The ToupTek G3M 178C color camera is a highly sensitive astrophotography camera featuring a back-illuminated sensor and exceptionally low noise levels (just 2.2e at 0 gain), making it ideal for astrophotographers capturing both planets and deep-sky objects.
Featuring a Sony IMX178 back-illuminated sensor, this camera uses the same sensor as the ZWO ASI 178 color camera. However, this model does not have a UV/IR cut filter in front of the sensor, allowing it to be used in these wavelength ranges as well. Another difference is that, instead of a T2 connection, the camera can be inserted directly into a 1.25" focuser, making it more practical for use as an autoguider camera. Thanks to its standard C-mount connection, the camera can also be used directly with optional C-mount lenses (and even as a microscope camera with a suitable adapter).
It is an excellent choice not only for capturing the Sun, Moon and planets, but also for imaging deep-sky objects. It also performs well as a guide camera, which is why the camera body includes an ST4 port.
The sensor measures 7.4 x 5.0 mm and has a resolution of 3096 x 2080 pixels, making it a 6.4-megapixel camera capable of an impressive 14-bit color depth. To handle this extensive color depth, the camera uses a USB 3.0 connection, and sufficiently powerful hardware is also required on the computer side.
When used as a solar, lunar or planetary camera, an important feature is that it records video at 30 fps at full resolution with 14-bit color depth, producing a large number of frames in just one minute—the foundation of successful planetary images. At a lower resolution (1520 x 1024), this can be increased to as much as 58 fps! When imaging deep-sky objects, the 14-bit color depth and small 2.4-micron pixel size contribute to rendering fine details and enable higher-quality post-processing.
A wide range of free image capture software is available online. For Windows, we particularly recommend SharpCap and FireCapture, although the camera also works excellently with the manufacturer's own software, ToupSky. The popular PHD2 software also supports the camera, while the ASCOM driver provides even broader device compatibility. The camera can be used with Windows, Linux and even Macintosh operating systems.
Package contents:
- ToupTek G3M 178C color camera
- USB cable (2 m)
- ST-4 cable (2 m)
- C-mount / 1.25" adapter
