Neptune-C II USB3.0 Color Camera (IMX464)

The Player One Neptune-C II is a USB3.0 colour camera built around the 1/1.8" Sony IMX464 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Its 4.2-megapixel resolution and larger sensor make it a versatile planetary and lunar imager, giving you more field to work with than a 1/2.8" chip while keeping the fast frame rates that high-resolution solar-system work depends on.

Product Overview

The IMX464 provides a 2712×1538 array of 2.9µm pixels across a 9 mm diagonal. Read noise falls to about 0.7 e⁻ at higher gain, the ADC is 12-bit, and peak QE is near 90%. Over USB3.0 it reaches 93 FPS at full resolution, so you can bank thousands of frames during a moment of steady seeing and stack them into a sharp result.

Who It's For

This is a good match if you image the Moon and planets and want a larger, higher-resolution colour sensor than the entry 1/2.8" cameras, with enough field to frame the whole lunar disc through a modest scope. It also works as an ST4 autoguider.

Key Features & Design

• Sony IMX464 colour sensor: 1/1.8" back-illuminated CMOS, 4.2 MP, with a 9 mm diagonal for a wider planetary and lunar field.
• Fast capture: up to 93 FPS in Raw8 at the full 2712×1538 resolution over USB3.0.
• Low read noise: down to about 0.7 e⁻ at higher gain.
• 256MB DDR3 buffer: stabilizes high-speed data transfer to avoid dropped frames.
• ST4 autoguide port: allows use as a guide camera.
• Protective window: D21×1.1 mm with AR Plus multi-layer anti-reflection coating.

Optical / Mechanical Design

The Neptune-C II uses a colour CMOS sensor with an RGGB Bayer matrix and 2.9µm pixels. Its 12k e⁻ full-well and 12-bit ADC are tuned for bright, high-cadence solar-system targets. 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 for a standard planetary imaging train. Exposures run from 32µs to 2000 s. The published weight is 180 g.

Recommended Uses

• High-resolution lunar and planetary imaging behind a Barlow or long-focal-length scope.
• Full-disc lunar framing through shorter focal lengths.
• Solar imaging with a suitable solar filter or dedicated solar scope.
• Autoguiding through the ST4 port.

Compatibility & Accessory Notes

The camera connects via 1.25" nosepiece or M42×0.75 threads and fits any telescope providing those interfaces. Planetary work typically adds a Barlow or telecentric to reach f/15–f/25. It captures over USB3.0 with common acquisition software, and the ST4 port accepts a standard autoguide cable to your mount.

Good to Know Before You Order

• Built for speed, not long exposures: this is an uncooled high-frame-rate camera at its best on the Moon, planets and Sun rather than faint deep-sky targets.
• USB3.0 for full frame rates: a USB3.0 port and cable deliver the headline capture speeds; USB2.0 works but caps throughput.
• A Barlow helps on planets: reaching a good image scale on the planets usually means adding a Barlow or telecentric to your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to set up?

No. It threads onto a 1.25" or M42 connection, installs its driver, and appears in your capture software. Setup time goes into framing and focus, not the camera.

What is it best used for?

High-frame-rate imaging of the Moon, planets and Sun, and autoguiding.

How is it different from the smaller Mars-C?

The IMX464 is a larger 1/1.8" sensor with more resolution and field, useful when you want to frame more of the Moon or capture a wider planetary region.

Can I use it for deep-sky astrophotography?

It is not intended for long-exposure deep-sky work; the uncooled sensor is optimized for bright solar-system targets.

Does it autoguide?

Yes, through its ST4 port with a suitable guide scope.

Bottom Line

In short: a 4.2 MP, 1/1.8" colour planetary camera that captures the Moon and planets at high frame rates with a generous field, connects through standard 1.25" and M42 threads, and doubles as an autoguider.