.I.N.A. and SharpCap.

For deep-sky imaging, you can connect the QHY533C to software like N.I.N.A. using either the native QHY driver or the ASCOM driver. SharpCap is included in QHYCCD's All-In-One Pack, and QHYCCD's guide shows its debayer preview and white balance controls. QHYCCD also provides its own capture software, EZCAP_QT, for camera tests and update management.

12V DC Power with Under-Voltage Protection

The QHY533C requires a stable 12V DC power supply (rated for 11V to 13.8V) to operate the camera and its two-stage TEC cooler. The camera includes a locking power cable to prevent accidental disconnection during an imaging session. A compatible 12V power adapter is also supplied in the box.

To protect the camera's electronics, the QHY533C features Under Voltage Lock-Out (UVLO) protection. If the input voltage drops below 11V the camera warns, turns off the cooler and then limits cooler power to 70% until the state is reset in EZCAP_Qt. Use an adapter of at least 12V and 4A and a low-resistance cable.