iOptron iCAM464C Planetary Camera

iOptron iCAM464C Planetary Camera (Color)

High-speed lunar and planetary imaging with Sony sensor performance.

Designed with the discerning planetary imager in mind, the iOptron iCAM464C is a high-performance color planetary camera built around the sensitive Sony IMX464 CMOS sensor. With high frame rates, low read noise, and excellent sensitivity in visible and near-infrared wavelengths, this compact powerhouse gives you the detail and clarity needed to capture stunning images of the Moon, planets, and even brighter deep-sky targets through lucky imaging techniques.

Whether you’re imaging Jupiter’s cloud bands, the Cassini Division in Saturn’s rings, or sunspots on a white-light solar setup (with proper filtering), the iCAM464C delivers impressive results in a user-friendly package.

Key Features:

• Sony IMX464 1/1.8" Back-Illuminated CMOS Sensor (Color)

• 2.9-Micron Pixel Size for Excellent Resolution

• Low Read Noise and High QE for Faint Details

• USB 3.0 Interface for High-Speed Frame Transfer

• Capture up to 93 FPS at Full Resolution (1944x1096)

• Compact and Lightweight Aluminum Body

• C-Mount and 1.25" Nosepiece Included

• Standard ST-4 Guiding Port for Multi-Purpose Use

Sony IMX464 Sensor: Built for Speed and Sensitivity

At the heart of the iCAM464C is the Sony IMX464 sensor, known for its exceptional sensitivity, fast frame rates, and near-infrared response. The 2.9µm pixels provide a balanced combination of resolution and sensitivity, ideal for planetary imaging where short exposures and high frame rates are critical to freezing atmospheric turbulence.

The sensor’s back-illuminated architecture enhances low-light performance, and its low read noise allows for clean frames even at high gain—perfect for stacking thousands of frames during post-processing.

Fast Frame Rates for Lucky Imaging

Capturing detail on the planets requires freezing moments of clarity between turbulent seeing conditions. The iCAM464C is capable of up to 93 frames per second at full resolution (1944 x 1096), and even higher speeds at cropped ROIs (regions of interest), allowing you to stack only the sharpest frames from your session for maximum detail and clarity.

Plug-and-Play USB 3.0 Interface

The camera connects to your computer via a fast USB 3.0 port, ensuring smooth data transfer with minimal latency. This allows for real-time focusing, previewing, and frame capture—especially helpful when fine-tuning critical focus on lunar or planetary features.

The USB 3.0 interface also powers the camera, so there’s no need for separate power supplies or battery packs.

Dual Use: Imaging and Guiding

While the iCAM464C is optimized for planetary imaging, it also includes a standard ST-4 guide port, giving it added value as an autoguider for deep-sky tracking systems. This makes it a great dual-purpose tool for imagers who want one camera that can handle guiding duties and capture high-quality planetary videos.

Compact, Rugged Design

The camera’s body is CNC-machined aluminum with an anodized finish, designed to dissipate heat efficiently and maintain consistent performance even during long capture sessions. It includes a C-mount thread as well as a 1.25" nosepiece adapter, so you can easily attach it to most telescope focusers or filter wheels.

Technical Specifications

Observing Tip:

For best results on Jupiter, capture several 2–3 minute video sequences and stack the top 10–20% of frames using a program like AutoStakkert! or RegiStax. Apply wavelet sharpening to bring out surface banding, festoons, and polar features. The iCAM464C’s fast frame rate and high sensitivity will give you enough data to reveal incredible planetary detail—even under average seeing.