QHY5III462 Colour Camera
QHY
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Overview
The QHY5III462 camera uses the Sixth Generation Sony 2.1 megapixel IMX462 STARVIS CMOS sensor. The pixel size is 2.9um making it the same size and resolution as the sensor used in the QHY5III290 camera that has been so successfully used for planetary imaging by some of the best planetary imagers in the world. Like other cameras in the 5III series, the QHY5III462 is USB 3.0 powered and controlled. No additional power is required.
The IMX462 sensor is back-illuminated and incorporates new technology that gives it some significant advantage over other planetary cameras: First, the IMX462 sensor has sHCG (Super High Conversion Gain) for very low read noise at high gain. This is ideal for stacking hundreds or thousands of short planetary images. Second, it is exceptionally sensitive in the NIR.
In this latest generation of sensors, the photodiode portion of the pixel well is physically deeper than in previous Sony BSI sensors, allowing photons of longer wavelength to penetrate deeper into the substrate. This dramatically increases the sensor’s sensitivity to red and near infrared (NIR) light. The RGB filters over the pixels become transparent at NIR wavelengths, so the sensor displays almost equal peak sensitivity to NIR light as it does to light in the visible spectrum.
The peak QE in the NIR around 800nm is as high as the peak QE in the visible wavelengths. For planetary imagers using a methane filter that passes light around 880nm this is welcome news.

- Specifications
- Extra Information
Specifications
| Model | QHY5III462M/C |
| Image Sensor | SONY IMX462 |
| Mono/Color | Color |
| FSI/BSI | BSI |
| Sensor Size | Typical 1/2.8 inch |
| Pixel Size | 2.9μm*2.9μm |
| Effective Pixel Area | 1920*1080 |
| Effective Pixels | 2 Megapixels |
| Full Well Capacity | 12ke- |
| Read Noise | 0.5e- |
| A/D | 12-bit (output as 16-bit and 8-bit) |
| Full Frame Rates | 135 FPS@8bit |
| Exposure Time Range | 7μs-900sec |
| Shutter Type | Electronic Rolling Shutter |
| Computer Interface | USB3.0 Type-B |
| Guide Port | Custom ST-4 |
| Telescope Interface | 1.25-inch, C-Mount |
| Optical Window | AR Anti-reflection Glass |
| Extra Filter | R850nm Filter Included |
| IR-Cut Filter | Included in 462C Only |
| Back Focal Length | 12mm |
| Weight | 88g |
Extra Information
SUPERB NIR RESPONSE: The QHY5III462C uses Sony's latest generation IMX462 back-illuminated sensor with extended red and near infrared response. It has nearly double the red and NIR sensitivity as previous generation BSI sensors and even greater sensitivity compared to front illuminated sensors.
SUPER HIGH CONVERSION GAIN: Sony's new sHCG (Super High Conversion Gain) technology produces a higher voltage from fewer photons resulting in greater sensitivity even at very low levels of light.
HIGH FRAME RATE: The QHY5III462C will output 135 frames per second at full resolution, making it perfect for planetary imaging.
FILTERS FOR VISIBLE AND IR IMAGING: The QHY5III462C comes with two free 1.25-inch filters: the IR850 filter and the UV/IR filter.
Let customers speak for us
from 211 reviewsVery fast delivery
At first glance it seems quite light and the implication is that it can't really be all that powerful. However, light is what we want and it emits lots of lovely laser light! It's perfect for pointing out features to anyone else and bonus is that you can use a laser to align a scope or binos on the feature of your choosing by shining it through the scope finder or eyepiece (binos).
Just a note it to avoid shining the laser at anything reflective, as it can blind you very quickly. That includes road cones with their reflective tape. I can see how pilots are affected, it wouldn't take much.
Very helpful and knowledgeable team who offered ideas and suggestions without being too pushy. Very helpful.
As a stargazing newbie, I'm so glad I visited the showroom for advice! Andrew was super helpful and I'm very happy with my 8" Dobsonian :)
My comments are based on using it with a 102mm ED refractor, FL 714 mm. My home is in a Bortle 5 location in Christchurch.
This shorty Barlow is an apochromatic design, it uses a brass compression ring and is light at approx.100gms. I've used it several times in mostly poor viewing conditions, and once in above average conditions. In that time I viewed double stars, emission nebulae, open and globular star clusters, and Jupiter. I thought it provided excellent views and on the one occasion when seeing conditions and the city lights were less in the early morning, I was able to achieve 203 x magnification looking at a globular while still getting a reasonable view. Even at 238 x the view was tolerable, albeit quite soft.
I also have a Celestron X-Cel-LX 2X Barlow, so was able to compare the two Barlows. I found them pretty much identical in terms of colour, sharpness and contrast, though someone with better eyesight may notice differences that I can't.
I highly recommend the Astronz 2.5X Barlow, as it can provide substantially higher magnification options if you have, say 3 or 4 eyepieces. Personally, I prefer my 2 X Barlow as its more useful in less than average viewing conditions, which for me is most of the time. However, in above average to excellent viewing conditions, or at a dark sky site, the extra magnification of the 2.5 X Barlow would be very useful. If you are just starting out and wanting to get a Barlow, the Astronz one costs $48 cf. $249 for the Celestron. The choice is pretty much a no-brainer from that perspective.
I'll continue to use both, as different EP combinations and magnification steps will suit different viewing conditions.
The collimator arrived within 24 hours and was exactly what I needed. If didn't take long to realise the collimator itself needed to be collimated which was an easy process and added to learning how to use it. It was easy to use to collimate the Dobsonian Telescope. Thanks Astronz for helping me get underway with my new hobby.
I am so happy with the 8" Dobsonian. The fine focuser and the 2" superview lens where features which other beginner packages didn't have. I went to visit Andrew's store, he didn't confuse me or up sell, and he gave lots of time chatting and showing me the scopes, he gave advice for where to find dark skies and to come along to the societies meeting which introduced me to lots of great people and astronomy. I set the scope up within hours, within a week I had three amazing observing sessions, in dark skies not far from Auckland, the scope is simple and quick to set up and use and I am very impressed by how it has delivered beyond my expectations for power, useability and fun! Highly recommend Astronz
I am delighted to write a report for this product. It is extremely well made and combines a manual as well as electric function for focusing. This is important to me because with my other electric focuser, I was unable to use the telescope visually without having to dismount it. Now I am able to use it visually.
The focusing function allows very precise control. Unlike my previous focuser, there is now no problem from Schmidt Cassegrain mirror slop. I can now search for focus by adjusting in and out of focus and then when focus is found, set the counter to zero. I am a planetary imager and can now be very precise in searching for focus - even during a video capture. When experimenting beyond your "zero" point one can always return to that point precisely.
I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Cheers,
Paul Mallinson
Superbly easy to use and wonderful clear view while abl to clip on phone camera to other side made great photos
From what I’ve tried so far they seem amazing got a few more days to use them in Wellington NZ before we flight back to London so hopefully all good 👍 cheers Frank
I recently purchased the Celestron EdgeHD 8" Optical Tube Assembly from Astronz and had a very positive experience. The sales service was excellent, knowledgeable and provided helpful advice about the telescope and accessories before purchase. Astronz is run by experienced astronomers, which makes a big difference when discussing equipment and setup.
good quality and quick shipping. Andrew was great help.
Awesome definition, great contrast and sharpness.
Easy and reliable way to buy.
Perfect and helpful customer service.
The eye piece and the collimator are awesome.