Neptune-C USB3.0 Color Camera (IMX178)

The Player One Neptune-C is a USB3.0 colour camera built around the 1/1.8" Sony IMX178 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. With 6.4 megapixels and small 2.4µm pixels it is a high-resolution planetary and lunar imager, and its larger sensor gives enough field to frame the full lunar or solar disc through a modest scope.

Product Overview

The IMX178 provides a 3096×2078 array of 2.4µm pixels across a 9 mm diagonal. It uses a 14-bit ADC for smooth tonal gradation, read noise sits between about 2.2 and 1.3 e⁻, and peak QE is near 80%. A UV/IR-cut protective window keeps colour rendition accurate. Over USB3.0 it captures up to 60 FPS in Raw8 and 30 FPS in Raw16 at full resolution; an HCG mode engages automatically above gain 30 to lower noise.

Who It's For

This is a good match if you image the Moon, planets and Sun and want higher resolution and more field than a 1/2.8" chip. The fine 2.4µm pixels sample long focal lengths well, and the large frame suits full-disc lunar and solar work as well as all-sky monitoring. It also autoguides through its ST4 port.

Key Features & Design

• Sony IMX178 colour sensor: 1/1.8" back-illuminated CMOS, 6.4 MP, for high-resolution solar-system imaging.
• Fine 2.4µm pixels: sample fine detail well at long focal lengths.
• 14-bit ADC: smooth tonal range for lunar and solar gradients.
• UV/IR-cut window: D21×1.1 mm with anti-reflection multi-layer coating for accurate colour.
• 256MB DDR3 buffer: keeps high-speed transfer stable.
• ST4 autoguide port: doubles as a guide camera.

Optical / Mechanical Design

The Neptune-C uses a rolling-shutter colour CMOS with an RGGB Bayer matrix. Its 15k e⁻ full-well and 14-bit ADC handle bright lunar and solar surfaces with smooth gradation. 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 run 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 and solar imaging (with suitable solar filtration) through shorter focal lengths.
• All-sky and wide-field monitoring.
• Autoguiding through the ST4 port.

Compatibility & Accessory Notes

The camera connects through 1.25" nosepiece or M42×0.75 threads and fits any telescope with those interfaces. Planetary work typically 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.

Good to Know Before You Order

• Built for speed, not long exposures: this uncooled camera is optimized for bright solar-system targets rather than faint deep-sky imaging.
• UV/IR-cut window: the window blocks IR, so this model is set up for accurate visible-light colour rather than IR-pass imaging.
• USB3.0 for full frame rates: USB2.0 works but caps throughput.

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.

What is it best used for?

High-resolution lunar, planetary and solar imaging, plus all-sky monitoring and autoguiding.

How is it different from the Neptune-M?

The Neptune-C is the colour version of the same IMX178 sensor; the Neptune-M is monochrome for higher resolution through filters.

Can I use it for deep-sky astrophotography?

It is not intended for long-exposure deep-sky imaging; it is built for bright solar-system targets.

Does it autoguide?

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

Bottom Line

In short: a high-resolution 6.4 MP, 1/1.8" colour planetary camera with fine 2.4µm pixels and a 14-bit ADC, well suited to detailed lunar, planetary and solar imaging and usable as an autoguider on standard 1.25" and M42 threads.