Apollo-C USB3.0 Color Camera

Product Overview

The Apollo-C is a high-speed one-shot-color astronomy camera from Player One Astronomy, built on Sony's 1/1.2" IMX174 global-shutter CMOS sensor. Its large 5.86 µm pixels, 2.3-megapixel array (1936×1216, 13.3 mm diagonal) and global shutter make it a natural fit for solar work: the whole frame is exposed at once, and the camera streams up to 164 fps to freeze atmospheric seeing. It is passively cooled, with an optional Active Cooling System available.

Who It's For

This is a good match if you image the Sun, Moon and planets in colour and want a fast global-shutter sensor with generous pixels — full-disk solar capture in a single colour stream, lucky imaging of the brighter planets, and detailed lunar work. The ST4 port also lets it serve as a colour all-rounder on a small scope.

Key Features & Design

• Sony IMX174 global-shutter CMOS (color): distortion-free frames on moving or fast-changing subjects.
• Large 5.86 µm pixels: deep 24.8k e− full well and strong signal handling for high-contrast solar and planetary scenes.
• Up to 164 fps: 10-bit RAW8 readout at full resolution over USB3.0 for lucky imaging.
• One-shot color: RGGB Bayer matrix captures colour in a single exposure — no filter wheel required.
• 256 MB DDR3 buffer: stabilises the high-speed stream.
• ST4 guide port: usable as a guide or utility camera on a small refractor.

Optical / Mechanical Design

The IMX174 is a 1/1.2" global-shutter colour CMOS with a RGGB matrix, 5.86 µm pixels across an 11.3 mm×7.1 mm active area. Full-well capacity is 24.8k e−, read noise ranges 6.3 e− to 3.5 e−, digitised at 12-bit, with peak QE near 77%. Full-resolution readout reaches 164 fps in 10-bit over USB3.0. Sensor-to-flange backfocus is 12.5 mm behind the AR-coated D32×2 mm window. The 66 mm body ends in a 1.25" / M42×0.75 interface. Cooling is passive, with an optional Active Cooling System available separately.

Recommended Uses

• Solar imaging: full-disk and detailed colour capture behind a certified solar filter or dedicated solar scope.
• Planetary imaging: high-frame-rate one-shot-color lucky imaging of the brighter planets.
• Lunar imaging: fast capture for sharp, low-artifact lunar mosaics.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

The camera presents a 1.25" nosepiece and M42×0.75 rear, with 12.5 mm of backfocus in the train. It runs over USB3.0 (backward compatible with USB2.0) and is powered from the USB connection alone. An ST4 port is provided. As a one-shot-color camera it needs no filter wheel; solar use still requires proper solar filtration (a certified filter or dedicated solar telescope). An optional Active Cooling System can be added for longer exposures.

Good to Know Before You Order

• Solar imaging requires proper solar filtration: it is used behind a certified solar filter or a dedicated solar telescope, never at an unfiltered scope.
• Non-cooled by default: passive cooling suits high-frame-rate work; an optional Active Cooling System extends it toward longer exposures.
• One-shot color: convenient single-exposure colour, at the 2.3 MP resolution of the IMX174.
• Published weight is 160 g: very light on the focuser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to set up?

No. It threads on through its 1.25" / M42 interface and runs on a single USB3.0 cable — no external power for the camera.

What is it best used for?

Fast one-shot-color solar, lunar and planetary imaging.

Do I need a filter wheel?

No — the Bayer sensor captures colour directly. Solar work still needs a proper solar filter or a solar telescope in front of the camera.

How does it differ from the mono Apollo 428M MAX?

The Apollo-C is one-shot color on the IMX174 (larger pixels, faster readout, lower resolution); the 428M is a higher-resolution monochrome sensor imaged through filters.

Bottom Line

In short: a 2.3 MP IMX174 global-shutter one-shot-color camera running to 164 fps — a fast, single-cable solar, lunar and planetary imager that captures colour without a filter wheel and accepts optional cooling as your work grows.