QHYCCD miniCAM8 IMX585 Cooled Monochrome Camera

QHYCCD miniCAM8 IMX585 Cooled Monochrome Camera

Overview

The new miniCAM8 is a small, high-resolution, high-performance, cooled imaging system that is little over 4 inches in diameter and a few inches thick (IMX585). It can produce both high-quality, high-resolution planetary photographs and remarkable, high-resolution deep space images.

Compactness in astroimaging is frequently attained at the price of other crucial aspects of multi-component cooled systems, including sensor quality or thermoelectric cooling, among others. With the new miniCAM8, this isn't the case. The miniCAM8, which is based on Sony's IMX585 8 MP sensor, has an integrated 8-position filter wheel for full LRGB and narrowband imaging, as well as full TE cooling that can achieve a delta of -45°C from ambient.

High Sensitivity to Near-Infrared
The Sony Starvis II processor, the IMX585, allows for high dynamic range (HDR) and high sensitivity. In comparison to the IMX485, it also increases sensitivity in the near-infrared spectrum by about 1.7 times*. The highest quantum efficiency of the new camera miniCAM8 is 92% in the visible wavelength range and 60% in the near-infrared band.

BSI
Enhancement of full-well capacity is one advantage of the back-illuminated CMOS construction. This is especially useful for sensors that have tiny pixels. Photons from the target entering the sensor's photosensitive layer must first travel via metal wiring embedded just above the photosensitive layer in a standard front-illuminated sensor. Some photons are reflected by the wiring arrangement, which lowers the sensor's efficiency.

Light is permitted to enter the photosensitive surface of the back-illuminated sensor from the opposite side. The integrated wiring structure of the sensor is situated beneath the photosensitive layer in this instance. More electrons are produced and trapped in the pixel well as a result of more incoming photons striking the photosensitive layer. Quantum efficiency is the ratio of photon to electron generation. An image of something dim can be captured more sensitively by a sensor with a higher quantum efficiency because it is more effective at converting photons to electrons.

Another zero amplifer glow camera is the Zero Amplify Glow miniCAM8.

Linearity HDR Mode

The IMX585 sensor features a native 12-bit ADC. While effective, this bit depth offers fewer levels of gradation compared to 16-bit, leading to a narrower dynamic range. This can result in less color depth and potential loss of subtle image details. To overcome this during the development of the miniCAM8, QHYCCD implemented a method that combines high and low gain signals into a 16-bit output. However, since this extension isn't natively 16-bit, it can introduce abrupt shifts in linearity, affecting image smoothness. To mitigate this, QHYCCD introduced a software-driven “Linearity HDR” mode. This mode utilizes advanced algorithms to enhance linearity across the image, producing smoother gradients and more accurate color transitions.

With “Linearity HDR” mode enabled, the sensor reaches a full well capacity of 46,000 electrons, with an impressively low read noise of just 1.0e-. This configuration results in a dynamic range of approximately 46,300:1, which translates to 93 dB or roughly 15.5 stops.

Filters for miniCAM8

miniCAM8 Deep Sky Filters:

The astronomical filters bundled with the miniCAM8 deep sky configurations are specifically designed to align with the sensor's performance. Each filter measures 19 mm × 12 mm × 1.1 mm. The LRGB and SHO narrowband filters supplied with the miniCAM8M variant are custom-made by XiMei Filters. The LRGB filters feature an optical density (OD) of 3, while the narrowband filters offer a higher OD of 5.

Optical density measures how effectively a filter reduces unwanted light transmission. A higher OD means better suppression of stray or background light, enhancing contrast and detail in captured images. This ensures cleaner and more defined astrophotographs.

For the miniCAM8C deep sky variant, the filters are customized by Optolong Optics. This combo includes a standard light pollution filter, a heavy light pollution filter, a four-channel enhancement filter, and a UV/IR cut filter—each crafted to reduce interference and improve image clarity.

Additionally, the miniCAM8 series supports 7 specialized filters: LRGB broadband filters, a 20nm Methane filter, a 40nm UV filter, and a 10nm Sodium filter centered at 589nm. These are also manufactured by XiMei Filters.

miniCAM8M Sloan Photometric Filters: U, G, R, I, Z

These scientific-grade photometric filters, customized by XiMei Filters, are calibrated for precision measurements in professional astronomical applications.

miniCAM8M Sloan Photometric filters: UGRIZ    They are customized by XiMei Filters.

Off-Axis Guider (OAG) for miniCAM8

QHYCCD offers a custom-designed Off-Axis Guider (OAG) specifically for use with the miniCAM8. This OAG features a generously sized 14×10mm prism, which enhances the amount of light reaching the guide camera—allowing for improved guiding accuracy. It includes a standard M48 telescope thread for straightforward attachment and is engineered to maintain a 55mm back focus distance, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of astrophotography configurations. (Note: This accessory is sold separately.)

Mechanical Dimensions

Accessories