Planetary lucky imaging
58.6 fps capture supports frame selection and stacking for Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus.
Planetary and guide
G3M178C
ToupTek G3M178C is a planetary astronomy camera using the IMX178 sensor, with 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048), 2.4 µm pixels and 58.6 fps. Designed for planetary lucky imaging, lunar surface imaging, one-shot colour planetary imaging. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.
- Sensor
- Sony IMX178 color CMOS
- Sensor Type
- STARVIS back-illuminated color CMOS
- Resolution
- 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048)
- Pixel Size
- 2.4 µm
- Frame Rate
- 58.6 fps
- Interface
- USB 3.0
Application context
Why this design is used
Choose the G3M178C when 58.6 fps acquisition, 2.4 µm sampling and the IMX178 sensor match your telescope's focal length and seeing conditions.
Lunar surface imaging
2.4 µm pixels and 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048) resolution support detailed lunar mosaics and close-up imaging.
One-shot colour planetary imaging
The colour IMX178 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
G3M178C
32 specification rows
The G3M178C is an astronomy camera in the G3M planetary / guide series, built around a Sony IMX178 color CMOS sensor, 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048) resolution, 2.4 µm pixels, frame rates up to 58.6 fps, a USB 3.0 interface. It suits planetary and guide where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.
Sensor & Imaging
| Model | G3M178C |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Application | Planetary and guide |
| Sensor | Sony IMX178 color CMOS |
| Sensor Type | STARVIS back-illuminated color CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.8-inch, 7.4 × 5.0 mm |
| Resolution | 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048) |
| Pixel Size | 2.4 µm |
| Shutter Type | Rolling shutter |
Performance
| Frame Rate | 58.6 fps |
|---|---|
| ADC | 14-bit |
| Peak QE | >81% |
| Dynamic Range | 82 dB |
| Read Noise | 2.2–1.4 e⁻ |
| Full Well | 10.7 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 | 8.92mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum SNR | 40dB |
| Protective Window | IR/AR |
| Color Filter Array | RGGB |
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 3.0) | 14-bit: 29.1 FPS @ 3040×2048 8-bit: 58.6 FPS @ 3040×2048 |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 3600s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 100× |
| Camera Adapter | Standard 1.25" for telescope connection 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 G3M178C.
System integration
Integration and compatibility
Use these checks to connect G3M178C 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 IMX178 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: 58.6 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: 2.2–1.4 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 G3M178C
What lens mount is required for the G3M178C?
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 G3M178C use?
Sensor: Sony IMX178 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 G3M178C connect to the acquisition computer?
Frame Rate: 58.6 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 G3M178C?
Dynamic Range: 82 dB · Read Noise: 2.2–1.4 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 G3M178C
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 G3M178C with the closest available models in the G3M planetary / guide family.
| Selection parameter | G3M178C (current) | G3M178M | G3M2210C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX178 color CMOS | Sony IMX178 monochrome CMOS | SmartSens SC2210 color CMOS |
| Resolution | 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048) | 6.2 MP (3040 × 2048) | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.8-inch, 7.4 × 5.0 mm | 1/1.8-inch, 7.4 × 5.0 mm | 1/1.8-inch, 7.68 × 4.32 mm |
| Pixel size / frame rate | 2.4 µm | 2.4 µm | 4 µm |
Other cameras on the IMX178 sensor
The IMX178 appears in 14 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 G3M178C with other G3M planetary / guide models and astronomy cameras in the range.
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