QHY163M The QHY163M is a monochrome Four Thirds CMOS astronomy camera with a 4656 × 3522 array and 3.8 µm pixels. QHY’s archived technical table lists a 17.7 × 13.4 mm sensor area, 18–20 ke full well and 12/10-bit ADC with 16/8-bit output.
Manufacturer model: QHY163M · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
The QHY163M is a monochrome Four Thirds CMOS astronomy camera with a 4656 × 3522 array and 3.8 µm pixels. QHY’s archived technical table lists a 17.7 × 13.4 mm sensor area, 18–20 ke full well and 12/10-bit ADC with 16/8-bit output.
Readout and cooling
The archive specifies up to 22.5 fps at full resolution in 8-bit output, a 128 MB DDR2 buffer, USB 3.0, 1.0-electron high-gain read noise and 2.4-electron low-gain read noise. Two-stage regulated TEC cooling is specified at approximately 40 °C below ambient in a 20 °C test environment.
Optical train and dew control
The archived product table specifies an M42 × 0.75 connection and 17.5 mm backfocus. The AR+AR window and desiccant-tube arrangement support sensor-chamber moisture control. The older manual gives adapter-specific distances, so use the drawing for the actual front assembly.
Power and control
The exact-model manual specifies USB power for the electronics and external 12 V power for TEC cooling. An independently chosen adapter must provide at least 3.5 A and centre-positive polarity.
Use the named-model manufacturer connection diagram and the backfocus reference for the selected adapter. Readout mode and output format affect frame rate, noise and full-well capacity.
Additional specifications
Effective pixel array
4656*3522
Full well
18ke- to 20ke-
Max full frame rate and roi frame rate
22.5FPS@16mega Full Resolution 30FPS@4K HD Video 57FPS@1920*1080 60FPS@1280*1024 80FPS@1024*768 100fps@800*600
Filter wheel port
4-pin QHY CFW2 socket
Manufacturer lifecycle
Discontinued in 2023 according to QHY archive
54776
Data sheet
ADC and output
12bit/10bit (output as 16bit and 8bit)
Amplifier glow
Yes
Anti dew heater
Silicon gel tube socket
Backfocus
17.5mm
Colour mode
Monochrome
Computer interface
USB3.0
Cooling
Dual Stage TEC cooler (about -40C below ambient）（Test temperature +20°）
Dark current
0.006e/pixel/sec @ -20C
Effective pixels
16 mega
Exposure time range
60us-1800sec
Guide port
6-pin RJ11
Image buffer
128MB DDR2 memory
Model
QHY163M
Optical connection
M42/0.75
Pixel size
3.8um*3.8um
Power supply
12 V external TEC supply, at least 3.5 A, centre-positive; camera electronics USB powered
Protective window
QHY163M: AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating
Read noise
2.4e@low gain 1.0e@high gain
Sensor
Panasonic 16mega pixel 4/3inch sensor
Sensor illumination
FSI
Sensor size
Typical 4/3inch 17.7mm*13.4mm
Shutter
Electric Rolling Shutter
Unity gain
120
Weight
442g
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QHY163M The QHY163M is a monochrome Four Thirds CMOS astronomy camera with a 4656 × 3522 array and 3.8 µm pixels. QHY’s archived technical table lists a 17.7 × 13.4 mm sensor area, 18–20 ke full well and 12/10-bit ADC with 16/8-bit output.
Manufacturer model: QHY163M · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
