{"product_id":"ioptron-3371","title":"iOptron iCAM178M Mono Camera","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6.4 Megapixel Sony IMX178 Mono Sensor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.4µm Pixel Size for High-Resolution Sampling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60 Frames Per Second at Full Resolution\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow Read Noise of 1.3e to 2.2e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSB 3.0 and ST-4 Guide Port\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\u003eiCAM178M Mono Camera\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iCAM178M Mono Camera centers on the proven Sony IMX178 monochrome sensor, combining a 6.4MP resolution (3096x2078) with small 2.4µm pixels to achieve critical sampling on planetary targets. It delivers this high-resolution data at up to 60 fps over a USB3.0 connection, while a 14-bit ADC ensures smooth tonal gradations. With a peak quantum efficiency of ~80% and read noise as low as 1.3e, the iCAM178M captures faint details with authority, whether used for imaging or as a sensitive autoguider.\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\u003e6.4 Megapixels and 2.4µm Pixels for High-Resolution Imaging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe camera's strength lies in its sensor's ability to resolve fine detail. The 2.4µm pixels are an excellent match for long focal-length telescopes like Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutovs, allowing you to properly sample the cloud belts of Jupiter or the delicate rilles on the Moon without needing a Barlow lens in good seeing. The generous 6.4MP resolution provides a wide enough field to easily locate planets and capture full-disc images of the Moon or Sun with shorter focal length instruments.\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\u003eFreeze Atmospheric Seeing at 60 Frames Per Second\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanetary imaging is a race against atmospheric turbulence. The iCAM178M captures full-resolution frames at 60 fps, a rate essential for \"lucky imaging.\" This high-speed capture, enabled by the USB3.0 data port, allows you to record thousands of frames in just a few minutes, dramatically increasing your chances of catching moments of perfect atmospheric stability. The resulting sharp frames can then be stacked to produce a final image with detail that would be impossible to see in a single long exposure.\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\u003eLow-Noise Architecture with ~80% Quantum Efficiency\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh sensitivity is critical for capturing subtle planetary features and faint guide stars. The iCAM178M's back-illuminated IMX178 sensor achieves a peak QE of ~80%, ensuring most of the photons hitting the sensor are converted into signal. This is complemented by a low read noise floor, ranging from 2.2e down to 1.3e, and a built-in HCG mode that suppresses noise at higher gain settings. The 14-bit ADC provides over 16,000 levels of gray, giving you the dynamic range to record bright sunspots and faint prominences in the same frame (with a dedicated solar telescope or filter).\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\u003eA Sensitive Autoguider with an ST-4 Port\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same characteristics that make the iCAM178M a powerful planetary imager also make it a superb autoguider. Its high sensitivity finds guide stars even in sparse fields, while the small 2.4µm pixels allow for extremely precise centroid calculations, enabling sub-pixel guiding accuracy for sharp, pinpoint stars in your long-exposure deep-sky images. A standard ST-4 compatible guide port provides a direct, reliable connection to virtually any modern equatorial mount.\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\u003eiCAM178M vs. ZWO ASI178MM: Choosing Your IMX178 Camera\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most direct competitor to the iCAM178M is the ZWO ASI178MM, as both cameras are built around the exact same Sony IMX178 monochrome sensor. Consequently, their core imaging specifications—resolution (6.4MP), pixel size (2.4µm), frame rate (60 fps), and quantum efficiency (~80%)—are fundamentally identical. The choice between them comes down to other factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompetitor's Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e ZWO has a highly developed and widely adopted software ecosystem, including native integration with their ASIAIR devices, robust ASCOM drivers, and dedicated capture software like ASICAP.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eiCAM178M's Position:\u003c\/strong\u003e The iCAM178M presents a compelling alternative that delivers the same foundational imaging performance. For users who prioritize the sensor's capabilities and already have a preferred third-party capture software (like SharpCap or FireCapture), the iCAM178M offers a direct path to high-resolution results.\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 are the primary uses for the iCAM178M Mono Camera?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iCAM178M excels at two main tasks: \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-resolution lucky imaging\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Moon, planets, and Sun (with a safe, appropriate solar filter), and as a \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-sensitivity autoguider\u003c\/strong\u003e for deep-sky astrophotography. Its combination of small pixels, high frame rate, and low noise makes it a versatile tool for both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow will the iCAM178M's 2.4µm pixels perform with an 8\" f\/10 SCT on Jupiter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn 8\" f\/10 SCT has a focal length of approximately 2032mm. With the iCAM178M's \u003cstrong\u003e2.4µm pixels\u003c\/strong\u003e, your image scale would be 0.24 arc-seconds per pixel. This is nearly perfect sampling for capturing fine detail on Jupiter under good seeing conditions, falling right in the ideal range recommended by imaging experts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the benefit of the iCAM178M's HCG mode?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHCG (High Conversion Gain) mode is a feature of the sensor that automatically reduces read noise when you increase the camera's gain past a certain point. This allows you to use higher gain settings to amplify faint signals—like details on Saturn or a dim guide star—without the significant noise penalty you would see otherwise, effectively preserving dynamic range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the iCAM178M as an autoguider for deep-sky imaging of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. The iCAM178M is an excellent autoguider. Its high quantum efficiency (\u003cstrong\u003e~80%\u003c\/strong\u003e) and low read noise will easily detect suitable guide stars in the field of view around a large target like M31. The small pixels provide very precise guiding feedback to your mount, resulting in sharp, round stars in your final image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the iCAM178M mono sensor better than a color one for planets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor achieving the highest possible detail, yes. A monochrome sensor like the IMX178 in the iCAM178M uses every pixel to capture light, resulting in a fundamentally sharper and more sensitive image than a color camera with a Bayer matrix. To create a color planetary image, you shoot separate videos through Red, Green, and Blue filters and combine them during processing. This LRGB method gives you more control and produces superior results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat are the power and data connections for the iCAM178M?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iCAM178M uses a single \u003cstrong\u003eUSB3.0 port\u003c\/strong\u003e for both high-speed data transfer and power, simplifying cable management at the telescope. For autoguiding, it also has a separate, standard \u003cstrong\u003eST-4 compatible port\u003c\/strong\u003e to connect directly to your mount's autoguider input.\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 IMX178 CMOS (monochrome)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSensor Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\/1.8” (7.4mm x 5.0mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax. Resolution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3096 x 2078 (6.4 Megapixels)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePixel Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.4µm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax. Frame Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 fps (at 10-bit, max. resolution)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eADC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14-bit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReadout Noise\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.2e ~ 1.3e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuantum Efficiency (Peak)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~80%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull Well Capacity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15Ke\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShutter Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRolling shutter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExposure Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32µs to 2000s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHCG Mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupported\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eData Port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB3.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGuide Port\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eST-4 compatible\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTelescope Adapter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.25”\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptical Window\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAR coated glass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.75 lbs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 x 4 x 2.2 in\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\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917290238237,"sku":"IOP-3371","price":377.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-iCAM178M-Mono-Camera-1_a4813c6b-c451-407e-aa23-458471719aad.jpg?v=1789142017","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr\/products\/ioptron-3371","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}