Planetary and lunar imaging
31 fps full-resolution capture and hardware ROI support short-exposure imaging of bright Solar System targets.
Multi-purpose astronomy
AE676C
ToupTek AE676C is a multi-purpose astronomy camera using the IMX676 sensor, with 12.5 MP (3536 × 3536), 2 µm pixels and 31 fps. Designed for planetary and lunar imaging, milky way and light deep-sky imaging, meteor and all-sky monitoring. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.
- Sensor
- Sony IMX676 color CMOS
- Sensor Type
- STARVIS 2 square-format color CMOS
- Resolution
- 12.5 MP (3536 × 3536)
- Pixel Size
- 2 µm
- Frame Rate
- 31 fps
- Interface
- USB 3.0 Type-C
Application context
Why this design is used
Choose the AE676C when one compact camera must cover planetary, lunar, sky-monitoring and lighter deep-sky workflows with 12.5 MP (3536 × 3536) resolution.
Milky Way and light deep-sky imaging
1/1.6-inch square, 7.07 × 7.07 mm square-format coverage and single-stage TEC; detachable fan, ΔT up to 20 °C support flexible wide-field compositions.
Meteor and all-sky monitoring
The square sensor format simplifies framing for sky-monitoring, meteor detection and mosaic workflows.
Solar imaging with approved filtration
Suitable for high-frame-rate solar capture only when used with a correctly specified, certified solar filter.
Specifications
AE676C
28 specification rows
The AE676C is an astronomy camera in the AstroEye multi-purpose series, built around a Sony IMX676 color CMOS sensor, 12.5 MP (3536 × 3536) resolution, 2 µm pixels, frame rates up to 31 fps, a USB 3.0 Type-C interface. It suits multi-purpose astronomy where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.
Sensor & Imaging
| Model | AE676C |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Application | Multi-purpose astronomy |
| Sensor | Sony IMX676 color CMOS |
| Sensor Type | STARVIS 2 square-format color CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.6-inch square, 7.07 × 7.07 mm |
| Resolution | 12.5 MP (3536 × 3536) |
| Pixel Size | 2 µm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling shutter |
Performance
| Frame Rate | 31 fps |
|---|---|
| ADC | 12-bit / 16-bit HDR |
| Peak QE | >83% |
| Dynamic Range | 69.7 dB |
| Read Noise | 3.79–1.01 e⁻ |
| Full Well | 11.536 ke⁻ |
| Spectral Range | 400–1100 nm |
Interface & Thermal
| Interface | USB 3.0 Type-C |
|---|---|
| Mount | CS / C / M42 / 1.25-inch adapters |
| Cooling | Single-stage TEC; detachable fan, ΔT up to 20 °C |
Additional Published Specifications
| Sensor Diagonal | 1/1.6" |
|---|---|
| Frame Buffer | 512MB |
| Back Focal Distance / Adapter | 6.5mm/12.5mm/17.5mm |
| Protective Window | AR |
| Color Filter Array | RGGB |
| Output Mode | 16bit HDR |
| Gain Modes | HCG/LCG/HDR |
| Temperature Stability | ±0.1°C in fanless constant-temperature operation |
| Maximum Frame Rate | Up to 993 FPS at reduced resolution in 8-bit mode |
Technical media
Performance graphs and technical drawings
Official sensor-response, performance, and mechanical imagery for the AE676C.
System integration
Integration and compatibility
Use these checks to connect AE676C to the surrounding optical, mechanical and control system. Every value shown is taken from this model's own specification record.
- Lens and microscope interface
- Mount: CS / C / M42 / 1.25-inch adapters
- Use a lens image circle that covers the sensor and check flange distance before adding C/CS, F-mount or M42 adapters.
- Sensor and sampling
- Sensor: Sony IMX676 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS 2 square-format color CMOS
- Match pixel pitch to the diffraction-limited spot the optics deliver. Sampling finer than the optics resolve multiplies data volume without adding information; sampling coarser discards resolution you have paid for.
- Interface and data rate
- Frame Rate: 31 fps · Interface: USB 3.0 Type-C
- Confirm the host can sustain the interface bandwidth continuously, not in burst. A camera that outruns the write path stalls acquisition rather than dropping quietly to a lower rate.
- Cooling and noise floor
- Dynamic Range: 69.7 dB · Read Noise: 3.79–1.01 e⁻
- Judge these figures at the exposure time you will actually use. Cooling matters where dark current accumulates over seconds; read noise dominates short exposures where it never does.
Technical FAQ
Integration questions for AE676C
What lens mount is required for the AE676C?
Mount: CS / C / M42 / 1.25-inch adapters. Use a lens image circle that covers the sensor and check flange distance before adding C/CS, F-mount or M42 adapters.
What sensor and pixel pitch does the AE676C use?
Sensor: Sony IMX676 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS 2 square-format color CMOS. Match pixel pitch to the diffraction-limited spot the optics deliver. Sampling finer than the optics resolve multiplies data volume without adding information; sampling coarser discards resolution you have paid for.
How does the AE676C connect to the acquisition computer?
Frame Rate: 31 fps · Interface: USB 3.0 Type-C. Confirm the host can sustain the interface bandwidth continuously, not in burst. A camera that outruns the write path stalls acquisition rather than dropping quietly to a lower rate.
What is the noise performance of the AE676C?
Dynamic Range: 69.7 dB · Read Noise: 3.79–1.01 e⁻. Judge these figures at the exposure time you will actually use. Cooling matters where dark current accumulates over seconds; read noise dominates short exposures where it never does.
Need help choosing?
Tell us your sensor, resolution, spectral range, frame-rate, interface, and software requirements and we will confirm the matching configuration and lead time.
Other cameras on the IMX676 sensor
The IMX676 appears in 4 models across the catalogue, differing in cooling, shutter, interface and colour filter. Compare them side by side before settling on a variant.
Related astronomy cameras
Compare the AE676C with other AstroEye multi-purpose models and astronomy cameras in the range.
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