QHYCCD QHY5III585M Mono

Sony IMX585: 3856x2180 Resolution and 2.9µm Pixels

At the core of the QHY5III585M is a 1/1.2-inch format Sony IMX585 monochrome sensor, delivering an 8.4-megapixel resolution of 3856 x 2180. The sensor measures 11.18 mm x 6.32 mm, a 12.85 mm diagonal.

In this STARVIS II generation the photodiode part of the pixel well is physically deeper, so longer wavelengths penetrate deeper into the substrate, which increases sensitivity to red and near-infrared (NIR) light. The result is approximately 1.7 times the near-infrared sensitivity of the IMX485.

52ke- Full Well and 0.77e- Read Noise

The specification table gives a 52 ke- full well and read noise from 0.77e- to 8e-. The full well is approximately three times that of the previous QHY5III485C.

• High Dynamic Range: A 52 ke- full well leaves room before bright areas saturate.
• Low Read Noise: Read noise reaches 0.77e-, with exposures from the specification table's range.
• Zero Amp Glow: The camera has zero glow, and QHY5III cameras have an amplifier glow control circuit.

512MB DDR3 Buffer: 41.5 FPS at Full Resolution

To handle the massive data stream from its 8.4 MP sensor, the QHY5III585M is equipped with a 512 MB DDR3 image buffer. The buffer reduces the transfer pressure on the computer, a help for planetary photography that writes a lot of data in a short time.

The camera can deliver 41.5 frames per second at full 3856 x 2180 resolution with 8-bit output, and 23.5 FPS at 16-bit. By using a Region of Interest (ROI), you can increase these frame rates significantly: 1080 lines at 82 FPS (8-bit) and 640 lines at 135 FPS (8-bit); after the 2025.6.13 driver update these rise to 124.5 FPS and 199 FPS at both 8-bit and 16-bit.

High-Speed Capture for Lucky Imaging

The combination of high frame rates and low read noise makes the QHY5III585M a powerful tool for "lucky imaging." The technique captures many short frames and stacks the sharpest ones, taken when the air is steadiest.

The 12-bit ADC provides 4,096 grayscale levels (output as 16-bit data); the 16-bit mode is 12-bit data with the lower bits zero-filled. For planetary shooting, set OFFSET as low as possible so that a capped image is close to 0.

ST-4 Port and High NIR Sensitivity for Guiding

QHYCCD makes the QHY5III V2 cameras planetary and guiding cameras. The standard ST-4 style guide port replaces the custom interface of earlier models, so a lost cable is easy to replace. QHYCCD's guide uses PHD guiding through ASCOM with on-camera guiding.

The included IR850nm filter passes near-infrared light above 850nm.

8mm Back Focus and 1.25" Barrel with Adapters

The QHY5III585M features a versatile front-end design with a native back focus of just 8mm. The 8mm back focus of V2 cameras makes them easy to use with an OAG; with the adapter it is 17mm. The basic top adapter has 1.25 inch threads for a 1.25 inch filter, and its glass can be swapped.

For additional flexibility, the box holds a 1.25" to CS adapter and a CS to C adapter for CS-mount and C-mount lenses, plus an IR-cut filter and an IR850nm filter. QHYCCD also offers a 1.25-inch filter wheel adapter to connect a mono planetary camera to the QHYCFW3-S filter wheel.

QHY5III585M vs. 585C: The Monochrome Advantage

The colour QHY5III585C gives colour in each frame; the monochrome QHY5III585M has no Bayer matrix, so every pixel records all the light that reaches it, and colour is built from filtered frames.

• Higher Effective Resolution: Each of the 3856 x 2180 pixels records luminance directly, with no demosaicing.
• Increased Sensitivity: No colour filter array sits over the pixels.
• Narrowband Imaging: With a filter wheel, separate filters such as a methane band filter can be used one at a time.

USB-C Power and 90g Lightweight Body

The QHY5III585M is powered over its USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C connection, with no separate 12V supply. Some notebook USB ports give less than 5V, which can starve the camera of power. The camera weighs 90 grams.

A multi-colored status indicator on the back signals an abnormal status with different colors and stays off during normal operation, so it does not contaminate the image.

QHYCCD All-In-One Pack: Drivers and Software Ecosystem

QHYCCD's All-In-One pack includes the system driver, ASCOM drivers and EZCAP_QT, which QHYCCD uses for device tests and update management. Install any third-party capture software before the pack, because the pack's plug-ins need it.

SharpCap is included in the pack, authorized by SharpCap, and QHYCCD's guide walks through SharpCap, ASCOM and PHD guiding. A WDM Broadcast Driver gives a live signal to OBS and other live software.