QHY miniCAM8 Mono Camera Combo
QHY
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At just over 4 inches in diameter and a few inches thick, the new miniCAM8 is a compact, high resolution, high performance, cooled imaging system capable of exceptional, high-quality deep space images and planetary images.
So often, compactness in astroimaging is achieved at the expense of some other critical feature found in multi-component cooled systems, such sensor quality or thermoelectric cooling, etc. Such is not the case with the new miniCAM8. Based on Sony’s IMX585 8 MP sensor, the miniCAM8 includes full TE cooling capable of reaching a delta of -45℃ from ambient along with a built-in 8-position filter wheel for complete LRGB and narrowband imaging.
The Combo package includes 7 filters: Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, H-Alpha (7nm), OIII (7nm) and SII 7nm)
Features
High Near-Infrared Sensitivity
The IMX585 is a Sony Starvis II processor that enables high sensitivity and high dynamic range (HDR). It also improves sensitivity in the near-infrared range by approximately 1.7 times* compared to the IMX485. The new camera QHY miniCAM8 has a maximum quantum efficiency of 60% in the near-infrared band and 92% in the visible wavelength band.
Back Illuminated
One benefit of the back-illuminated CMOS structure is improved full-well capacity. This is particularly helpful for sensors with small pixels. In a typical front-illuminated sensor, photons from the target entering the photosensitive layer of the sensor must first pass through the metal wiring that is embedded just above the photosensitive layer. The wiring structure reflects some of the photons and reduces the efficiency of the sensor.
In the back-illuminated sensor, the light is allowed to enter the photosensitive surface from the reverse side. In this case, the sensor’s embedded wiring structure is below the photosensitive layer. As a result, more incoming photons strike the photosensitive layer, and more electrons are generated and captured in the pixel well. This ratio of photon to electron production is called quantum efficiency. The higher the quantum efficiency, the more efficient the sensor is at converting photons to electrons, and hence the more sensitive the sensor is to capturing an image of something dim.
Zero Amplify Glow
QHY miniCAM8 is also a zero amplifier glow camera.
Anti-Dew Technology
Based on almost 20-year cooled camera design experience, the QHY cooled camera has implemented the fully dew control solutions. The optic window has a built-in dew heater, and the chamber is protected from internal humidity condensation. An electric heating board for the chamber window can prevent the formation of dew, and the sensor itself is kept dry with our silicon gel tube socket design for control of humidity within the sensor chamber.
Cooling
In addition to dual-stage TE cooling, QHYCCD implements proprietary technology in hardware to control the dark current noise.
Linearity HDR Mode
The native ADC of the IMX585 sensor is 12-bit. Compared to 16-bit, the 12-bit depth offers fewer bits, resulting in a relatively narrower dynamic range, which may lead to issues such as insufficient colour gradation and potential information loss. During the product development of miniCAM8, QHYCCD merged high and low gain to extend the data to 16-bit. However, since this 16-bit depth is not native, a sudden shift in linearity might occur, affecting the smooth transition in images. To address this, QHYCCD developed the “Linearity HDR” mode, which uses an algorithm-based approach to correct image linearity through software, ensuring smoother transitions and richer color representation.

Mono Camera Details
- What's in the Box
- Specifications
What's in the Box
- Camera
- 12V 5A Power Adapter
- Power Cable
- 12V Self-Locking Power Cable
- 1.3m USB3.0 Cable
- 1.25-inch Extension Ring
- Desiccant Tube
- Lens Mounting Clamp
- Screwdriver
- Camera Packaging Bag
- Luminance Filter
- Red Filter
- Green Filter
- Blue Filter
- H-Alpha Filter (7nm)
- OIII Filter (7nm)
- SII Filter (7nm)
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX585 |
| Sensor Type | Mono |
| BSI/FSI | Back Side Illuminated |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.2 inch |
| Pixel Size | 2.9μm x 2.9μm |
| Total Pixel Area | 3856 x 2180 |
| Effective Pixels | 8 MP |
| Full Well Capacity | 54ke- |
| Readout Noise | 0.76 – 7.8 e- |
| A/D | 12bit (output as 16-bit) |
| Full Frame Rates | 41.5FPS@8bit, 23.5FPS@16bit |
| Exposure Time Range | 11μs-900sec |
| Shutter Type | Electronic Rolling Shutter |
| Cooling System | Dual Stage TEC cooler |
| Weight | 480g |
Let customers speak for us
from 210 reviewsVery fast delivery
At first glance it seems quite light and the implication is that it can't really be all that powerful. However, light is what we want and it emits lots of lovely laser light! It's perfect for pointing out features to anyone else and bonus is that you can use a laser to align a scope or binos on the feature of your choosing by shining it through the scope finder or eyepiece (binos).
Just a note it to avoid shining the laser at anything reflective, as it can blind you very quickly. That includes road cones with their reflective tape. I can see how pilots are affected, it wouldn't take much.
Very helpful and knowledgeable team who offered ideas and suggestions without being too pushy. Very helpful.
As a stargazing newbie, I'm so glad I visited the showroom for advice! Andrew was super helpful and I'm very happy with my 8" Dobsonian :)
My comments are based on using it with a 102mm ED refractor, FL 714 mm. My home is in a Bortle 5 location in Christchurch.
This shorty Barlow is an apochromatic design, it uses a brass compression ring and is light at approx.100gms. I've used it several times in mostly poor viewing conditions, and once in above average conditions. In that time I viewed double stars, emission nebulae, open and globular star clusters, and Jupiter. I thought it provided excellent views and on the one occasion when seeing conditions and the city lights were less in the early morning, I was able to achieve 203 x magnification looking at a globular while still getting a reasonable view. Even at 238 x the view was tolerable, albeit quite soft.
I also have a Celestron X-Cel-LX 2X Barlow, so was able to compare the two Barlows. I found them pretty much identical in terms of colour, sharpness and contrast, though someone with better eyesight may notice differences that I can't.
I highly recommend the Astronz 2.5X Barlow, as it can provide substantially higher magnification options if you have, say 3 or 4 eyepieces. Personally, I prefer my 2 X Barlow as its more useful in less than average viewing conditions, which for me is most of the time. However, in above average to excellent viewing conditions, or at a dark sky site, the extra magnification of the 2.5 X Barlow would be very useful. If you are just starting out and wanting to get a Barlow, the Astronz one costs $48 cf. $249 for the Celestron. The choice is pretty much a no-brainer from that perspective.
I'll continue to use both, as different EP combinations and magnification steps will suit different viewing conditions.
The collimator arrived within 24 hours and was exactly what I needed. If didn't take long to realise the collimator itself needed to be collimated which was an easy process and added to learning how to use it. It was easy to use to collimate the Dobsonian Telescope. Thanks Astronz for helping me get underway with my new hobby.
I am so happy with the 8" Dobsonian. The fine focuser and the 2" superview lens where features which other beginner packages didn't have. I went to visit Andrew's store, he didn't confuse me or up sell, and he gave lots of time chatting and showing me the scopes, he gave advice for where to find dark skies and to come along to the societies meeting which introduced me to lots of great people and astronomy. I set the scope up within hours, within a week I had three amazing observing sessions, in dark skies not far from Auckland, the scope is simple and quick to set up and use and I am very impressed by how it has delivered beyond my expectations for power, useability and fun! Highly recommend Astronz
I am delighted to write a report for this product. It is extremely well made and combines a manual as well as electric function for focusing. This is important to me because with my other electric focuser, I was unable to use the telescope visually without having to dismount it. Now I am able to use it visually.
The focusing function allows very precise control. Unlike my previous focuser, there is now no problem from Schmidt Cassegrain mirror slop. I can now search for focus by adjusting in and out of focus and then when focus is found, set the counter to zero. I am a planetary imager and can now be very precise in searching for focus - even during a video capture. When experimenting beyond your "zero" point one can always return to that point precisely.
I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Cheers,
Paul Mallinson
Superbly easy to use and wonderful clear view while abl to clip on phone camera to other side made great photos
From what I’ve tried so far they seem amazing got a few more days to use them in Wellington NZ before we flight back to London so hopefully all good 👍 cheers Frank
I recently purchased the Celestron EdgeHD 8" Optical Tube Assembly from Astronz and had a very positive experience. The sales service was excellent, knowledgeable and provided helpful advice about the telescope and accessories before purchase. Astronz is run by experienced astronomers, which makes a big difference when discussing equipment and setup.
good quality and quick shipping. Andrew was great help.
Awesome definition, great contrast and sharpness.
Easy and reliable way to buy.
Perfect and helpful customer service.
The eye piece and the collimator are awesome.