Planetary lucky imaging
47 fps capture supports frame selection and stacking for Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus.
Planetary and guide
G3M678C
ToupTek G3M678C is a planetary astronomy camera using the IMX678 sensor, with 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160), 2 µm pixels and 47 fps. Designed for planetary lucky imaging, lunar surface imaging, one-shot colour planetary imaging. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.
- Sensor
- Sony IMX678 color CMOS
- Sensor Type
- STARVIS 2 back-illuminated color CMOS
- Resolution
- 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160)
- Pixel Size
- 2 µm
- Frame Rate
- 47 fps
- Interface
- USB 3.0
Application context
Why this design is used
Choose the G3M678C when 47 fps acquisition, 2 µm sampling and the IMX678 sensor match your telescope's focal length and seeing conditions.
Lunar surface imaging
2 µm pixels and 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160) resolution support detailed lunar mosaics and close-up imaging.
One-shot colour planetary imaging
The colour IMX678 sensor provides a direct RGB workflow for planets and the Moon.
Solar imaging with approved filtration
Can be used for solar capture only with an appropriate certified solar filter and safe observing setup.
Specifications
G3M678C
34 specification rows
The G3M678C is an astronomy camera in the G3M planetary / guide series, built around a Sony IMX678 color CMOS sensor, 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160) resolution, 2 µm pixels, frame rates up to 47 fps, a USB 3.0 interface. It suits planetary and guide where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.
Sensor & Imaging
| Model | G3M678C |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Application | Planetary and guide |
| Sensor | Sony IMX678 color CMOS |
| Sensor Type | STARVIS 2 back-illuminated color CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.8-inch, 7.7 × 4.3 mm |
| Resolution | 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160) |
| Pixel Size | 2 µm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling shutter |
Performance
| Frame Rate | 47 fps |
|---|---|
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Peak QE | >83% |
| Dynamic Range | 74 dB |
| Read Noise | 2.43–0.42 e⁻ |
| Full Well | 11.6 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 | 8.47mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum SNR | 41dB |
| Frame Buffer | 512MB |
| Protective Window | IR/AR |
| Color Filter Array | RGGB |
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 3.0) | 16-bit: 23.4 FPS @ 3840×2160 8-bit: 47 FPS @ 3840×2160 |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 150× |
| DDR3 Buffer | 512MB (4Gb) |
| 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 G3M678C.
System integration
Integration and compatibility
Use these checks to connect G3M678C 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 IMX678 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS 2 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: 47 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: 74 dB · Read Noise: 2.43–0.42 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 G3M678C
What lens mount is required for the G3M678C?
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 G3M678C use?
Sensor: Sony IMX678 color CMOS · Sensor Type: STARVIS 2 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 G3M678C connect to the acquisition computer?
Frame Rate: 47 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 G3M678C?
Dynamic Range: 74 dB · Read Noise: 2.43–0.42 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 G3M678C
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 G3M678C with the closest available models in the G3M planetary / guide family.
| Selection parameter | G3M678C (current) | G3M664C | G3M678M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX678 color CMOS | Sony IMX664 color CMOS | Sony IMX678 monochrome CMOS |
| Resolution | 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160) | 4.1 MP (2688 × 1520) | 8.3 MP (3840 × 2160) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.8-inch, 7.7 × 4.3 mm | 1/1.8-inch, 7.84 × 4.45 mm | 1/1.8-inch, 7.7 × 4.3 mm |
| Pixel size / frame rate | 2 µm | 2.9 µm | 2 µm |
Other cameras on the IMX678 sensor
The IMX678 appears in 16 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 G3M678C with other G3M planetary / guide models and astronomy cameras in the range.
- G3M664CG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M462MG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M462CG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M662MG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M662CG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M678MG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
