QHY5III200M
QHY5III200M
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The QHY5III200M is part of the QHY5III V2 series of planetary and guiding cameras. Let’s explore its features:
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Sensor and Sensitivity:
- The QHY5III200M features the Sony IMX462 sensor, which has a pixel size of 2.9μm.
- This sensor is the same size and resolution as the one used in the successful QHY5III290 camera, which is widely used by top planetary imagers.
- The IMX462 sensor incorporates new technology, including sHCG (Super High Conversion Gain) for very low read noise at high gain.
- It is exceptionally sensitive in the near-infrared (NIR) range, making it ideal for stacking hundreds or thousands of short planetary images.
- The sensor’s sensitivity to red and NIR light is significantly improved due to its back-illuminated structure1.
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512MB DDR3 Image Buffer:
- The QHY5III200M is equipped with a 512MB DDR3 image buffer.
- This buffer effectively reduces the pressure on computer transmission during planetary photography, which often requires writing a large amount of data in a short period of time.
- The 512MB DDR3 memory represents a significant upgrade compared to some deep-sky astrophotography cameras that only have 256MB1.
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New Front-end Design with Better Compatibility:
- The QHY5III200M (Ver. 2) features a new front-end design with better compatibility.
- Its back focal length (BFL) is only 8mm, making it easy to use with off-axis guiders (OAGs).
- The camera supports various adapters, including 1.25-inch threads, CS and C-mount, and even filters.
- The USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C interface ensures efficient data transfer1.
In summary, the QHY5III200M combines high sensitivity, low noise, and efficient memory handling, making it suitable for both guiding and planetary imaging applications. You can find more information about this camera on the QHYCCD website.
The QHY5III (Ver. 2) series planetary and guiding cameras are all equipped with a 512MB 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 256MB, for example.
In comparison, the 512MB DDR3 memory of the new 5III (Ver. 2) series cameras represent a significant upgrade.
New Front-end Design with Better Compatibility
QHY5III (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 compact a V2 camera 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 Camra with the QHYCFW3-S filter wheel.
The 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 a large number of poor-quality Type-C cables, casual use may lead to the camera malfunctioning. If you use your own spare cable, please make sure it is a high-quality cable.
The 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.
The 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.
Mars
By Tiziano Olivetti, with QHY5III200M
Saturn captured by Christopher Go with QHY5III200M
Jupiter captured by Christopher Go with QHY5III200M（top） and QHY5III462C (bottom)
Methane band image comparison between QHY5III200M and QHY5III462C
| Model | QHY5III200M |
| Image Sensor | SC2210 |
| Mono/Color | Mono Only |
| FSI/BSI | BSI |
| Sensor Size | – |
| Pixel Size | 4um*4um |
| Effective Pixel Area | 1920*1080 |
| Effective Pixels | 2 Megapixels |
| Full Well Capacity | 8ke- |
| Read Noise | 0.75e- to 3e- |
| A/D | 12-bit (output as 16-bit and 8-bit) |
| Built-in Image Buffer | 512MB DDR3 Memory |
| Full Frame Rates | 96.5FPS @8BIT 60FPS @16BIT |
| ROI Frame Rates | 960Lines 187FPS @8BIT 116FPS @16BIT 480Lines 209FPS @8BIT 130FPS @16BIT |
| Exposure Time Range | 15us-900sec |
| Shutter Type | Electronic Rolling 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 |
| Extra Filter | IR850nm Filter Included |
| Back Focal Length | 17mm (with adapter); 8mm（without adapter） |
| Weigth | 90g |
