Planetary lucky imaging
152 fps capture supports frame selection and stacking for Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus.
Planetary and guide
G3M462M
ToupTek G3M462M is a planetary astronomy camera using the IMX462 sensor, with 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080), 2.9 µm pixels and 152 fps. Designed for planetary lucky imaging, lunar surface imaging, narrowband and near-infrared imaging. Available from Precisometer for professional astronomy systems.
- Sensor
- Sony IMX462 monochrome CMOS
- Sensor Type
- Back-illuminated monochrome CMOS
- Resolution
- 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)
- Pixel Size
- 2.9 µm
- Frame Rate
- 152 fps
- Interface
- USB 3.0
Application context
Why this design is used
Choose the G3M462M when 152 fps acquisition, 2.9 µm sampling and the IMX462 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.
Narrowband and near-infrared imaging
380–1100 nm monochrome response supports filter-based seeing control and contrast enhancement.
High-speed solar and occultation capture
Fast acquisition supports brief events and solar imaging when the telescope uses a correctly specified solar filter.
Specifications
G3M462M
34 specification rows
The G3M462M is an astronomy camera in the G3M planetary / guide series, built around a Sony IMX462 monochrome CMOS sensor, 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) resolution, 2.9 µm pixels, frame rates up to 152 fps, a USB 3.0 interface. It suits planetary and guide where reliable imaging performance and interface compatibility matter.
Sensor & Imaging
| Model | G3M462M |
|---|---|
| Status | Current |
| Application | Planetary and guide |
| Sensor | Sony IMX462 monochrome CMOS |
| Sensor Type | Back-illuminated monochrome 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 | 152 fps |
|---|---|
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Peak QE | >89% |
| Dynamic Range | 75 dB |
| Read Noise | 2.1–0.49 e⁻ |
| Full Well | 11.8 ke⁻ |
| Spectral Range | 380–1100 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 | 41dB |
| Frame Buffer | 512MB |
| Protective Window | IR/AR |
| Color Filter Array | RGGB |
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 3.0) | 12-bit: 76.1 FPS @ 1920×1080 8-bit: 152 FPS @ 1920×1080 |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.1ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 150× |
| DDR3 Buffer | 512MB (4Gb) |
| 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 (optional) |
| 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 G3M462M.
System integration
Integration and compatibility
Use these checks to connect G3M462M 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 IMX462 monochrome CMOS · Sensor Type: Back-illuminated monochrome 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: 152 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: 75 dB · Read Noise: 2.1–0.49 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 G3M462M
What lens mount is required for the G3M462M?
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 G3M462M use?
Sensor: Sony IMX462 monochrome CMOS · Sensor Type: Back-illuminated monochrome 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 G3M462M connect to the acquisition computer?
Frame Rate: 152 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 G3M462M?
Dynamic Range: 75 dB · Read Noise: 2.1–0.49 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 G3M462M
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 G3M462M with the closest available models in the G3M planetary / guide family.
| Selection parameter | G3M462M (current) | G3M462C | G3M662C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX462 monochrome CMOS | Sony IMX462 color CMOS | Sony IMX662 color CMOS |
| Resolution | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) | 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm | 1/2.8-inch, 5.57 × 3.13 mm |
| Pixel size / frame rate | 2.9 µm | 2.9 µm | 2.9 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.
Related astronomy cameras
Compare the G3M462M with other G3M planetary / guide models and astronomy cameras in the range.
- G3M664CG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M462CG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
- G3M662MG3M planetary / guide · Astronomy CamerasPlanetary and guide
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