The QHY183M is a one-inch, 20 Megapixel back-illuminated monochrome CMOS Astrophotography Camera with a peak QE of 84%. The pixel size is 2.4um, yielding high-resolution with modest size telescopes. The camera is capable of producing 15FPS@20 Megapixels. It has a two-stage TEC that cools the sensor to -40C to -45C below ambient. The ADC is 12-bit / 16-bit with 1e- read noise! The computer interface is USB 3.0 and exposure times can be set from 50us to 3600sec.
Sony's Image Sensor Exmor R is a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with improved sensitivity and noise reduction - the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It retains the advantages of CMOS image high-speed operation while dramatically improving sensitivity.
The QHY183M has a 128MB DDR Memory Buffer. A QHY183M 16-bit image is about 40MB, so 128MB of memory can easily buffer a full frame for transfer to the computer using QHY183M software with native single-frame shooting function, instead of intercepting a frame from a continuous video transmission. This makes data transfer to the computer stable and reliable because there is no USB bandwidth or busy CPU problems.
The QHY183M utilizes the Anti-Dew features common to the QHY COLDMOS cameras. A heated optical window prevents exterior dew from forming, and the CMOS chamber has a desiccant plug socket to prevent moisture from forming on the sensor at cold temperatures.
The QHY183M incorporates QHY's Anti-AMP Glow technology to significantly reduce typical CMOS amplifier glow to a minimum, allowing excellent calibration by subtracting a dark frame.
Specifications
| Model | QHY183M Monochrome / QHY183C Color |
| Sensor | SONY IMX183 Back-Illuminated CMOS |
| AR Coating On Sensor | Yes |
| Pixel Size | 2.4um x .4um |
| Effective Pixel Area | 5544 x 3694 |
| Effective Pixels | 20 mega |
| Effective Image Area | 13.3mm x 8.87mm |
| Full well | 15.5ke- |
| Peak QE | 84% (Monochrome) |
| AD Sample Depth | 12bit (output as 16bit and 8bit) |
| Sensor Size | Typical 4/3inch |
| Full Frame Rate | Full Resolution 19FPS |
| ROI Frame Rate | 4096 x 2160 4K HD Video 31FPS |
| Readout Noise | 2.7e-@lowest gain 1.0e@high gain |
| Dark Current | 0.0024e/pixel/sec @ -15C |
| Exposure Time Range | 50us-3600sec |
| Anti-Glow Control | Yes |
| Shutter Type | Electric Rolling Shutter |
| Computer Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Built-in Image Buffer | 128MByte DDR2 memory |
| Cooling System | Dual Stage TEC cooler (-40C below ambient） |
| Anti-Dew Heater | Yes |
| Telescope Interface | M42/0.75 |
| Optic Window Type | AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating (For color camera user need to add a UV/IR filter in the light path) |
| Back Focal Length | see the setup combination table in the bottom of this page |
| Weight | 650g |