Estimated shipping time 30 days
QHY5III568M/C is a back-illuminated planetary & guiding camera built on the latest Series 5III v2 framework. It utilizes a global shutter and supports true hardware 2×2 binning. Its high-speed design can output up to 500 FPS at select ROI.
By Christopher Go – QHY5III568M + Stellarvue SV70 + Coronado SM60 |
Features
Sensor
The QHY5III568M/C uses a 5.1-megapixel Sony IMX568 Pregius S CMOS sensor with 2472 x 2064 pixels at 2.74um. Pregius is Sony’s trademark name for its global shutter pixel technology for active pixel CMOS image sensors that combine the low-noise performance of CCD with the high-speed and high-precision performance of global shutters. The newly developed Pregius S technology adopts a back-illuminated structure to simultaneously realize a smaller image sensor and a faster frame rate, while still maintaining the high imaging performance of Pregius.
Back-Illumination
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved sensitivity. On Pregius S, Sony newly developed an original photodiode structure and light-shielding structure that were optimized for the back-illuminated structure. These greatly improved the sensitivity and saturation properties while also suppressing the noise generation. By utilizing these properties, it is also possible to maintain the image quality while achieving the miniaturization of pixels, which makes a more compact image sensor possible.
True Hardware Binning
Unlike Most CMOS cameras, the QHY5III568M/C camera supports charge-domain binning (FD Binning), which is true hardware pixel binning similar to CCD cameras. In the past, most CMOS cameras used digital binning, which relied on algorithms for binning after the readout process. The disadvantage of this binning method (using 2*2 binning as an example) is that while the signal is amplified by 4 times, it also introduces twice the amount of noise, resulting in only a doubling of the signal-to-noise ratio, and the frame rate is not improved. In contrast, hardware binning does not increase the noise, resulting in a direct 4-fold improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, the frame rate is significantly increased without reducing the field of view by selecting a smaller region of interest (ROI) on the sensor. [NOTE: When the color camera is binned 2×2 it produces a monochrome image] *
Note: In order to activate the Charge Binning function, please select “Read Mode–2×2 FD Binning” instead of the normal binning function included in the software (Taking SharpCap for example). If you are using a color version, please turn off “Debayer Preview” first.
Global Shutter
Both the mono and color versions of the QHY5iII568M/C have a global shutter. Unlike the rolling shutter technology used in most CMOS cameras, a global shutter begins and ends the exposure for all pixels in the array at the same time, guaranteeing uniform exposure over the entire image. In the Pregius global shutter design, the pixel comprises a with the excellent low-noise property of CCD and a memory section. The light simultaneously sensed by each photodiode of all pixels is converted to a digital signal and transferred to their respective memory sections before being processed. By processing the simultaneous digital signals all at once, the resulting image has no distortion. This type of shutter is ideal for high-precision applications and is superior to the rolling shutter when imaging moving objects.
High Frame Rates
High-speed signal processing and high image quality are additional advantages of the sensor design in the QHY5III568M/C. The key to the high speed of CMOS image sensors with Pregius technology is the parallel processing. CMOS image sensors are equipped with A/D conversion circuits, which transform the analogue signal from the pixel to a digital signal. An array of several thousands of these circuits arranged horizontally realizes the high-speed processing by operating simultaneously. In the A/D conversion circuit, the analogue circuit that causes noise has been changed to a different configuration so that it automatically suppresses noise. In this way, the technology both realizes the high speed and low noise in one image sensor.
QHY5IIISeries V2 Introduction
512MB DDR3The QHY5III (Ver. 2) series planetary and guiding cameras are all equipped with a 512 MB DDR3 image buffer which can effectively reduce the pressure on computer transmission. A great help for planetary photography, which often requires writing a large amount of data in a short period of time. Some deep-sky astrophotography cameras on the market today only have 256 MB, for example. In comparison, the 512 MB DDR3 memory of the new 5III (Ver. 2) series cameras represents a significant upgrade.
New Front-end Design with Better CompatibilityQHY5III (Ver. 2) series cameras have adopted a new front-end design with better compatibility. Here we only take QHY5III200M as example, however, ALL V2 cams in the future share these features. The BFL of V2 cam is only 8mm, which means you can easily fit a V2 cam with your OAG. The basic top adapter includes 1.25 inch threads and you can still use your 1.25 inch filter. The top adapter glass of V2 can be easily switched. One of the advantage of changeable top glasses is you can use one filter even you’re using Lens! You can add a 1.25inch-cs adapter to connect CS lens, or add a second CS-C lens for C-mount lens. The two adapters are all standard accessories of V2 cams. By the way, there’s a 1.25 inch filter wheel adapter to connect your mono planetary cam with QHYCFW3-S filter wheel.
USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C InterfaceThe new QHY5III (Ver.2) series cameras all use the USB3.2 Gen1 Type-C interface. Compared to the USB3.0 Type-B interface used in the previous generation, the Type-C interface has a longer life and is more flexible. Tips: It is recommended to use the official standard Type-C data cable of QHYCCD. As the market is flooded with numerous poor-quality Type-C cables, casual use may lead to the camera malfunctioning. If you use your own spare cable, please confirm it is a high-quality cable.
Universal Guiding InterfaceThe custom interfaces of the previous generation of planetary cameras and guiders has been replaced in the QHY5III (Ver.2) cameras with a more universal ST-4 compatible guiding interface. Now, even if the guiding cable is lost or damaged, you will be able to easily get a replacement on the market at a low cost. Indicator LEDThe new QHY5III (Ver.2) series of cameras is equipped with a status indicator at the back of the camera. If the camera experiences an abnormal status, the multi-colored indicator light will help to determine the situation, with different colors signifying different conditions. During normal operation, this indicator light is off, so there is no worry about light contaminating the image. |
Specifications
Model | QHY5III568M/C |
Image Sensor | Sony IMX568 |
Mono/Color | Both Available |
FSI/BSI | BSI |
Sensor Size | 6.7mm*5.6mm(Type1/1.8) |
Pixel Size | 2.74μm*2.74μm |
Effective Pixel Area | 2472*2064 |
Effective Pixels | 5.1 Megapixels |
Full Well Capacity |
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Read Noise |
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A/D | 12-bit (output as 16-bit and 8-bit) |
Built-in Image Buffer | 512MB DDR3 Memory |
Full Frame Rates | 64.9FPS@8bit, 34.5FPS@16bit |
ROI Frame Rates |
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Exposure Time Range | 11μs-900sec |
Shutter Type | Electronic Global Shutter |
Computer Interface | USB3.0 Type-C |
Guide Port | Standard ST-4 Style |
Telescope Interface | 1.25-inch, with CS and C-Mount |
Optical Window | AR Anti-reflection Glass (5III568M) IR-Cut filter (5III568C) |
Extra Filter | – |
Back Focal Length |
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Weight | 80g |
Curves
Documentation: