The ToupTek ATR 533C colour cooled camera can also be considered an alternative to the popular ZWO ASI 533MC PRO monochrome camera, as it is built around the same Sony sensor and therefore offers almost identical capabilities. Its efficient built-in Peltier cooler can reduce the temperature of the sensor, which heats up during long exposures, by up to 45°C below ambient temperature, minimising image noise. To compensate for its high cooling capacity, the camera also features anti-dew heating.
The camera captures colour images in a single shot, eliminating the need for the L-RGB colour filter technique essential for monochrome versions. The 9-megapixel (3008 x 3008) Sony IMX533 sensor is one of the company’s most sensitive sensors. Its square format is particularly useful for solar and lunar imaging, while also offering greater freedom when composing deep-sky images. Its 14-bit ADC output provides an exceptionally wide tonal range and facilitates post-processing of images containing fainter areas.
With many cameras, longer exposures often resulted in "amp glow", which could only be corrected during post-processing. The ToupTek ATR 533C colour cooled camera enables long-exposure imaging with low noise levels while eliminating the "amp glow" effect associated with gain. Its internal 512 MB DDR3 memory buffer makes a significant contribution to this performance while also ensuring stable data transfer.
With its 16 mm image circle, the ToupTek ATR 533C colour cooled camera sensor is also suitable for wide-field deep-sky imaging. The 3.76 μm pixel size makes it an ideal choice for short focal length, fast focal ratio optics. It is also ideal for deep-sky imaging thanks to its very high (QE >90%) sensitivity. As the camera does not feature a built-in UV/IR filter, it remains sensitive to these wavelengths as well.
Of course, it can capture not only still images but also videos when used as a planetary camera. At its maximum 3008 x 3000 resolution, video can be recorded at 20 fps (frames per second). At the lower 1488 x 1500 resolution, speeds of up to 62 fps are available, which is an exceptionally high value at this resolution. The rear panel features one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a 12V DC socket. A row of status LEDs keeps the user informed about operation.
Numerous free image capture applications are available online. For Windows, we particularly recommend SharpCap and FireCapture, although the camera also works very well with the manufacturer’s own ToupSky software. The popular PHD2 software also supports the camera, while the ASCOM driver provides even broader compatibility. The camera can be used with Windows, Linux, and Macintosh operating systems.
Package contents:
- ToupTek ATR 533C colour cooled camera
- Mains power supply + cable
- 12.5 mm T2 adapter (starter adapter for 12.5 mm back focus)
- 16.5 mm T2-M48 adapter
- 21 mm T2 extension adapter
- USB 3.0 cable (1.5 m)
