CCD over CMOS

[farnet]

Guys,

being new to this I am unclear why CMOS is so bad for Astrophotography, I have searched various forums and. I can't see many instances of CMOS being used.

reason for my question is the FLEA3 CMOS has such a high resolution and fps and is amazingly cheap in comparison, why are they such a bad thing to use?

laymans terms please, still a newbie

cheers

Farnet

[Cornelius Varley]

The ccd/cmos debate goes back to the early days of imaging. These days modern cmos sensors are probably as good as ccd senors.

[x6gas]

Yes, I would forget about the sensor technology and focus on the actual stats for the sensor in question.

What you want is a sensor that is good in low light conditions, high sensitivity, high quantum effciency, and low noise...

[farnet]

this is the specs of it.... is's a Flea3 USB 3.0 @ $695.00 for the mono

I cant tell whether it is good or bad :-) , I currently have the DMK41 and that is what I have for doing the solar pictures, I was looking at this for a higher resolution for higher detail...... would it be?

Sony IMX036 CMOS, 1/2.8", 2.5 μm

Rolling Shutter withGlobal Reset

2080x1552 at 60 FPS

A/D Converter 12-bit(FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2, FL3-U3-88S2)/ 10-bit( FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-13E4)

VideoData Output 8, 12, 16 and 24-bit digital data

Image Data Formats Y8, Y16, Mono8, Mono12, Mono16, Raw8, Raw12, Raw16 (all models); RGB, YUV411, YUV422, YUV 444 (colormodels)

Partial Image Modes Pixel binning and region of interest(ROI) modes

Image Processing Gamma, lookup table, hue,saturation, and sharpness

Gain Automatic*/Manual/One-Push* Gainmodes(*Free running only)

0 dB to 24 dB (FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2, FL3-U3-88S2)/ 0 db to 18 db (FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-13E4)

Gamma 0.50 to 4.00, programmable lookup table

White Balance Automatic/Manual modes, programmable via software

Color Processing On-camera in YUV or RGB format, or on-PC in Raw format

Digital Interface USB 3.0 interface with screw locksfor camera control, data, and power

Transfer Rates 5 Gbit/s

GPIO 8-pinHirose HR25 GPIO connectorfor power,trigger,strobe, PWM, and serial I/O: 1 opto-isolated input, 1 opto-isolated output,

2 bi-directional I/O pins

External Trigger Modes IIDC Trigger Modes 0, 1 (excluding FL3-U3-13E4), and 15

Synchronization via external trigger orsoftware trigger

Shutter

Rolling Shutter(FL3-U3-13S2)/ Global Reset(FL3-U3-32S2, FL3-U3-88S2)/ Global Shutter(FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-13E4)

Automatic*/Manual/One-Push*/Extended Shutter** modes(*Free running only) (**except FL3-U3-13Y3)

0.008 msto 1 second (FL3-U3-13S2)/ 0.006 msto 1 second (FL3-U3-13Y3)/ 0.016 msto 1 second (FL3-U3-13E4)/ 0.01 msto

32 seconds(FL3-U3-32S2)/ 0.021 msto 1 second (FL3-U3-88S2)

Image Buffer 32 MB frame buffer

Memory Channels 2 memory channelsfor custom camera settings

FlashMemory 1 MB

Dimensions 29 x 29 x 30 mm excluding lens holder(metal case)

Mass Without optics: 35 g (FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2)/ 41 g (FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-13E4, FL3-U3-88S2)

Power Consumption 5 V, <3 W, via GPIO orUSB 3.0 interface

Camera Specification IIDC v1.32

Camera Control via FlyCapture SDK, CSRs, orthird party software

Camera Updates In-field firmware updates

Lens Mount CS-mount(FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2)/ C-mount(FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-13E4, FL3-U3-88S2)

Temperature Operating: 0°to 45°C; Storage: -30°to 60°C

Emissions Compliance CE, FCC, RoHS

Operating System Windows 7 32- or 64-bit

Warranty Three yearsFlea®

[farnet]

it looks perfect especially since I have a gaming laptop with USB 3.0 connection

[riklaunim]

You need to pick the right CMOS or CCD to get a good camera. Sony IMX CMOS sensors aren't that good so not worth it. From good CMOS sensors there is E2V 76C661 or its older/cheaper counterpart EV76C560. In the more entry-level there is ASI 120MM with MT9M034 which seems to be better than other Micron CMOS sensors (but still not 100%-proof for H-alpha solar imaging etc.). There is also CMOSIS CMV4000 for the most demanding Solar/Lunar imagers (1" diagonal). Aside of that Sony CCDs wins - ICX618, ICX445, or newer ICX6**.