Color Cameras
Color cameras are popular choices for astrophotographers thanks to their affordability, ease of use, and time saving capabilities! There is no need to purchase additional filters to create an in-color image, as color cameras register red, green, and blue photons all in one go. Imaging through multiple filters and juggling multiple sets of data is a non-issue with these types of cameras, making image acquisition and post-processing a breeze. Projects can be completely in a more timely manner, and as a result, color cameras are favored by those who have limited amount of time to image or those who live in regions where clear skies are few and far between. This ASI2600MC Pro, for instance, is one of the most sought-after color cameras around thanks to the rich color data it produces and vibrant detail it delivers!
So, how exactly do color cameras work? The sensors within color cameras are fitted with an internal color filter array, typically in a 2x2 grid, that's overlayed on top of the camera sensor. Referred to as a Bayer pattern, this grid features one red, one blue, and two green filters. When an incoming red photon hits a red filtered pixel well, it will be recorded into signal, and so forth with the other two colors with their respective filters.
Since the pixel wells are color coded and only capture specific colors, one downside to color cameras is that their internal color filter array reduces the amount of light the sensor can collect overall. This means color cameras produce frames with a lower signal to noise ratio in comparison to frames taken with a monochrome camera. Though overall less sensitive than their monochrome counterparts, the benefits of convenience and user-friendliness counterbalance this drawback of signal conversion.
Advantages of Color Cameras
- No need to buy external filters
- Produces a full color image in one exposure
- Completion of a project in less amount of time
- More affordable than monochrome cameras
Disadvantages of Color Cameras
- Less sensitive than monochrome cameras
- More noisy than monochrome cameras
Ready to find the best color camera for you? We have you covered! Take a look at our extensive selection of available color cameras by clicking the image below!
Monochrome Cameras
For those who want to capture the most detail and get the most out of their gear, monochrome cameras are the way to go! These cameras are the most sensitive cameras around, maximizing the light gathering power of your telescope. This is achieved through the absence of an internal color filter array, allowing every pixel well to capture incoming photons regardless of color. By having more pixels that can capture more photons, the signal to noise ratio is significantly increased! This heightened sensitivity can be witnessed with the popular ZWO ASI2600MM Pro, fitted with a 91% peak QE compared to the 80% peak QE of its color counterpart, the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro.
As monochrome cameras image in black and white, external filters are needed to produce a full color image. These filters can be simple LRGB filters or extreme light blocking narrowband filters; with at least two sets of data through two different filters necessary. After the data from each filter is collected, it is then brought into post-processing software to combine into a full color image. Due to the fact that all pixels are being utilized as opposed to a Bayer pattern’s ratio of one red, to one blue, to two green pixels, monochrome cameras can collect up to 4x the red photons, 4x the blue photons, and 2x the green photons than color cameras are able to.
While more time and equipment is needed to complete an image, the data collected by monochrome cameras is far more detailed than that of color cameras. This makes monochrome cameras essential for cosmic discoveries, scientific applications, or for those who want to take their astrophotography to the next level!
Monochrome Camera Benefits
- The most sensitive type of camera
- Exceptional detail resolution
- High signal to noise ratio
Disadvantages of Monochrome Cameras
- Must shoot through multiple filters to create an in-color image
- More time required to complete an image
Now that you have a better understanding of monochrome cameras, it’s time find the right one for you! Check out our huge selection of monochrome cameras we carry here at High Point Scientific by clicking the image below.