With its back-illuminated sensor architecture and advanced pixel design, the camera maintains exceptionally low readout noise and delivers outstanding sensitivity. Even in dim conditions, it captures remarkably sharp and clean images of celestial targets.
The ASI678MC serves as an upgraded successor to the ASI178MC. It uses Sony’s latest IMX678 sensor featuring enhanced STARVIS 2 technology. Compared with the ASI178MC, this model offers zero amp glow, reduced read noise, and improved sensitivity. Dark current noise is significantly lower, and near-infrared performance is notably enhanced.
A USB 3.0 interface and built-in 256MB DDR3 buffer work together to ensure smooth and reliable data transfer. During long-exposure imaging, this setup prevents dropped frames and substantially minimizes glow artifacts caused by slow readout speeds.
ASI678MC is an improved version of ASI178MC. It delivers lower read noise, reduced dark current, and completely eliminates amp glow.
The ASI678MC produces zero amp glow regardless of exposure length or gain setting. This advantage is implemented at the hardware level and does not rely on software correction.
The camera includes a High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode that significantly reduces readout noise at high gain values. This enables the camera to retain high dynamic range comparable to that at low gain. When gain reaches 182, HCG activates automatically. Readout noise drops to 0.8e, while the dynamic range remains close to 12-bit.
QE curve performance and readout noise levels play crucial roles in determining overall camera quality. High quantum efficiency combined with low readout noise results in improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Compared with the ASI178, the ASI678MC shows much lower dark current noise and delivers cleaner, smoother dark frames, leading to improved signal-to-noise performance.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor Specifications | |
| Sensor | 1/1.8" CMOS Sony IMX678AAQR1-C |
| Bayer Pattern | R Gr Gb B |
| QE Peak | 83% |
| Resolution | 8.29 MP (3840 × 2160) |
| Pixel Size | 2 µm |
| Sensor Dimensions | 7.68 mm × 4.32 mm |
| Performance | |
| Max FPS | 47.5 fps |
| Full Well Capacity | 11.27 Ke⁻ |
| Shutter Type | Rolling Shutter |
| Exposure Range | 32 μs ~ 2000 s |
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Back Focus Length | 12.5 mm |
| Hardware & Build | |
| Interface | USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 Type-B |
| Protect Window | φ21-1.1 AR |
| Weight | 126 g |
| Operating Conditions | |
| Working Temperature | –5℃ ~ 50℃ |
| Storage Temperature | –10℃ ~ 60℃ |
| Working Relative Humidity | 0–80% |
| Software & OS Compatibility | |
| Supported OS |
Windows 7/8/10 (32 & 64 bit) Linux Mac |
