Unlock the cosmos with the Altair Hypercam 183C Color CMOS Camera - your gateway to breathtaking astrophotography! Equipped with advanced CMOS technology and vibrant color capturing capabilities, this cutting-edge camera delivers unrivaled clarity and precision in capturing celestial wonders. Ideal for both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers, the Hypercam 183C ensures you never miss a single detail of the night sky. Explore the universe like never before and elevate your astrophotography to new heights with the Altair Hypercam 183C Color CMOS Camera.

The Hypercam 183C Colour camera is the thinkers' alternative to a DSLR camera for astro-imaging.
 
It has a 20mp Sony IMX183 sensor, featuring amp glow reduction and high sensitivity for extremely smooth, detailed images. 
The IMX183 is one of the most sensitive Back Side Illuminated BSI sensors available, with very low read noise, suitable for both deepsky and solar system imaging with ROI.

The PRO Version has the following features:
Temperature sensor, with data available in realtime
ROI (Region of Interest) for cropped higher speed solar, lunar and planetary imaging.
4K Mode (cropped).
Binning.
Amp glow reduction.
Fan-cooled on-sensor internal heatsink, powered though USB cable, so NO separate 12v power supply required.
SPECIAL OFFER! 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 darkframe and flat frame subtration.
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: 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. Unlike a DSLR, there's no need to modify your camera to capture detail in red hydrogen wavelengths, because it has no red blocking filter in the way. 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 IMX183 CMOS sensor has very low read noise, wide dynamic range, and high sensitivity. The IMX183 ExmorR rated Back Illuminated Sensor has high-sensitivty, low dark current, no smear, and excellent anti-blooming charateristics. BSI technology moves the sensor circuitry behind the pixel, so unlike conventional sensors the light path is not blocked, resulting in higher quantum efficiency than a CCD sensor.
 
Great for refractors. With a pixel size of 2.4um, and an active imaging area of 13 x 9mm, the Hypercam IMX183C performs extremely well an Altair refractor, with or without a focal reducer.

Low read noise BSI sensor. The Sony IMX183 CMOS sensor is ExmorR rated, and Back Illuminated (BSI). BSI technology moves the sensor circuitry behind the pixel, so unlike conventional sensors the light path is not blocked, resulting in higher quantum efficiency than a traditional CCD sensor. Read noise is low, and there is no smear or blooming on bright stars.

Try deep-sky "lucky" imaging. The low read noise lets you stack shorter exposures to take advantage of the low read noise, reducing atmospheric aberrations and tracking errors or wind vibration. The more frames you stack, the smoother the image becomes, and the higher the cumulative dynamic range. In this way, long cumulative exposure times of many hours can be achieved with modest equipment. The result is a smoother, sharper image with more detail.

Video Astronomy/EAA Friendly. The Hypercam IMX183 sensor is not only desirable for Deepsky Imaging - it's also great for Video Astronomy or "EAA" Electronically Assisted Astronomy. All thanks to the 20mp resolution, high sensitivity, and amp glow reduction technology. 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 Adapters (product code: CLA-EOS or CLA-NIKON).

Here's a video showing the camera operating in deepsky video mode at around 1-3 sec exposure in realtime:
 
To sum it up, the most desirable features of the Hypercam IMX183 camera are:
 
- 20mp resolution SONY Exmor R Back Side Illuminated IMX183 CMOS sensor
- 5440 x 3648 active pixels in a 13.2mm x 8.8mm, 15.86mm diagonal array (16.05mm x 12.61mm physical sensor size).
- Extremely low read noise enabling deepsky lucky imaging and very smooth image quality.
- Amp glow reduction technology onboard reduces amp glow, reduces noise, and increases contrast.
- High Dynamic Range with 12 bit ADC to 16bit output .FITS files in RAW mode, for beautiful deepsky images.
- Up to 17.5 Frames per second video in full 20mp 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

ALTAIRH183C: SONY Exmor R BSI IMX183 Color CMOS sensor
Sensor Size: 5440 x 3648 active pixels in a 13.2mm x 8.8mm, 15.86mm diagonal array (16.05mm x 12.61mm physical sensor size).
Exposure duration shortest/longest: 0.264 ms (0.000264 secs) / 5 secs (Video Mode)
0.264 ms (0.000264 secs) / 1000 secs (Trigger Mode)
Bit depth: 8bit & 12bit mode switchable
Pixel size microns: 2.4 x 2.4 um
Resolution in pixels: 5440x3648
Recording System: Still Picture and Video
Region of Interest (ROI) support: Supported
Approx. Max frame rates (assuming computer Bus operating at full bandwidth) tested in AltairCapture under "Capture and Resolution" menu setting*:
8bit mode:
5440x3648 17.5FPS
2736x1824 50FPS
1824x1216 60FPS
12bit mode:
Approx. 60% ~98% of above
* Based on average user reports. 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 because PC bus and main board architecture vary.
Sensor QE / Quantum Efficiency: approx. 84% 
Readout: Progressive Scan
Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter

What's in the box?

Camera body with internal cooling fan, heat-sink, and front female M42x0.75mm T-Thread interface (12.5mm backfocus).
1.8m High-speed USB3.0 cable.
1.5m ST4 guide cable.
2" OD Nosepiece with standard 2" M48x0.75mm filter thread on the front. (code ALTAIRH-2IN).
Built-in UV-IR Blocking Filter, AR coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning).
Plastic screw-on dust cap.
Allen key for removing the C-Thread insert.
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)