With the advantage of low readout noise and high-speed readout, CMOS technology has revolutionized astronomical imaging.  A colour, back-illuminated, high-sensitivity, astronomical imaging camera is the ideal choice for astro-imagers.

The QHY268C is a back-illuminated CMOS camera with true 16-bit A/D and 3.76um pixels.  This Sony IMX571 sensor is an ideal CMOS sensor exhibiting no amplifier glow. 16-bit A/D gives high resolution sampling of the whole full well range.  Digitizing 0-65535 levels yields a smooth image with continuous gradation of greyscale levels.

Note that since January 2023, the front end of the QHY268C has been made the same as its monochrome sibling, the QHY268M. The camera now uses six bolts to connect to the component next to it.

1GB DDR3 image buffer

In order to provide smooth uninterrupted data transfer of the entire 26MP sensor at high speed, the QHY268 has 1GB DDR3 image buffer. The pixel count of the latest generation of CMOS sensors is very high resulting in greater memory requirements for temporary and permanent storage.  The QHY268 has adopted a large-capacity memory of up to 1GB.  Data throughput is doubled. This large image buffer meets the needs of high-speed image acquisition and transmission of the new generation of CMOS, making shooting of multiple frames smoother and less stuttered, further reducing the pressure on the computer CPU.

Extended Full Well Capacity and Multiple Read Modes

With a pixel size of 3.76um, these sensors already have an impressive full well capacity of 51ke.  Nevertheless, QHYCCD has implemented a unique approach to achieve a full well capacity higher than 51ke- through innovative user controllable read mode settings.  In extended full well readout mode, the QHY268 can achieve nearly 75ke-.  Greater full-well capacity provides greater dynamic range and large variations in magnitude of brightness are less likely to saturate.

Native 16-bit A/D

The new Sony sensor has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels. Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise.

BSI

One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor. In the back- illuminated sensor the light is allowed to enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons and hence the more sensitive the sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.

Zero Amp Glow

This is also a zero-amplifier glow camera.

TRUE RAW Data

In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW.  Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection.  This can have a negative effect on the image for astronomy such as the “star eater” effect.  However,  QHY Cameras offer TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.

Anti-Dew Technology

Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, The QHY cooled camera has implemented the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.

Cooling

In addition to dual stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark current noise.

Model QHY268C
CMOS Sensor Sony IMX571 C
Mono/Color Color
FSI/BSI BSI
Pixel Size 3.76um x 3.76um
Effective Pixel Area 6280*4210 (includes the optically black area and overscan area)
Effective Pixels 26MP
Sensor Size APS-C
A/D Sample Depth

 

Native 16-bit (0-65535 greyscale) A/D
Full Well Capacity (1×1, 2×2, 3×3) 51ke-
75ke- or above in extended full well mode
Full Frame Rate USB3.0 Port:
Full Resolution  6.8FPS  @8BIT         6FPS @16BIT
2048lines         13.6FPS  @8BIT     11.5FPS@16BIT
1080lines         25.4FPS  @8BIT     19.5FPS@16BIT
768lines           35FPS     @8BIT        25FPS@16BIT
480lines           50FPS     @8BIT        34FPS@16BIT
Readout Noise 1.1e- High Gain,

3.5e- Low Gain

(5.3e- to 7.4e- in extended full well mode)

Dark Current -20C,0.0005e /pixel/sec

-10C,0.001e /pixel/sec

Exposure Time Range 30us-3600sec
Unity Gain* 0(PH Mode)

30(Extended Full Well Mode)

*With the improvement of the CMOS technology, the 16bit CMOS camera has been released, like QHY600/268/411/461. For these cameras, even in lowest gain it has beyond the requirement of unit gain (less than 1e/ADU due to sufficient samples) So you can directly set gain0 as start. Please note QHY600/268C/411/461 has extend full well mode. In this mode you still need to find out the unit gain position.

Amp Control Zero Amplifer Glow
Firmware/FPGA remote Upgrade Fully support via Camera USB port
Shutter Type Electronic Shutter
Computer Interface USB3.0
Built-in Image Buffer 1GByte DDR3 Memory
Cooling System Two-stage TEC cooler

Less than 1S lower than ambient temperature -30C in continuous mode

More than 1S continuous mode or lower than ambient temperature -35C in single frame mode

(Test temperature +20°)

Optic Window Type AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
Anti-Dew Heater Yes
Humidity Sensor* No
Telescope Interface M54/0.75 (with CAA)and M48 (with standard adapter)
Back Focal Length QHY268C: 17.5mm (without CAA)
This intercept does not include CAA. If CAA is used, it increases by 6mm (23.5mm total). Please check the mechanical drawing below for details.
Weigth 780g

Readout Modes and Curves

Multiple Readout Modes is a new function for newer QHY Cameras.  Different readout modes have different driver timing, etc., and result in different performance. The QHY268 currently has four readout modes, and more modes will be added in the future. These readout modes are currently supported in the QHY ASCOM Camera Driver, SharpCAP software and the N.I.N.A software.

Readout Mode #0 (Photographic Mode). In this mode there is a drop in the noise between Gain 25 and Gain 26.  We recommend setting the Gain to 26 to begin.  At this setting the full well is 27ke- and readout noise is 2.7e-.  For every long exposures you can lower the gain from this point to increase the full well capacity.

Readout Mode #1 (High Gain Mode).  Please note there is a HGC/LGC switch point at gain55 to gain56. Gain0-55 uses LGC and Gain55-100 uses HGC.

Readout Mode #2 (Extended Full Well Mode).

Now QHY268 adds #3 mode Extend Full Well 2CMSIT (yellow curve). The advantage of this mode is that it has the same full well value and system gain as the #2 mode Extend Fullwell, but the read noise is reduced by about 1.3 times.

This function needs to be used with 2020.6.26 or newer SDK. If your software cannot display this mode, please download the QHYAllInOne installation package to update the SDK in the software.

 

 

QHY268C contents

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QHY268C APS-C Format 16bit CMOS Colour Camera

SKU: QHY-110058

$3,499.00

Available on back-order

✅ Fast Shipping & Tracking
✅ Stocked in Melbourne, Australia
✅ Expert Advice
✅ Lifetime Technical Support

    Need Expert Advice?

    Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

    Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293

    QHY268C APS-C Format 16bit CMOS Colour Camera

    SKU: QHY-110058

    $3,499.00

    Available on backorder

    With the advantage of low readout noise and high-speed readout, CMOS technology has revolutionized astronomical imaging.  A colour, back-illuminated, high-sensitivity, astronomical imaging camera is the ideal choice for astro-imagers.

    The QHY268C is a back-illuminated CMOS camera with true 16-bit A/D and 3.76um pixels.  This Sony IMX571 sensor is an ideal CMOS sensor exhibiting no amplifier glow. 16-bit A/D gives high resolution sampling of the whole full well range.  Digitizing 0-65535 levels yields a smooth image with continuous gradation of greyscale levels.

    Note that since January 2023, the front end of the QHY268C has been made the same as its monochrome sibling, the QHY268M. The camera now uses six bolts to connect to the component next to it.

    1GB DDR3 image buffer

    In order to provide smooth uninterrupted data transfer of the entire 26MP sensor at high speed, the QHY268 has 1GB DDR3 image buffer. The pixel count of the latest generation of CMOS sensors is very high resulting in greater memory requirements for temporary and permanent storage.  The QHY268 has adopted a large-capacity memory of up to 1GB.  Data throughput is doubled. This large image buffer meets the needs of high-speed image acquisition and transmission of the new generation of CMOS, making shooting of multiple frames smoother and less stuttered, further reducing the pressure on the computer CPU.

    Extended Full Well Capacity and Multiple Read Modes

    With a pixel size of 3.76um, these sensors already have an impressive full well capacity of 51ke.  Nevertheless, QHYCCD has implemented a unique approach to achieve a full well capacity higher than 51ke- through innovative user controllable read mode settings.  In extended full well readout mode, the QHY268 can achieve nearly 75ke-.  Greater full-well capacity provides greater dynamic range and large variations in magnitude of brightness are less likely to saturate.

    Native 16-bit A/D

    The new Sony sensor has native 16-bit A/D on-chip. The output is real 16-bits with 65536 levels. Compared to 12-bit and 14-bit A/D, a 16-bit A/D yields higher sample resolution and the system gain will be less than 1e-/ADU with no sample error noise and very low read noise.

    BSI

    One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor. In the back- illuminated sensor the light is allowed to enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons and hence the more sensitive the sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.

    Zero Amp Glow

    This is also a zero-amplifier glow camera.

    TRUE RAW Data

    In the DSLR implementation there is a RAW image output, but typically it is not completely RAW.  Some evidence of noise reduction and hot pixel removal is still visible on close inspection.  This can have a negative effect on the image for astronomy such as the “star eater” effect.  However,  QHY Cameras offer TRUE RAW IMAGE OUTPUT and produces an image comprised of the original signal only, thereby maintaining the maximum flexibility for post-acquisition astronomical image processing programs and other scientific imaging applications.

    Anti-Dew Technology

    Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, The QHY cooled camera has implemented the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has built-in dew heater and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.

    Cooling

    In addition to dual stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark current noise.

    Model QHY268C
    CMOS Sensor Sony IMX571 C
    Mono/Color Color
    FSI/BSI BSI
    Pixel Size 3.76um x 3.76um
    Effective Pixel Area 6280*4210 (includes the optically black area and overscan area)
    Effective Pixels 26MP
    Sensor Size APS-C
    A/D Sample Depth

     

    Native 16-bit (0-65535 greyscale) A/D
    Full Well Capacity (1×1, 2×2, 3×3) 51ke-
    75ke- or above in extended full well mode
    Full Frame Rate USB3.0 Port:
    Full Resolution  6.8FPS  @8BIT         6FPS @16BIT
    2048lines         13.6FPS  @8BIT     11.5FPS@16BIT
    1080lines         25.4FPS  @8BIT     19.5FPS@16BIT
    768lines           35FPS     @8BIT        25FPS@16BIT
    480lines           50FPS     @8BIT        34FPS@16BIT
    Readout Noise 1.1e- High Gain,

    3.5e- Low Gain

    (5.3e- to 7.4e- in extended full well mode)

    Dark Current -20C,0.0005e /pixel/sec

    -10C,0.001e /pixel/sec

    Exposure Time Range 30us-3600sec
    Unity Gain* 0(PH Mode)

    30(Extended Full Well Mode)

    *With the improvement of the CMOS technology, the 16bit CMOS camera has been released, like QHY600/268/411/461. For these cameras, even in lowest gain it has beyond the requirement of unit gain (less than 1e/ADU due to sufficient samples) So you can directly set gain0 as start. Please note QHY600/268C/411/461 has extend full well mode. In this mode you still need to find out the unit gain position.

    Amp Control Zero Amplifer Glow
    Firmware/FPGA remote Upgrade Fully support via Camera USB port
    Shutter Type Electronic Shutter
    Computer Interface USB3.0
    Built-in Image Buffer 1GByte DDR3 Memory
    Cooling System Two-stage TEC cooler

    Less than 1S lower than ambient temperature -30C in continuous mode

    More than 1S continuous mode or lower than ambient temperature -35C in single frame mode

    (Test temperature +20°)

    Optic Window Type AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
    Anti-Dew Heater Yes
    Humidity Sensor* No
    Telescope Interface M54/0.75 (with CAA)and M48 (with standard adapter)
    Back Focal Length QHY268C: 17.5mm (without CAA)
    This intercept does not include CAA. If CAA is used, it increases by 6mm (23.5mm total). Please check the mechanical drawing below for details.
    Weigth 780g

    Readout Modes and Curves

    Multiple Readout Modes is a new function for newer QHY Cameras.  Different readout modes have different driver timing, etc., and result in different performance. The QHY268 currently has four readout modes, and more modes will be added in the future. These readout modes are currently supported in the QHY ASCOM Camera Driver, SharpCAP software and the N.I.N.A software.

    Readout Mode #0 (Photographic Mode). In this mode there is a drop in the noise between Gain 25 and Gain 26.  We recommend setting the Gain to 26 to begin.  At this setting the full well is 27ke- and readout noise is 2.7e-.  For every long exposures you can lower the gain from this point to increase the full well capacity.

    Readout Mode #1 (High Gain Mode).  Please note there is a HGC/LGC switch point at gain55 to gain56. Gain0-55 uses LGC and Gain55-100 uses HGC.

    Readout Mode #2 (Extended Full Well Mode).

    Now QHY268 adds #3 mode Extend Full Well 2CMSIT (yellow curve). The advantage of this mode is that it has the same full well value and system gain as the #2 mode Extend Fullwell, but the read noise is reduced by about 1.3 times.

    This function needs to be used with 2020.6.26 or newer SDK. If your software cannot display this mode, please download the QHYAllInOne installation package to update the SDK in the software.

     

     

    QHY268C contents

    Reviews

    There are no reviews yet.

    Be the first to review “QHY268C APS-C Format 16bit CMOS Colour Camera”

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Need Expert Advice?

      Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

      Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293