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Planetary camera recommendation for pairing with SLOAN/UGRIZ filters

Equipment Planetary Camera Buying Advice
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clickade avatar
clickade avatar
I'm looking into procuring an astro camera (preferably from ZWO because I use an ASIAIR) that has high sensitivity outside the visual spectrum so I can perform tests with SLOAN/UGRIZ filters and maybe some spectroscopy work on the side. I will be focusing on planetary AP initially and will move on to DSOs.

From comparing the various cameras sold ZWO, I have settled on either ASI678MM or ASI585MM Pro, mainly for the following factors:

ASI678MM
+ Higher sensitivity in the NIR range
+ Smaller pixels at 2u
- No cooled option



ASI585MM Pro
+ Cooled
- Lower sensitivity in the NIR range
- Larger pixels at 2.9u



There is technically a third option, the ASI990/991MM Pro but at USD9,800-USD14,900, large pixels, tiny resolution and high read noise, this is way outside my budget with very little ROI. Although I must admit the QE graph looks very alluring with an average of ~65% between the 400nm and 1650nm range.

For my current setup, I own the ASI174MM and ASI2600MM Pro cameras but they underperform outside of the visual wavelengths.

Any thoughts on the above options? Maybe there is a non-ZWO camera that will fit my needs, but since most astro camera sensors are basically from the same source and make, it may be of little difference.
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andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
You don't say what this is all about. Is that direct imaging of planetary bodies or what?
clickade avatar
clickade avatar
andrea tasselli:
You don't say what this is all about. Is that direct imaging of planetary bodies or what?

Yes, as stated in the original post it will be for planetary AP initially but I will move on to DSOs later on.
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Then the question would be: with what, scope wise.
clickade avatar
clickade avatar
I'll be using a C11 for planets. FSQ-85 for larger targets like the moon. Depending on the sensor pixel size then adding a proper PowerMate or Barlow lens to optimise the focal ratio.

With glass elements there is chromatic aberration to deal with but that is not of great concern to me for now.
Tobiasz avatar
Tobiasz avatar

For planetary work both sensors might work well, but if you are planning to do cooled DSO astrophotography later on then there is only one choice in my opinion (IMX585).

Abdul Rasyid Sapuan · Aug 18, 2025, 06:48 AM

[…]but since most astro camera sensors are basically from the same source and make, it may be of little difference.

I would be careful with such a statement. Yes, the sensors are all the same (obviously), but vendors like ZWO, QHY, Touptek and PlayerOne do build their own hard- and software around it. Especially the software implementation of the IMX585 varies heavily between the vendors, because the sensor performance is dependent on the HDR mode.

If you look at the LCG/HCG performance alone the IMX585 looks like a classic example of an NIR-enhanced Starvis sensor to you. But if you use the HDR mode, it will turn the sensor performance from good to super great. Why? Dynamic range.

QHY states they can achieve a full well capacity of 46k electrons with 1e read noise in their “linearity HDR" mode” implementation of the HDR mode. We’re talking about 15,5 stops of dynamic range here.

Touptek and vendor-branded versions sourced from Touptek (e.g. TS, OMEGON, OGMA, ALTAIR, RISINGCAM, …) achieve 28k electrons with 0,7-1e read noise. That’s around 14,8 stops of DR. I can verify it because I own the ATR585M from Touptek and tested it via Sharpcap numerous times.

I think PlayerOne will release their own HDR mode for their IMX585 camera soon. As far as I know there is no information @ZWO about the HDR mode or if they are developing it.

What I am trying to describe here is that a hardware sensor is nothing without its software and depending on the implementation it can get you an underwhelming sensor (ZWO) or a sensitive powerhouse with ridiculously low read noise (0,7e - 1e) while packing a punch with 28-46k electrons full well capacity (Touptek, QHY).

I was in contact with Touptek and they are working on future firmware updates to further enhance the HDR performance of the ATR585M, which means the sensor performance you buy right now WILL get better in the future. As you can see software can make a HUGE difference here.

Regards
Tobi

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clickade avatar
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Tobiasz · Aug 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

I would be careful with such a statement. Yes, the sensors are all the same (obviously), but vendors like ZWO, QHY, Touptek and PlayerOne do build their own hard- and software around it. Especially the software implementation of the IMX585 varies heavily between the vendors, because the sensor performance is dependent on the HDR mode.

Ah, I wasn’t aware that there there was software “overclocking” per se for the same sensor model. That’s a fair point.

Tobiasz · Aug 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

QHY states they can achieve a full well capacity of 46k electrons with 1e read noise in their “linearity HDR" mode” implementation of the HDR mode. We’re talking about 15,5 stops of dynamic range here.

Touptek and vendor-branded versions sourced from Touptek (e.g. TS, OMEGON, OGMA, ALTAIR, RISINGCAM, …) achieve 28k electrons with 0,7-1e read noise. That’s around 14,8 stops of DR. I can verify it because I own the ATR585M from Touptek and tested it via Sharpcap numerous times.

I think PlayerOne will release their own HDR mode for their IMX585 camera soon. As far as I know there is no information @ZWO about the HDR mode or if they are developing it.

This alone convinces me that it’s worth breaking out of the ZWO ecosystem; I’d rank performance over convenience any day.

Thanks for the information, Tobi, it was very helpful. I’ll look beyond the standard graphs and start parsing the software calibration portion of each product page.

Cheers.

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I agree with Tubiasz. I have been using the Touptek 585m and am really impressed with the HDR mode. I have used both versions of the 585, ZWO and Toupek and Touptek with HDR wins hands down. What’s even better, you can get it bundled with filters and an 8 position filter wheel for under a grand.

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Tobiasz avatar
Tobiasz avatar

clickade · Aug 18, 2025, 12:38 PM

Tobiasz · Aug 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

I would be careful with such a statement. Yes, the sensors are all the same (obviously), but vendors like ZWO, QHY, Touptek and PlayerOne do build their own hard- and software around it. Especially the software implementation of the IMX585 varies heavily between the vendors, because the sensor performance is dependent on the HDR mode.

Ah, I wasn’t aware that there there was software “overclocking” per se for the same sensor model. That’s a fair point.

Tobiasz · Aug 18, 2025, 11:46 AM

QHY states they can achieve a full well capacity of 46k electrons with 1e read noise in their “linearity HDR" mode” implementation of the HDR mode. We’re talking about 15,5 stops of dynamic range here.

Touptek and vendor-branded versions sourced from Touptek (e.g. TS, OMEGON, OGMA, ALTAIR, RISINGCAM, …) achieve 28k electrons with 0,7-1e read noise. That’s around 14,8 stops of DR. I can verify it because I own the ATR585M from Touptek and tested it via Sharpcap numerous times.

I think PlayerOne will release their own HDR mode for their IMX585 camera soon. As far as I know there is no information @ZWO about the HDR mode or if they are developing it.

This alone convinces me that it’s worth breaking out of the ZWO ecosystem; I’d rank performance over convenience any day.

Thanks for the information, Tobi, it was very helpful. I’ll look beyond the standard graphs and start parsing the software calibration portion of each product page.

Cheers.

Sony describes the HDR mode in further detail on their website. It’s called “ClearHDR” mode and it’s pretty neat.

If you are thinking about looking at other solutions, then Windows + NINA or Linux +Kstars/Ekos is the way to go in my opinion. You have almost no cost besides the windows key and most of the functions are plug and play. I use both (NINA/Kstars) and can recommend both. Currently I prefer Linux and Kstars because of the performance + ease of use, but I am still in the testing phase. Windows + NINA is the “ol’ reliable” but I am annoyed how slow and bloated Windows 11 is.

The ZWO ecosystem is the perfect gateway drug into the hobby and really easy to use for beginners. That’s the reason why it’s so popular.

Regards
Tobi

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Tony Gondola · Aug 18, 2025, 01:16 PM

I agree with Tubiasz. I have been using the Touptek 585m and am really impressed with the HDR mode. I have used both versions of the 585, ZWO and Toupek and Touptek with HDR wins hands down. What’s even better, you can get it bundled with filters and an 8 position filter wheel for under a grand.

Thanks for the additional datapoint, I think I am set on getting the Touptek 585M 😀

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clickade avatar
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Tobiasz · Aug 18, 2025, 01:53 PM

If you are thinking about looking at other solutions, then Windows + NINA or Linux +Kstars/Ekos is the way to go in my opinion. You have almost no cost besides the windows key and most of the functions are plug and play. I use both (NINA/Kstars) and can recommend both. Currently I prefer Linux and Kstars because of the performance + ease of use, but I am still in the testing phase. Windows + NINA is the “ol’ reliable” but I am annoyed how slow and bloated Windows 11 is.

Personally, I prefer Linux because I work professionally with macOS and Ubuntu systems. While I agree that the poorly optimized Windows issue is annoying, I see a grand majority of EAA tools are Windows-native.

Considering utility alone, I would lean towards getting a mini-PC as a replacement for my ASIAIR. I’d rather not embark on a Linux-based controller then find out much later that a couple of tools are incompatible with the OS. Is that a fair assumption?

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Tobiasz avatar
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There is a debloated Windows 11 version called “Tiny11”, which might be a workaround for us mini pc users. I did not test it yet so I cannot speak of experience.

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I just remembered I have an old Surface Pro 8 running Windows 11! Perfect - I can get started with NINA immediately. It completely escaped my mind since I moved on to a MacBook.

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