Player One Xena 585M Mono Guide Camera

Sony STARVIS 2 Sensor: 8.3 MP at 2.9µm

At the core of the Xena 585M is the Sony IMX585 monochrome sensor, featuring back-illuminated STARVIS 2 architecture. This combination results in a ≈91% peak QE, ensuring that the majority of photons hitting the 12.85mm diagonal sensor are converted to signal. The camera's 2.9μm pixels and 8.3 MP resolution create a large, detailed canvas, making it vastly easier to locate a suitable guide star, especially in star-poor regions or when using an off-axis guider. The deep 47k e full well capacity allows for longer exposures when imaging without saturating brighter stars.

High-Speed Guiding and Imaging: 47 FPS at Full Resolution

Powered by a USB 3.0 data port, the Xena 585M achieves a full-frame capture rate of 47 FPS at 10-bit ADC. This speed is critical for "lucky imaging" of the Moon and planets, allowing you to freeze moments of steady atmospheric seeing. For autoguiding, this high frame rate enables your software to make rapid, precise corrections, effectively averaging out atmospheric turbulence for tighter, rounder stars in your final image. By selecting a Region of Interest (ROI), you can boost speeds further, reaching up to 187 FPS at a 1920×1080 resolution.

Advanced On-Board Features: HDR Mode and Dead Pixel Suppression

The Xena 585M integrates advanced firmware features that streamline the imaging process. These technologies are handled directly on the camera, reducing the need for post-processing and improving your raw data from the moment of capture.

• High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode: When enabled, this mode provides a larger dynamic range and lowers read noise. This is invaluable for imaging objects with a bright core and faint outer structures, such as the Orion Nebula (M42), preventing the core from blowing out while still capturing delicate nebulosity.
• Dead Pixel Suppression (DPS): The camera maps and corrects for fixed abnormal pixels internally. During an exposure, the value of a dead pixel is replaced by a median value calculated from surrounding pixels, resulting in cleaner frames before they are even saved to your computer.

Compact 1.25" Body & ST4 Port: A 65g Guiding Solution

Weighing only 65g with a 40mm diameter, the Xena 585M is engineered to minimize load on your focuser and mount. Its 1.25" form factor allows it to slide directly into a standard guide scope or OAG, simplifying setup and reducing potential flexure. The camera has a short 7.5mm back focal length for easier focus acquisition and includes a standard ST4 port for direct connection to your equatorial mount's autoguide input.

Player One Xena 585M vs. ZWO ASI585MM: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Both the Xena 585M and ZWO ASI585MM are built around the same excellent Sony sensor, but key differences in their engineering cater to different priorities.

• Advantage ZWO ASI585MM: The ZWO camera offers dual back focus distances of 6.5mm and 17.5mm, providing more flexibility for accommodating filter wheels or specific off-axis guiders in the optical train.
• Advantage Player One Xena 585M: The Xena 585M is significantly lighter at just 65g (compared to the ZWO's 126g), a critical factor for reducing focuser strain and maintaining balance. It also features a slightly larger full well capacity (47k e vs. 40k e) and a lower minimum read noise (0.7e vs. 0.9e), giving it an edge in raw signal-to-noise performance.