QHY Camera miniCam8 Mono Combo (85627)

The miniCAM8 is a compact, high-resolution cooled imaging system, measuring just over 4 inches in diameter and a few inches thick (IMX585 sensor). It delivers exceptional deep space and planetary images with high quality and resolution.

Performance and Features

• Unlike many compact astroimaging cameras, the miniCAM8 does not compromise on important features such as sensor quality or thermoelectric cooling.

• The camera is built around Sony’s IMX585 8 MP sensor and offers full thermoelectric cooling, achieving a temperature difference of up to -45°C from ambient.

• It includes a built-in 8-position filter wheel, allowing for comprehensive LRGB and narrowband imaging.

Custom-Designed Filters

• The astronomical filters included in the miniCAM8 deepsky combos are specially designed for this camera, measuring 19 mm x 12 mm x 1.1 mm.

• LRGB and SHO narrowband filters for the miniCAM8M are custom-made by XiMei Filters.

• LRGB filters have an optical density (OD) value of 3, and the narrowband filters have an OD value of 5.

Back-Illuminated CMOS Structure (BSI)

• Back-illuminated CMOS sensors improve sensitivity by allowing light to reach the photosensitive layer without passing through metal wiring. This increases quantum efficiency and enables the camera to capture dim objects more effectively.

Cooling and Anti-Dew Control

• Dual-stage TE cooling is paired with proprietary QHYCCD technology to minimize dark current noise.

• The optical window includes a built-in dew heater, and the sensor chamber is protected from internal humidity. An electric heating board prevents dew formation.

Sealing Technology

• With almost two decades of experience, QHY uses advanced sealing to keep the sensor chamber dry, including a silicon gel tube socket for humidity control. No oil leakage occurs.

Technical Specifications

• Sensor type: CMOS Chip (Sony IMX585)

• Megapixels: 8

• Pixel size: 2.9 μm

• Photo resolution: 3856 x 2180 pixels

• Bit depth: 16

• Active cooling: Yes

• Interfaces: USB 3.0

• Telescope connection: M48

• Color camera: No

• Maximum cooling difference below room temperature: -45°C

• Maximum exposure time: 15 minutes

• Minimum exposure time: 11 μs

• Images per second: 42 FPS at 8-bit, 24 FPS at 16-bit

• Read noise: 0.76 – 7.8 e-

• Full well capacity: 54,000 e-

• Flange focal distance: 17.5 mm

• Power supply: 12V

• Shutter: Electronic

• Quantum efficiency: 91.2% (OIII), 80.9% (Ha), 78.7% (SII)

• Anti-fog heating: Yes

• Buffer memory: 512 MB DDR3

Equipment and Accessories

• Filter wheel: Yes

• Barrel adaptors: 1.25"

• Power pack: Yes

• Cable: USB

• Other contents: Tools

• Carry case: Yes

General

• Weight: 480 g

• Areas of application: Moon and planets, nebulae and galaxies

• AllSky, meteor: No

• Autoguider: No