Poseidon-M Pro (IMX571) USB3.0 Mono Cooled Camera

Product Overview

The Player One Astronomy Poseidon-M Pro is a cooled monochrome USB3.0 camera built on the 26-megapixel Sony IMX571 APS-C CMOS sensor. The IMX571 spans a 28.3 mm diagonal (23.5 mm × 15.7 mm, 6252 × 4176 pixels) with 3.76 µm pixels, a deep 71.7 ke- full-well capacity, and a true 16-bit ADC. Read noise falls to about 1.0e-, and a two-stage TEC cools the sensor 40°C ± 2°C below ambient. Peak quantum efficiency is about 91% — a high-performance mono sensor for serious deep-sky work.

Who It's For

This is a good match if you image deep-sky objects in narrowband or LRGB and want the larger APS-C field and 16-bit depth for demanding projects. The generous full well and low read noise suit both bright galaxy cores and faint nebulosity, and the APS-C frame captures wide targets at moderate focal lengths.

Key Features & Design

• Sony IMX571 APS-C mono sensor: 26 MP at 6252 × 4176 with 3.76 µm pixels across a 28.3 mm diagonal.
• 16-bit ADC, 71.7 ke- full well: wide dynamic range and fine tonal gradation.
• Read noise about 1.0e-: a very low floor for faint narrowband signal.
• Peak QE about 91%: high mono sensitivity across the spectrum.
• Two-stage TEC, 40°C ± 2°C below ambient: strong cooling for long integrations.
• M48, 2″, and 1.25″ interfaces: flexible connection for filter wheels and flatteners.

Optical / Mechanical Design

The IMX571 is a back-illuminated APS-C sensor whose 3.76 µm pixels balance resolution and well depth across a large 28.3 mm diagonal. The 16-bit ADC and 71.7 ke- full well give the dynamic range to hold bright stars while stacking faint detail, and a peak QE near 91% makes it efficient in narrowband. Cooling to 40°C ± 2°C below ambient keeps dark current low across the long sub-exposures this sensor is built for.

Recommended Uses

• Narrowband nebula imaging: high-contrast H-alpha, OIII, and SII across an APS-C field.
• LRGB deep-sky work: galaxies, clusters, and large nebulae at moderate focal lengths.
• Cooled long-exposure projects: faint targets that reward low read noise and deep wells.

Compatibility & Accessory Notes

The Poseidon-M Pro connects over USB3.0/USB2.0 (Type-C) and powers its cooler from a 12 V DC input. It offers M48 × 0.75, 2″, and 1.25″ interfaces — the M48 thread suits the APS-C image circle without vignetting on a suitable flattener. Back focal distance is 17.5 mm with the sensor tilt plate fitted, or 12.5 mm without. As a mono camera it is designed to run with a filter wheel.

Good to Know Before You Order

• Use the M48 thread for full APS-C coverage: the larger thread and matched flattener avoid vignetting the 28.3 mm frame.
• Color needs filters: a monochrome camera builds color from separate filtered exposures, typically with a filter wheel.
• Back focus depends on the tilt plate: 17.5 mm with the plate, 12.5 mm without.
• Spacing help: send us your filter wheel and flattener setup and we will confirm the spacing and adapters with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to set up?

No. It threads onto M48, 2″, or 1.25″, connects with one USB3.0 Type-C cable, and takes 12 V DC for cooling. A filter wheel and matched flattener are the main additions; the camera itself is controlled in software.

What is it best used for?

Cooled monochrome deep-sky imaging on an APS-C field — narrowband nebulae and LRGB galaxies and clusters.

Why 16-bit?

The 16-bit ADC samples the 71.7 ke- full well finely, preserving smooth gradation and dynamic range in stacked data.

Do I need a filter wheel?

For color, yes — mono cameras record one filter at a time and combine channels in processing.

Bottom Line

In short: a cooled monochrome camera on the 26 MP APS-C Sony IMX571, with 3.76 µm pixels, a 71.7 ke- full well, 16-bit output, about 91% peak QE, and 40°C of cooling below ambient. Run it with filters and a matched flattener and it is a high-end deep-sky imager, set 17.5 mm (or 12.5 mm) behind its front face.