Touptek IMX585c Cooled, full review
Review of the Touptek IMX585c Astro Imaging Camera, based on my experience.
I was very fortunate to get the chance to review the Touptek IMX585c Cooled Astro imaging camera, it is becoming a highly regarded camera in the astrophotography community, particularly known for its advanced features, zero amp glow and excellent performance with its sensitive CMOS sensor. Perfect for capturing faint celestial objects. This review will delve into its technical specifications, performance, usability, and overall value for astronomers and astrophotographers alike.
The camera arrived well packaged and in a strong cardboard box, (not a small peli case) on opening this box I was greeted with its contents, well fitted into hard foam cutouts. The camera along with dedicated 12v power supply, USB 3 cable, plus a 16.5mm spacer and two M42 front plates to give the two different backfocus amounts.
I set up this camera with the very popular image capture software NINA, and it was very straight forward, using both the native Touptek driver and the supplied ASCOM driver, there are more controls for the camera within NINA if you use the native driver, as the NINA developers have built this driver into the software so there is no installing of any software at all, just plug the camera into the PC and open NINA and you re ready to go.
Cooling was a bit slow, but it got to the -10 degrees I set it to, and held that temp within + or - 0.1 degrees, which is about as well as most other cameras on the market. Touptek say in their spec for this camera that it will cool to -47 below ambient, I am not sure about this as I could not get that low with the model i tested. There is also a sensor window heater with 4 settings, I left this set on the default of 2 and seemed to work as it should, although at the time of testing it was not really that cold, so was hard to tell.
There are several imaging modes, as well as a HDR (high dynamic range) mode, but as of writing this review that particular mode was still being worked on by Touptek and new firmwares were being released to solve a couple of potential trial issues with that mode. This camera also boasts zero amp glow, which is another great selling point IMHO. Personally I used the High Gain mode and left it on that all the time, and used the unity gain settings for the camera. I found this to be the best compromise of sensitivity and dynamic range for my imaging needs.
The camera comes with two options of connection, one which gives a 17.5mm distance from sensor to front of camera, and another at 12.5mm, for when you needed a bit more space to fit filter drawers and, or off axis guiders, which was a nice touch.
Connection of the camera was flawless, the supplied usb cable did seem to produce a few lines across the image, but i swapped that out for a much better quality one and that issue was solved. The camera was instantly found by NINA and all the settings became visible, again without having to install any software or drivers at all. The two port USB hub on the back of the camera worked as it should, but this is really only for items that don't require much power, or for devices that already have there own power supply.
In the box was a usual 12v generic power supply which works as it should with no issues, I did not use this as I have a Pegasus power hub on my mount
Technical Specifications:
Sensor:
Model: Sony IMX585 Cooled Colour
Type: CMOS
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (8.29 Megapixels)
Pixel Size: 2.9 x 2.9 µm
Sensor Size: 1/1.2"
Dynamic Range: High dynamic range with low noise
Quantum Efficiency: High sensitivity in the visible spectrum
Frame Rate: Up to 47 FPS at full resolution
Bit Depth: 12-bit output, with higher dynamic range in 16-bit mode
Exposure Range: 32 µs to 2000 s
Read Noise: Low read noise, enhancing signal-to-noise ratio
Amp Glow: zero
Interface:
Connectivity: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Compatible with all major astrophotography software
Power: Powered by 12v power supply
USB Hub: Two port USB 2 hub on the back of the camera
Cooling Type: TEC cooling down to -47 below ambient
Mechanical:
Weight:Approximately 580 grams
Dimensions: Approx 80mm x 110mm
Connection: 2 options for M42 connection, 17.5mm and 12.5mm backspace
Performance:
The IMX585 sensor is the highlight of the Touptek IMX585c camera. Known for its high sensitivity and low noise, and zero amp glow, the IMX585 sensor is particularly effective in capturing faint celestial objects. The small pixel size of 2.9 µm allows for high-resolution imaging, essential for detailed astrophotography.
Low Light Performance:
The high quantum efficiency and low read noise make this camera excellent for deep-sky imaging. The dynamic range ensures that both bright and faint objects can be captured with good contrast and detail. This camera also has no amp glow which has been an issue with some cameras for a while.
Colour Fidelity:
As a colour camera, the IMX585c provides vibrant and accurate colour representation of celestial objects without the need for separate filters and monochrome stacking. This makes it particularly suitable for beginner to intermediate astrophotographers who want to capture detailed and colorful images with less post-processing.
Frame Rate and Bit Depth:
The ability to capture up to 47 frames per second at full resolution is beneficial for planetary imaging and capturing transient events. The 12-bit output is standard, but the higher dynamic range available in the 16-bit mode is advantageous for capturing more subtle details in deep-sky images.
Usability:
Software Compatibility: The camera is compatible with popular astrophotography software such as the supplied Touptek astro software, along with SharpCap & FireCapture for planetary imaging, and NINA, SGP and any others that use ASCOM drivers. This ensures a smooth workflow for users familiar with these platforms.
Setup and Mounting:
The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to mount on a variety of telescopes. The standard USB 3.0 interface ensures fast data transfer and simplifies the connection process.
User Experience:
I found it was a straightforward setup process with intuitive controls. The camera’s performance in both planetary and deep-sky imaging scenarios has been praised, particularly noting the crisp, high-resolution images and the camera’s ability to handle various lighting conditions effectively.
The camera is suited to imaging with different set ups, but I particularly liked using with my long focal length SCT for capturing small galaxies and faint fuzzies.
Also using with my longer refractor capturing small planetary nebula and such like was very enjoyable.
Value for Money:
The Touptek IMX585c Cooled is competitively priced, offering high-end features at a mid-range cost. Compared to other cameras with similar specifications, it provides excellent value, especially considering its performance and ease of use.
For astrophotographers looking to upgrade from entry-level equipment or those wanting to capture high-quality images without investing in a more expensive monochrome setup with filters, the IMX585c is an excellent choice.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
High sensitivity and low noise
Zero amp glow
Excellent accurate TEC cooling
Excellent color fidelity
High resolution with small pixel size
Good frame rate for planetary imaging
Wide exposure range
Competitive pricing
Simple set up with imaging software
Cons:
Being a color camera, it might not match the flexibility and ultimate detail of monochrome cameras with filters for advanced users
My Conclusion:
The Touptek IMX585c astro imaging camera stands out as a powerful and versatile tool for both amateur and intermediate astrophotographers. Its combination of high sensitivity, low noise, and also simple to set up out of the box, makes it a reliable choice for capturing both deep-sky and planetary images. The overall performance and value make it a highly recommended camera for those looking to enhance their astrophotography experience. If you are looking for a good versatile one shot colour camera to buy for a range of Astro imaging needs, with a short longish focal length telescope, then this should be on your list to consider.
M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy, this was one imageI took with this camera, this was only a couple of hours worth of 1 min exposures, through my Skywatcher Esprit 100, using just a generic light pollution filter.
Checkout the Touptek website for info on this camera:
A full review is available on my Youtube channel at:
