{"product_id":"mars-c-ii-usb3-0-color-camera-imx662","title":"Mars-C II USB3.0 Color Camera (IMX662)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Player One Mars-C II is a compact USB3.0 colour camera built around the Sony IMX662 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the successor to the popular IMX462. It keeps the strong near-infrared sensitivity that makes these sensors excellent for planetary work while adding a much deeper full-well and lower dark current, so it holds highlights better and runs cleaner during longer capture sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1\/2.8\" sensor delivers 2.1 megapixels (1936×1100) with 2.9µm pixels across a 6.44 mm diagonal. A 54k e⁻ full-well gives it wide dynamic range for bright planets, read noise falls to about 0.7 e⁻, the ADC is 12-bit, and peak QE is near 91%. Over USB3.0 it captures up to 108 FPS in Raw8 and 76.5 FPS in Raw16 at full resolution, with even higher rates in smaller ROIs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you image the Moon, planets and the Sun and want a sensitive, fast colour camera with more dynamic range than the entry IMX462. Its near-IR reach also suits IR-pass planetary imaging, and the ST4 port lets it serve as an autoguider.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX662 colour sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/2.8\" back-illuminated CMOS with strong near-IR response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep 54k e⁻ full-well:\u003c\/strong\u003e wider dynamic range that resists clipping on bright planetary highlights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh frame rates:\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 108 FPS (Raw8) and 76.5 FPS (Raw16) at full 1936×1100 resolution; 162 FPS at 1280×720.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow read noise:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to about 0.7 e⁻ at higher gain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e256MB DDR3 buffer:\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps high-speed transfer stable to avoid dropped frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eST4 autoguide port:\u003c\/strong\u003e doubles as a guide camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtective window:\u003c\/strong\u003e D21×1.1 mm with AR Plus multi-layer coating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mars-C II uses a rolling-shutter colour CMOS with an RGGB Bayer matrix and 2.9µm pixels, a pitch matched to the long focal lengths used for planetary imaging. The sensor sits at a 12.5 mm back focal distance, and the 66 mm body threads accept 1.25\" and M42×0.75 (T-thread) adapters. Exposures span 32µs to 2000 s. The published weight is 150 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-resolution lunar and planetary imaging behind a Barlow or long-focal-length scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNear-IR and IR-pass planetary imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolar imaging with a suitable solar filter or dedicated solar scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutoguiding through the ST4 port.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility \u0026amp; Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe camera connects through 1.25\" nosepiece or M42×0.75 threads and fits any telescope with those interfaces. Planetary imaging usually adds a Barlow or telecentric to reach f\/15–f\/25. Capture is over USB3.0 with common software, and the ST4 port accepts a standard autoguide cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e this uncooled small-sensor camera is optimized for the Moon, planets and Sun, not long-exposure deep-sky imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB3.0 for full frame rates:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB2.0 works but caps throughput.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Barlow helps on planets:\u003c\/strong\u003e reaching a good image scale on the planets usually means adding a Barlow or telecentric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It threads onto a 1.25\" or M42 connection, installs its driver, and appears in your capture software.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it best used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-frame-rate imaging of the Moon, planets and Sun, plus autoguiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare to the original Mars-C?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe IMX662 offers a much deeper full-well and lower dark current than the IMX462, giving more dynamic range and cleaner longer captures while keeping the near-IR sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it for deep-sky astrophotography?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not intended for long-exposure deep-sky work; it is built for bright solar-system targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it autoguide?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, through its ST4 port with a suitable guide scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a sensitive, near-IR-capable 1\/2.8\" colour planetary camera with a deep 54k e⁻ full-well and high frame rates, ideal for the Moon, planets and Sun and usable as an autoguider through standard 1.25\" and M42 threads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Player One Astronomy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44014018855023,"sku":"Mars-C II","price":278.6,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Mars-C-II-LOGOs__16586.png?v=1766567559","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/mars-c-ii-usb3-0-color-camera-imx662","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}