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Guide camera

GPM462C

ToupTek GPM462C is a astronomy guide camera using the IMX462 sensor, with 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080), 2.9 µm pixels and 17.8 fps. Designed for telescope autoguiding, guide-scope and off-axis guiding, long-exposure tracking. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.

Sensor
Sony IMX462 color CMOS
Sensor Type
Back-illuminated color CMOS
Resolution
2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)
Pixel Size
2.9 µm
Frame Rate
17.8 fps
Interface
USB 2.0 + ST4
GPM462C

Application context

Why this design is used

Choose the GPM462C when you need a compact IMX462-based guider with USB 2.0 + ST4, 2.9 µm pixels and 380–690 nm response.

Telescope autoguiding

USB 2.0 + ST4 connectivity supports guide corrections during long-exposure astrophotography.

Guide-scope and off-axis guiding

1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / CS-mount compatibility suits compact guide scopes and appropriately adapted off-axis guiders.

Long-exposure tracking

IMX462 sensitivity helps maintain stable star centroids for deep-sky imaging sessions.

Lunar and planetary acquisition

2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) capture provides a secondary short-exposure imaging role in compact telescope systems.

Specifications

GPM462C

36 specification rows

The GPM462C is an astronomy camera in the GPM guide series, built around a Sony IMX462 color CMOS sensor, 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) resolution, 2.9 µm pixels, frame rates up to 17.8 fps, a USB 2.0 + ST4 interface. It suits guide camera where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.

Sensor & Imaging

ModelGPM462C
StatusCurrent
ApplicationGuide camera
SensorSony IMX462 color CMOS
Sensor TypeBack-illuminated color CMOS
Sensor Size1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm
Resolution2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)
Pixel Size2.9 µm
Shutter TypeRolling shutter

Performance

Frame Rate17.8 fps
ADC12-bit
Peak QE>89%
Dynamic Range74.1 dB
Read Noise2.4–0.76 e⁻
Full Well12.7 ke⁻
Spectral Range380–690 nm

Interface & Thermal

InterfaceUSB 2.0 + ST4
Mount1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / CS-mount
CoolingPassive cooling

Additional Published Specifications

Sensor Diagonal6.39mm
Maximum SNR41dB
Back Focal Distance / AdapterYes
Protective WindowIR/AR
Color Filter ArrayRGGB
Maximum Frame Rate (USB 2.0)12-bit: 8.9 FPS @ 1920×1080 8-bit: 17.8 FPS @ 1920×1080
Exposure Time Range0.1ms - 1000s
Gain Range1× - 500×
Frame BufferBuilt-in
Gain ModesHCG/LCG dual mode switching
Guide InterfaceBuilt-in ST4 autoguider port
Camera AdapterStandard 1.25-inch for telescope connection Standard C adapter for industrial lens
Back Focal Distance8.5mm (17.5mm with C-mount, 12.5mm with CS-mount)
External DimensionsDiameter 37mm × Height 72.4mm
Weight70 grams
Supported SystemsWindows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X, Linux
SDK SupportNative 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 GPM462C.

IMX462 Color Spectral Sensitivity Characteristic
IMX462 Color Spectral Sensitivity Characteristic
LCG Mode Performance Curve - e/ADU, Read Noise, Full Well and Dynamic Range
LCG Mode Performance Curve - e/ADU, Read Noise, Full Well and Dynamic Range
ST4 Guide Interface
ST4 Guide Interface

System integration

Integration and compatibility

Use these checks to connect GPM462C 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 / CS-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 IMX462 color CMOS · Sensor Type: 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: 17.8 fps · Interface: USB 2.0 + ST4
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: 74.1 dB · Read Noise: 2.4–0.76 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 GPM462C

What lens mount is required for the GPM462C?

Mount: 1.25-inch telescope nosepiece / CS-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 GPM462C use?

Sensor: Sony IMX462 color CMOS · Sensor Type: 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 GPM462C connect to the acquisition computer?

Frame Rate: 17.8 fps · Interface: USB 2.0 + ST4. 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 GPM462C?

Dynamic Range: 74.1 dB · Read Noise: 2.4–0.76 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.

Open camera finder

Zoom lenses for the GPM462C

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 GPM462C with the closest available models in the GPM guide family.

Selection parameterGPM462C (current)GPM174MGPM462M
SensorSony IMX462 color CMOSSony IMX249 monochrome CMOSSony IMX462 monochrome CMOS
Resolution2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)2.3 MP (1920 × 1200)2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)
Sensor size1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm1/1.2-inch, 11.3 × 7.03 mm1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm
Pixel size / frame rate2.9 µm5.86 µm2.9 µm

Other cameras on the IMX462 sensor

The IMX462 appears in 7 models across the catalogue, differing in cooling, shutter, interface and colour filter. Compare them side by side before settling on a variant.