QHY 410C Pro Colour CMOS Cooled Camera 36x24mm (IMX410) 5.94µm

The new QHY410C uses Sony's latest back-illuminated, full frame colour sensor. The IMX410 is equipped with the sensor that is used in the Nikon Z6, and Sony A7III. In addition to BSI, the IMX410 also has larger 5.94 um pixels giving it increases sensitivity of extended objects in low light. The IMX410 is expected to be Sony's most sensitive full frame color sensor for astrophotography.

One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. When back-illumination is combined with somewhat larger pixels, the full well capacity and dynamic range are improved dramatically. The QHY410C has a full well capacity of 120k electrons! With its low read noise this produces a dynamic range greater than 17,000:1 or more than 14 STOPS. Moreover, the dynamic range remains fairly uniform even at higher gain settings.

The QHY410C is capable of only 1.1 electron of read noise at high gain and fast readout speed. One electron of read noise means the camera can achieve a SNR>3 at only 3 to 4 photons. This is perfect performance when conditions are photon limited, i.e., short exposures, narrow band imaging, etc., making this large area sensor ideal for sky surveys and time domain astronomy.

Sony's Exmor R back-illuminated technology produces sensors that Sony estimates are twice as sensitive as similar front illuminated sensors. QHYCCD tests have borne out this claim. Additionally, Sony sensors are well known for their low dark current. QHYCCD's proprietary thermal noise reduction technology and the QHY410C's dual-stage regulated thermoelectric cooling further reduce dark current to extremely low levels for clean, long duration exposures when required.

As the performance of OSC (One Shot Colour) cameras can now rival that of mono in many situations, the 410C is fitted with a filter wheel connection. This would allow you to add a wheel such as the QHY CFW3 5x50mm and use filters such as the Optolong L-Pro, L-enhance and L-extreme to provide a variety of capture options even under city skies.

Specifications

Model QHY410C

Sensor SONY IMX410 Full Frame BSI CMOS Sensor

AR Coating On CMOS chamber Yes. Multi-layer AR coating

Pixel Size 5.94µm x 5.94µm

Effective Pixel Area 6072 x 4044 pixels

Effective Pixels 24.55 megapixels

Effective Image Area 36mm x 24mm

Fullwell 120ke-

AD Sample Depth 14bit (output as 16bit and 8bit)

Full Resolution frame rate 14FPS@8Bit / 7FPS@16Bit

2048lines - 23.5FPS@8Bit / 11.5FPS@16Bit

1080lines - 33.5FPS@8Bit / 16.5FPS@16Bit

768lines - 39FPS@8Bit / 19FPS@16Bit

480lines - 46FPS@8Bit / 23FPS@16Bit

Readout Noise 3.75e-@Low gain / 1.1e-@unity gain

Maximum Dynamic Range >17000:1 (More than 14 STOP's)

Dark Current 0.01e/pixel/sec @ -0C / 0.002e/pixel/sec @ -20C

Exposure Time Range 100us-3600sec

Anti-Glow Control Yes, Zero Glow

Shutter Type Electric Rolling Shutter

Computer Interface USB3.0

Built-in Image Buffer 1GB

Cooling System Dual Stage TEC cooler（-35C° below ambient*

Anti-Dew Heater Yes

Silicon Gel Socket Yes

Telescope Interface M54/0.75 Female Thread on the fast installer/center adjust ring

Optical Window Type AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating (Camera needs a UV/IR filter in the light path)

Back Focal Length 18.0mm (+/- 0.5mm)

Weight 785g

Power Consumption ~ 30 Watts @ 100% TEC. 13 Watts @ 50%TEC