{"product_id":"touptek-g3cmos178c-planetary-camera-sony-imx178-colour","title":"ToupTek G3CMOS178C Planetary Camera – Sony IMX178 Colour","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eToupTek G3CMOS178C\u003c\/strong\u003e is a high-performance air-cooled colour planetary camera built around the Sony IMX178 sensor with Bayer colour filter. Delivering 3096×2080 pixels at 2.4 µm pixel size, the G3CMOS178C captures rich natural colour planetary images at high resolution without requiring separate R, G, B filter sets — making it an ideal entry point for colour planetary and lunar imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Is This Product Best For?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe G3CMOS178C is ideal for beginner to intermediate planetary imagers who want high-resolution one-shot colour results for planets, the Moon, and solar imaging (with appropriate filter). It is also a capable option for daytime terrestrial imaging and nature photography through telescopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Choose This Product?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSony IMX178 Colour Sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3096×2080 pixels, 2.4 µm pixel size — rich natural colour at high resolution for planetary and lunar captures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB 3.0 High-Speed Interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports high frame rates for lucky imaging stacking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne-Shot Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e No filter sets required — captures colour in a single pass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact 1.25\" Barrel Body:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works with any standard focuser or Barlow lens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatible Software:\u003c\/strong\u003e SharpCap, FireCapture, AutoStakkert, NINA, and ASCOM\/INDI.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne-shot colour high-speed planetary imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLunar surface colour imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolar imaging with proper solar filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaytime terrestrial digiscoping through telescopes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1.25\" barrel; compatible with standard focusers and Barlow lenses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with INDI, ASCOM, SharpCap, and FireCapture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Limitations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAir-cooled only — not suitable for deep sky long-exposure imaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour Bayer sensor — less sensitive per pixel than monochrome IMX178 variants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this compare to the G3CMOS178M?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe G3CMOS178C delivers natural one-shot colour without filter sets. The G3CMOS178M is monochrome and requires LRGB or planetary filter sets for colour, but delivers higher per-pixel sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the one-shot colour operation makes this a simpler and more beginner-friendly planetary camera than the monochrome version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur Recommendation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ToupTek G3CMOS178C is an excellent one-shot colour planetary camera for beginners to intermediate imagers who want high-resolution colour results without the complexity of filter-based monochrome imaging. A great first planetary camera for the serious amateur.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ToupTek Astro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53400313331823,"sku":"G3CMOS06300KPA","price":597.8,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/planetary_cameras_053de8c9-aa1a-4d6d-a08f-0ab6f9421e62.webp?v=1782324578","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/touptek-g3cmos178c-planetary-camera-sony-imx178-colour","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}