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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.
QHYCCD QHY5III485C Color

QHYCCD QHY5III485C Color

by QHYCCD
SKU QHY-110085
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$399.00
$399.00 - $399.00
$399.00
$359.00
$359.00 - $359.00
$359.00
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  • 8.4 Megapixel Sony IMX485 Color BSI Sensor
  • Large 1/1.2-inch Sensor Format
  • 2.9μm Pixel Size
  • 44 FPS at Full 3864x2180 Resolution
  • 128MB DDR II Image Buffer
  • Extremely Low 0.77e- Read Noise
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • QHYCCD QHY5III485C Color Planetary & Guide Camera

    The QHYCCD QHY5III485C leverages the large 1/1.2-inch Sony IMX485 back-illuminated sensor to deliver an expansive field of view for planetary and lunar imaging. Its 8.4 Megapixel resolution and 2.9μm pixels capture fine detail, while the camera's architecture achieves an impressively low read noise of 0.77e-. With a full-frame capture rate of 44 FPS and a 128MB DDR II buffer, the QHY5III485C ensures smooth, drop-free video streams essential for high-resolution lucky imaging.

    The 8.4MP Sony IMX485 Sensor: High-Resolution Lunar and Planetary Imaging

    At the heart of the QHY5III485C is Sony's IMX485, a large-format color CMOS sensor with a 3864x2180 pixel array. This 1/1.2-inch sensor provides a significantly wider field of view than typical planetary cameras, allowing you to capture the entire lunar disc with shorter focal length instruments or fit Jupiter and its Galilean moons in a single frame. The 2.9μm pixels offer excellent resolution for a wide range of telescope focal ratios.

    The sensor's back-illuminated (BSI) design and extremely low read noise, as low as 0.77e-, maximize sensitivity to faint planetary details like subtle Martian albedo features or delicate structures in Jupiter's cloud bands. A full well capacity of 12ke- provides ample dynamic range to prevent bright regions from saturating while capturing faint adjacent details.

    44 FPS Capture with a 128MB DDR Buffer for Flawless Lucky Imaging

    Successful planetary imaging depends on freezing moments of atmospheric stability, a technique known as "lucky imaging," which requires high frame rates. The QHY5III485C captures full 8.4-megapixel frames at 44 FPS over its USB 3.0 interface. For smaller targets, Region of Interest (ROI) speeds increase dramatically, reaching up to 190 FPS for a 480-line window.

    To guarantee stable data transfer without dropped frames—a common issue that can ruin an imaging run—QHY includes a 128MB DDR II memory buffer. This onboard buffer ensures a consistent data stream to your computer, even if the system is momentarily busy with other tasks, resulting in smooth and complete video files every time.

    Flexible Connectivity: 12mm Back Focus, C/CS Mounts, and ST-4 Guiding

    The QHY5III485C is designed for broad compatibility with your existing equipment. It fits standard 1.25-inch focusers and accessories, and also includes C-mount and CS-mount threads for direct attachment to lenses or specialized optical systems. The fixed 12mm back focal length provides a known, repeatable distance for integrating accessories like filter drawers.

    Beyond its primary role as a planetary imager, the camera includes a custom ST-4 guide port. This dual-purpose design allows you to use the QHY5III485C's high sensitivity and low noise as a premium autoguider for long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography, making it a valuable tool for multiple imaging disciplines.

    QHY5III485C vs. ZWO ASI485MC: A Head-to-Head Comparison

    Both the QHY5III485C and ZWO ASI485MC are built around the excellent Sony IMX485 sensor, offering nearly identical imaging potential in terms of resolution, pixel size, and sensitivity. The decision between them often comes down to specific system requirements and hardware features.

    • Back Focus: The ZWO ASI485MC offers dual back focus options of 6.5mm and 17.5mm, providing more flexibility for complex imaging trains. The QHY5III485C has a fixed back focus of 12mm, offering simplicity and repeatability.
    • Image Buffer: The QHY5III485C includes a 128MB DDR II buffer. The ZWO ASI485MC typically features a larger 512MB DDR3 buffer, which may offer an advantage on systems with very high USB bus traffic.
    • Software Ecosystem: Your choice may depend on your preferred capture software. Both cameras are supported by major third-party applications like FireCapture and SharpCap, but each manufacturer also offers its own native software suite.

  • What makes the QHY5III485C a good choice for planetary imaging?

    The QHY5III485C combines a high-resolution 8.4 Megapixel sensor with a fast 44 FPS frame rate and a large 1/1.2-inch format. This combination allows you to capture incredibly detailed, wide-field views of targets like Jupiter and the Moon, while the high speed is critical for "lucky imaging" to overcome atmospheric turbulence.

    How will the QHY5III485C's 1/1.2-inch sensor help when imaging the Moon with an 8" SCT?

    With a typical 8" f/10 SCT, the QHY5III485C's large sensor can capture a much larger portion of the lunar surface in a single frame compared to smaller-chip cameras. This means you can create a full mosaic of the Moon with significantly fewer panels to capture and stitch together, saving you time both at the telescope and during processing.

    What is the purpose of the 128MB DDR buffer in the QHY5III485C?

    The 128MB DDR II buffer is onboard memory that temporarily stores image frames before they are sent to the computer via USB 3.0. This prevents frames from being lost if your computer's USB bus or hard drive is temporarily busy. It ensures a smooth, stable video stream, which is essential for capturing high-quality data without gaps.

    Can I use the QHY5III485C to guide my telescope for deep-sky imaging of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    Yes. The QHY5III485C is equipped with a custom ST-4 guide port. Its high sensitivity and low read noise make it an excellent autoguider. You can connect it to your mount via the guide port and use software like PHD2 to achieve precise tracking for long-exposure images of faint targets like M31.

    What do the C-mount and CS-mount options on the QHY5III485C allow me to do?

    The C and CS-mount threads allow you to connect the QHY5III485C directly to C/CS-mount lenses, which are common in machine vision and security. This is useful for all-sky imaging, meteor capture, or wide-field video astronomy without a telescope. The 12mm back focus is designed to be compatible with these standards.

    Is the QHY5III485C suitable for long-exposure deep-sky imaging?

    While it can take exposures up to 900 seconds, the QHY5III485C is an uncooled camera. On long exposures, thermal noise will build up and can overwhelm faint signals from nebulae and galaxies. It is primarily designed for high-frame-rate, short-exposure imaging of bright solar system objects.

  • Sensor Sony IMX485 Color BSI CMOS
    Sensor Size 1/1.2 inch
    Effective Pixels 8.4 Megapixels (3864 x 2180)
    Pixel Size 2.9μm x 2.9μm
    Full Well Capacity 12,000e-
    Read Noise 0.77e- to 2.4e-
    ADC 12-bit (output as 16-bit and 8-bit)
    Image Buffer 128MB DDR II Memory
    Max Frame Rate (Full) 44 FPS @ 8-bit
    ROI Frame Rates Up to 190 FPS @ 480 lines
    Exposure Time Range 11μs - 900s
    Shutter Type Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Computer Interface USB 3.0 Type-B
    Guide Port Custom ST-4
    Telescope Interface 1.25-inch, CS-Mount, C-Mount
    Optical Window IR-Cut Filter
    Back Focal Length 12mm
    Weight 90g
  • QHYCCD Warranty