Planetary lucky imaging
60 fps capture supports frame selection and stacking for Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus.
Planetary and guide
G3M290C
ToupTek G3M290C is a planetary astronomy camera using the IMX290 sensor, with 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080), 2.9 µm pixels and 60 fps. Designed for planetary lucky imaging, lunar surface imaging, one-shot colour planetary imaging. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.
- Sensor
- Sony IMX290 color CMOS
- Sensor Type
- STARVIS back-illuminated color CMOS
- Resolution
- 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)
- Pixel Size
- 2.9 µm
- Frame Rate
- 60 fps
- Interface
- USB 3.0
Application context
Why this design is used
Choose the G3M290C when 60 fps acquisition, 2.9 µm sampling and the IMX290 sensor match your telescope's focal length and seeing conditions.
Lunar surface imaging
2.9 µm pixels and 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) resolution support detailed lunar mosaics and close-up imaging.
One-shot colour planetary imaging
The colour IMX290 sensor provides a direct RGB workflow for planets and the Moon.
High-speed solar and occultation capture
Fast acquisition supports brief events and solar imaging when the telescope uses a correctly specified solar filter.
Specifications
G3M290C
30 specification rows
The G3M290C is an astronomy camera in the G3M planetary / guide series, built around a Sony IMX290 color CMOS sensor, 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) resolution, 2.9 µm pixels, frame rates up to 60 fps, a USB 3.0 interface. It suits planetary and guide where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.
Sensor & Imaging
| Model | G3M290C |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Application | Planetary and guide |
| Sensor | Sony IMX290 color CMOS |
| Sensor Type | STARVIS back-illuminated color CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm |
| Resolution | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) |
| Pixel Size | 2.9 µm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling shutter |
Performance
| Frame Rate | 60 fps |
|---|---|
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Peak QE | >81% |
| Dynamic Range | 82 dB |
| Read Noise | 3.2–1.0 e⁻ |
| Full Well | 11.2 ke⁻ |
| Spectral Range | 380–690 nm |
Interface & Thermal
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Mount | 1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / C-mount |
| Cooling | Passive cooling |
Additional Published Specifications
| Sensor Diagonal | 6.39mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum SNR | 40dB |
| Protective Window | IR/AR |
| Color Filter Array | RGGB |
| Maximum Frame Rate | 60 FPS @ 1920×1080 (USB 3.0) |
| Camera Adapter | Standard 1.25" outer diameter for telescope Standard C adapter for industrial lens |
| Back Focus Distance | 17.5mm with C adapter 12.5mm with CS adapter |
| Camera Dimensions | Diameter 37mm × Height 72.4mm |
| Weight | 70 grams |
| Supported OS | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 Mac OS X, Linux |
| SDK Support | Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc. |
Technical media
Performance graphs and technical drawings
Official sensor-response, performance, and mechanical imagery for the G3M290C.
System integration
Integration and compatibility
Use these checks to connect G3M290C 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: 1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / C-mount
- 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 IMX290 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS back-illuminated 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: 60 fps · Interface: USB 3.0
- 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: 82 dB · Read Noise: 3.2–1.0 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 G3M290C
What lens mount is required for the G3M290C?
Mount: 1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / C-mount. 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 G3M290C use?
Sensor: Sony IMX290 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS back-illuminated 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 G3M290C connect to the acquisition computer?
Frame Rate: 60 fps · Interface: USB 3.0. 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 G3M290C?
Dynamic Range: 82 dB · Read Noise: 3.2–1.0 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.
Zoom lenses for the G3M290C
See which of our C-mount zoom lenses suit this sensor, with the field of view, µm per pixel and depth of field at each zoom setting.
Model selection
Nearby series comparison
Compare G3M290C with the closest available models in the G3M planetary / guide family.
| Selection parameter | G3M290C (current) | G3M224C | G3M290M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX290 color CMOS | Sony IMX224 color CMOS | Sony IMX290 monochrome CMOS |
| Resolution | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) | 1.2 MP (1280 × 960) | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm | 1/3-inch, 4.9 × 3.7 mm | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm |
| Pixel size / frame rate | 2.9 µm | 3.75 µm | 2.9 µm |
Other cameras on the IMX290 sensor
The IMX290 appears in 5 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 G3M290C with other G3M planetary / guide models and astronomy cameras in the range.
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