Discover the power of astrophotography with the Altair Hypercam 269C PRO TEC Color CMOS Camera. Equipped with 4GB DDR3 RAM, this cutting-edge camera delivers exceptional image quality and performance, capturing the wonders of the night sky like never before. Unleash your creativity and explore the cosmos with the Hypercam 269C PRO TEC, designed to elevate your stargazing experience to new heights. Whether you're an amateur astronomer or a seasoned astrophotographer, this camera is your gateway to stunning celestial imagery. Embrace the universe's beauty and document it in breathtaking detail with Altair Hypercam 269C PRO TEC Color CMOS Camera.

The Hypercam 269C Colour camera has a Thermoelectric Cooling System (TEC) for extremely low noise imaging.
 
The 21mp Sony IMX269 is a 12bit colour 4/3rds sensor with 3.30 m Pixels - a better replacement for the now discontinued colour Panasonic MN34230 Series for long exposure astrophotography, for those wanting similar image scale and pixel size.

 A sealed chamber, and desiccant system with heated optical window make the camera ideal for harsh environments. Due to it's low read noise, the Hypercam 269C PRO TEC camera is suitable for both deepsky and solar system imaging with ROI, as well as "frame stacking and averaging" in other applications. The TEC system can be switched off for fast exposure video imaging.

The Hypercam 269C PRO TEC camera has the following features:

• Total elimination of amp glow. We cannot detect any glows on this camera.
• TEC Cooling system - cools down to -45C below ambient.
• Temperature sensor, with data available in real time, temperature written to .FITS files for easier processing.
• Free offer armoured case.
• 12v Power supply (specify EU UK or USA cord)
• ROI (Region of Interest) for cropped higher speed solar, lunar and planetary imaging.
• Binning supported.

FREE 1 YEAR SharpCap PRO License: Includes ultra-accurate polar alignment assist, deepsky CMOS exposure time optimisation assist, live stacking for EAA/Video astronomy, live dark frame and flat frame subtraction. Click here for more SC PRO features. Just download the latest SharpCap, connect your camera, register when the screen pops up and sign up for your free license.  Download SharpCap 3.0+ now to take advantage of this special offer.

Easier than a DSLR and no "astro modding" required: Unlike a DSLR, there's no need to risk modifying your camera to capture detail in red hydrogen wavelengths, because it has no "red blocking filter" in the way. Hypercam is much easier to use and focus than a DSLR, thanks to the live preview mode which shows uncompressed video at full resolution. You can see a tiny star-point clearly in real-time, because there is no video compression like with a DSLR video stream. There are no clumsy power connectors which drop out easily, no firmware to fight with your software, no mirror to lock up, and a "true" uncompressed RAW mode output. You get exactly what this Sony sensor "sees" from without alterations.

Low read noise: The Sony IMX269 CMOS sensor has very low read noise at approx. 2.6e and the usual high-sensitivity, low dark current, no smear, and excellent anti-blooming characteristics you would expect from a CMOS sensor. Unity gain is 282 in High Conversion Gain mode and 565 in Low Conversion Gain mode SharpCap and most other imaging applications (2.82 / 5.65 in AltairCapture).
Video Astronomy/EAA Friendly. The Hypercam 296C camera is not only desirable for Deepsky Imaging - it's also great for Video Astronomy or "EAA" Electronically Assisted Astronomy. The resolution, high sensitivity, and amp glow reduction technology are well suited to this task. What's more, you can use the Live Stacking features in the AltairCapture software or SharpCap PRO. All-sky time-lapse imaging or video is easy with a DSLR lens and optional Hypercam Lens Adaptors (product code: CLA-EOS or CLA-NIKON).

To sum it up, the headline features of the Hypercam 269C camera are:

• 21mp resolution SONY Exmor IMX269 CMOS sensor.
• 5280x3956 active 3.3 micron pixels in a 20.49 mm × 17.83 mm array. Physical sensor size, 4/3rds" 21.77mm diagonal.
• Extremely low read noise enabling deepsky lucky imaging and very smooth image quality.
• Amp glow reduction technology onboard totally eliminates amp glow, reduces noise, and increases contrast.
• A 12 bit ADC converting to 16bit output .FITS files in RAW mode, for deepsky imaging.
• Up to 17.5 Frames per second video in full 21mp resolution. (You will need a computer with high USB bandwidth to achieve these speeds, preferably with Intel or Via hardware USB controller on the motherboard).

Specifications

• AA269CPRO: SONY Exmor IMX269 Color CMOS sensor
• Sensor Size: 4/3" diagonal (21.77mm)
• Exposure duration shortest/longest: 0.1 ms (0.00014 secs) / 5 secs (Video Mode)
• 0.1 ms (0.0001 secs) / 1000 secs (Trigger Mode)
• Unity gain HGC mode: 282 in 12bit mode (2.82 in Altaircapture).
• Unity gain LCG mode: 565 in 12bit mode (5.65 in Altaircapture).
• Bit depth: 8bit & 12bit mode switchable
• Pixel size microns: 3.3 x 3.3 um
• Resolution in pixels: 5280x3956 (21mp)
• Recording System: Still Picture and Video
• Region of Interest (ROI) support: Available

Approx. Max frame rates 8bit (assuming computer Bus operating at full bandwidth)*:

5280x3956    17.5fps    1x1 binning
2640x1978    17.5fps    2x2 binning
1760x1318    75fps    3x3 binning
584x440        210fps    9x9 binning

12bit mode:
Approx. 50% of above FPS.*
* Based on average testing. May be revised as we get more data. The shorter the exposure duration, the faster the frame rate. An expensive PC does not guarantee a fast frame rate it depends on the PC drivers, bus and main board architecture.
 
Sensor QE / Quantum Efficiency: No data from Sony
Readout: Progressive Scan
Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter

What's in the box?

• amera body with internal Thermoelectric cooling system and front female M42x0.75mm T-Thread interface (17.5mm backfocus).
• A spare, rechargeable dessicant cartridge is included for long-term servicing.
• (Note: This should not be replaced unless confirmed by your dealer or Altair Astro and the sensor chamber seal should not be opened unless under instructions by a qualified party).
• 1.8m High-speed USB3.0 cable.
• 2" OD Nosepiece with standard 2" M48x0.75mm filter thread on the front. (code ALTAIRH-2IN) to accept standard astro filters.
• Built-in UV-IR Blocking Filter with AR coatings protects the sensor and hermetically sealed chamber.
• Protective silicon rubber end-cap for M42x0.75 front female thread.
• Dust cap for 2" nosepiece.
• Armoured sealed case with foam insert.
• 110v/240v Power supply for camera (please specify US, UK or EU plug when ordering).
• Note: This camera does not come with software in the box. To operate the camera you will need to download the latest camera drivers at www.altairastro.help (opens new window)