QHY CMOS camera model QHY5III174M monochrome

The QHY5III174 planetary and guidance camera has a 1/1.2-inch SONY Exmore IMX174 CMOS and global shutter. The large sensor size is a great choice for solar imaging and large pixel size and high QE. Typical of all QHY5III series models, this camera produces high frame rate with USB 3.0 interface, 138 frames per second at full resolution, up to 490 FPS at selected ROI.

QHY 5III cameras, best in class!

QHY 5III cameras with their integrated amp-control circuitry significantly avoid amplifier noise.

Comparison QHY 178M and ASI 178 . In this image, taken with the same exposure time and at the same temperature, it is clear how the amp-control of the QHY cameras considerably reduces amplifier and thermal noise.



The QHY5III174camera CMOS USB 3.0. It is designed to be an excellent camera for planetary, lunar, solar and meteor capture. With a 50mm F/1.4 dc lens, stars up to magnitude 8 or 9 can be recorded at 30 frames per second (33ms exposures), in live video. With this high sensitivity and high resolution, video astronomy reaches a new dimension.

Sony's recently introduced Pregius™ technology redefines the CMOS sensor category by achieving the best of both worlds, with CCD-like performance and high acquisition speed. This technology has lower dark noise, which allows higher gains without compromising image quality; it also has higher quantum efficiency.

The global shutter eliminates pixelation effects caused by seeing and high frame rate when photographing the planets and the moon.

The unique QHYCCD design maintains the 1.25″ format. One of the advantages of this design is more efficient heat transfer to the housing, resulting in lower noise especially in high temperature environments. It also offers the shortest possible backfocus, making the camera ideal for off-axis guides. In addition, the QHY5III174 features a LEMO style connector for the guide port; which are very reliable and rugged.

It is well suited for solar photography with short focal telescopes with which the entire solar disk can enter the sensor.

Sample images:

M51 with QHY5III174M Tester, image by Alberic De Bonnevie. 5005 x 2 sec + 2915 x 2.5 sec with 400mm Newton.

M100 with QHY5III174M Tester, image by Alberic De Bonnevie. M100 : 3350 x 3 sec exposures + darks.16″ F/D 4.5 Newtonian.

NGC4631 with QHY5III174M Tester, image by Alberic De Bonnevie.

NASA APOD 【International Space Station, Protuberances, Sun】

Solar photosphere captured using a Lunt Solar Prism , UV/IR Cut filter, Baader Solar Continuum filter combining 2x & 5x Powermate

Technical Specifications:

• CMOS sensor: Sony IMX174 Exmor CMOS (Mono/Color)
• Image Size: Typically 1/1.2inch
• Effective pixels: 1936*1216 2.35mega pixels
• Effective area: 11.34mm*7.13mm
• Pixel Size: 5.86um*5.86um
• Reading type: Progressive scan
• FullWell: >32 Ke
• Peak QE: 78% (monochrome)
• Read noise: 5.3e@Gain0 2.8e@Gain60 1.6e@Gain100
• System Gain: 0.46e-/ADU@Gain0
• Anti-amplight Control: Yes (reduces amplight significantly)
• Shutter: Global Shutter
• Maximum capture speed (8BIT): (*)
  • 138FPS @ 1936*1216
  • 260FPS@960*600
  • 490FPS@480*300
• ADC Sample Depth: 10/12bit, Output 8bit/12bit
• Exposure Time: 5us-900sec
• Pixel Binning: 1×1 2×2
• MicroLens: Yes, micro lenses on sensor
• Guidance Port: Yes, 5-pin LEMO aviation connector
• Back Focal: Approx. 11mm
• Camera Size: 1.25″ eyepiece size (D=31.6mm)
• Optical window: AR+AR(Mono camera) AR+IR cut 680nm (Color)
• Supported software: ASCOM, SharpCAP

(*) As long as the computer supports it

Included accessories