QHY530M PRO II [MONOCHROME]

The QHY530M Pro II is a high-performance monochrome planetary camera designed for demanding astrophotography and astronomical research applications. Equipped with the latest-generation Sony IMX530 BSI CMOS sensor, it offers 24.55-megapixel resolution with 2.74 µm pixels, ideal for capturing fine details in deep, planetary, or solar skies (with the appropriate equipment).

Thanks to its native 12-bit ADC, the camera achieves stunning tonal depth and smooth transitions in light gradients. Its two-stage thermoelectric cooling system reduces the sensor temperature to -35°C below ambient, minimizing thermal noise for long exposures.

The QHY530M PRO is equipped with a global shutter that unlike the common rolling shutter technology used in most CMOS cameras, guarantees a uniform exposure for the whole image area, beginning and ending at exactly the same time. This type of shutter is used to generate undistorted images in high precision applications, specially when the subjects are high speed moving objects and there is atmospheric agitation.

The QHY530M PRO supports charge-domain binning (FD Binning), which compared with other CMOS cameras, is a true hardware pixel binning similar to CCD cameras.

Most CMOS cameras use algorithms for binning with the result of a digital binning. This method has the specific disadvantage of multiplying the noise in the image, not just the signal. When a binning 2 x 2 is used, for example, double of the noise will be introduced, with the result of only a double signal-to-noise ratio, the frame rate can not be improved. On the other side, hardware binning does not amplify additional noise, resulting in a direct  improvement in the SNR. The frame rate can increase a lot even if the ROI function is not activated.

Floating ROI

The QHY530 supports the floating ROI algorithm which is currently in experimental status. When tracking fast-moving celestial objects such as asteroids, satellites, or space stations, the QHY530 can automatically detect the moving targets and adjust the ROI region in real-time to achieve tracking and stabilization effects.

The built-in 10Gbps fiber interface can can work in combination with the QHYCCD PCIE2.0x8 data grabber card. Compared to the USB3.0 interface, you can boost the data transfer from 5Gbps to 10Gbps for each 10Gigabit port, with 800MByte/s effective data rate. When both Gigabit ports are used together, the speed jumps to 1.6GBytes/s. 

Unlike USB 3.0 found on many cameras, fibre offers far greater range and speeds while being impervious to electromagnetic interference. For example, the maximum range of active (powered) USB 3 cables is up to 15 metres. Without an active connection, this reduces to 2-3 metres. By contrast, fibre can extend up to 300 metres without any reduction in speed or reliability. An optional long-distance optical module is also available, extending the length up to 40km.

This camera is an excellent choice for advanced astrophotographers, educational observatories, and scientific institutions requiring high-precision imaging with low noise, high linearity, and superb spectral response.

Specifications

Full Frame Rates

ROI Frame Rates

Downloads

QHY camera drivers