{"product_id":"qhyccd-qhy550p","title":"QHYCCD QHY550P Polarized Camera","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Megapixel Sony IMX250 Polarized Monochrome Sensor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3.45µm Pixel Size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElectronic Global Shutter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual-Stage TEC Cooling to -35°C Below Ambient\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e68 FPS at Full Resolution (8-bit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e128MB DDR2 Image Buffer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownloads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQHY550P Polarized Camera\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QHY550P Polarized Camera integrates a specialized 5 Megapixel Sony IMX250 sensor capable of measuring the polarization of light directly at the chip. With 3.45µm pixels, an electronic global shutter, and a dual-stage TEC that cools the sensor to -35°C below ambient, this camera is engineered for scientific applications. It achieves a full-frame rate of 68 FPS over USB 3.0, while its 128MB DDR2 buffer ensures stable data transfer during high-speed captures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSony IMX250 Sensor: 5 Megapixels of Polarized Data\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe core of the QHY550P is its 2\/3-inch Sony IMX250 sensor, which features an on-chip polarizing filter array. This design places four different polarization angle filters (0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) over a 2x2 block of pixels, allowing the camera to capture the degree and angle of polarization in a single exposure. With 5 megapixels of resolution and 3.45µm pixels, it resolves fine details in applications ranging from analyzing stress in materials to studying the scattered light from reflection nebulae or planetary atmospheres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGlobal Shutter \u0026amp; 68 FPS Capture for Distortion-Free Imaging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike rolling shutters that can distort fast-moving objects, the QHY550P's electronic global shutter exposes all 5 million pixels simultaneously. This eliminates motion artifacts, making it essential for accurate measurement in life sciences, industrial inspection, or astronomical \"lucky imaging\" of the Sun and planets. The USB 3.0 interface and a 128MB DDR2 memory buffer sustain a high data rate, delivering up to 68 frames per second at full resolution in 8-bit mode, and over 263 FPS with a reduced region of interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e-35°C TEC Cooling for High Signal-to-Noise Ratio\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetecting subtle variations in polarized light requires exceptionally low noise. The QHY550P uses a regulated, dual-stage thermoelectric cooler to reduce the sensor temperature to -35°C below ambient. This dramatically suppresses thermal noise, lowering the dark current to just 0.047e-\/pixel\/sec at -10°C. Combined with a read noise as low as 2e-, the deep cooling ensures that faint signals are not lost, providing the clean data necessary for precise scientific analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQHY550P vs. QHY550M: When to Choose a Polarized Sensor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QHY550 series includes both this polarized (P) model and a standard monochrome (M) version. The choice depends entirely on your application's requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQHY550M (Monochrome):\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose this version for general-purpose, high-resolution imaging where maximizing light gathering is the primary goal. It will have slightly higher quantum efficiency as it lacks the polarizing filter layer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQHY550P (Polarized):\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a specialized instrument. Select the QHY550P when your research requires measuring the polarization state of light. It is the definitive tool for polarimetry, whether for astronomy, microscopy, or materials science, where polarization data reveals information that is invisible to a standard intensity-based camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat astronomical objects are best for the QHY550P's polarized sensor?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QHY550P excels at imaging objects where light has been scattered or affected by magnetic fields. Prime targets include \u003cstrong\u003ereflection nebulae\u003c\/strong\u003e like the area around Merope in the Pleiades (M45), \u003cstrong\u003eplanetary atmospheres\u003c\/strong\u003e to study cloud and haze properties, \u003cstrong\u003esupernova remnants\u003c\/strong\u003e, and detailed \u003cstrong\u003esolar imaging\u003c\/strong\u003e to analyze magnetic structures in the photosphere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does the global shutter on the QHY550P benefit planetary imaging?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring planetary imaging, atmospheric turbulence (\"seeing\") causes the image to warp and shimmer. High-speed video is used to \"freeze\" moments of steady air. A \u003cstrong\u003eglobal shutter\u003c\/strong\u003e, like the one in the QHY550P, exposes the entire planet instantly for each frame. This prevents the distortion seen with rolling shutters, where different parts of the planet are recorded at slightly different times, leading to a more accurate final stacked image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the purpose of the 128MB DDR2 buffer in the QHY550P?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e128MB DDR2 image buffer\u003c\/strong\u003e acts as a temporary, high-speed storage for frames coming off the sensor before they are sent to the computer via USB 3.0. This prevents data loss or dropped frames, especially during high-speed recording or when the host computer's CPU is busy. It ensures a smooth, stable data stream, which is critical for scientific measurements and video astronomy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use standard LRGB or narrowband filters with the QHY550P?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, you can. The QHY550P is fundamentally a monochrome sensor, so using filters is possible. However, be aware that the on-chip polarizing filters will interact with any external filters. This setup is useful for \"spectropolarimetry\"—studying polarization at specific wavelengths—but for standard deep-sky imaging, a non-polarized monochrome camera is more efficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does the -35°C cooling on the QHY550P improve its imaging?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCooling the sensor with the dual-stage TEC to \u003cstrong\u003e-35°C below ambient\u003c\/strong\u003e drastically reduces thermal noise, also known as dark current. This is the noise that accumulates in an image even in total darkness. By suppressing this noise source, the QHY550P can take longer exposures and detect fainter signals with much higher fidelity, which is essential for accurate polarimetric measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the advantage of the QHY550P over a standard camera with an external polarizing filter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QHY550P's on-chip polarizer array captures four polarization angles (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) in a \u003cstrong\u003esingle shot\u003c\/strong\u003e. To get the same data with an external filter, you would need a filter wheel and have to take four separate images, rotating the filter between each. This is slow, mechanically complex, and impossible for capturing rapidly changing phenomena.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImage Sensor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSony IMX250, Polarized Monochrome CMOS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSensor Format\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\/3 inch (8.50mm x 7.09mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResolution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 Megapixels (2460 x 2070)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePixel Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.45µm x 3.45µm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA\/D Conversion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12-bit (output as 16-bit or 8-bit)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShutter Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElectronic Global Shutter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull Well Capacity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11,000 e-\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRead Noise\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2e- to 2.5e-\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark Current\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.047e-\/pixel\/sec @ -10℃\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExposure Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20µs to 600sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrame Rate (Full)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e68 FPS @ 8-bit, 34 FPS @ 16-bit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrame Rate (ROI)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 263 FPS @ 8-bit (480 lines)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImage Buffer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e128MB DDR2 Memory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCooling System\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual-Stage TEC, -35°C below ambient\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnti-Dew Heater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComputer Interface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB 3.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFilter Wheel Port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-pin QHYCCD CFW Port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrigger Port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpto-isolated Hardware Trigger-In (RCA)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical Window\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAR+AR Multi-Coated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBack Focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e17.5mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdapters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupports M42x0.75 and 2-inch barrels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e460g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Consumption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27W (100% TEC), 12W (50% TEC), 2W (TEC off)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.qhyccd.com\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\" class=\"DAV-img-box\"\u003e\u003cpath fill=\"#0047a7\" d=\"M128 32C92.7 32 64 60.7 64 96l0 256 64 0 0-256 384 0 0 256 64 0 0-256c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64L128 32zM19.2 384C8.6 384 0 392.6 0 403.2C0 445.6 34.4 480 76.8 480l486.4 0c42.4 0 76.8-34.4 76.8-76.8c0-10.6-8.6-19.2-19.2-19.2L19.2 384z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e \n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eDownload Software\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/qhyccd-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eQHYCCD Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"QHYCCD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52942989525277,"sku":"QHY-110062","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/QHYCCD-QHY550P-Polarized-Camera-1_f72d7c04-8cc1-42a3-99e1-c4f3085ecdbb.jpg?v=1789614957","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/qhyccd-qhy550p","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}