Superior sensor

Sony’s ICX694AL Exview CCD sensor has been around for a while, but now – coupled with the updated high-grade electronics in the camera’s new Pro version – it gives even entry-level astronomers the ability to capture high-quality images. The specifications start with a medium-format sensor, with a pixel size of 4.54 x 4.54 microns and an image format of 2,750 x 2,200 pixels. This is housed in an Argon gas-filled chamber that is designed for zero maintenance, meaning there is no need to change any desiccant (drying agent) over the camera’s life. The sensor has an improved lower noise reading (3 electrons), a reduction from the original Trius SX-694 (4–4.5 electrons), while the image download time is 2.5 seconds at full resolution, so pretty fast. The Grade 1 sensor rating means that it should contain no bad columns or dead pixels and no more than 50 hot pixels. We did indeed find this led to high-quality frames captured and less work to do in the final processing of the images.