Gear Database

QHY294M Pro

QHY

QHY294M Pro is a Micro Four Thirds monochrome astronomy camera for LRGB and narrowband deep-sky imaging.

camera midrange
QHY294M Pro

Best Current Offer

Cloud Break Optics logo
Cloud Break Optics
In stock
$1,429.00

Specifications

Sensor

Sensor model
SONY IMX492 (MONO)
Sensor type
Mono only (QHY294C Discontinued in 2022)
Color / mono
Monochrome
Sensor size
4/3 inch 19.28 mm*12.95 mm
Megapixels
11.7 MP
Resolution
11.7MP 46.8MP(Extended Pixel Mode)
Pixel size
4.63 µm*4.63 µm
Shutter
Electric Rolling Shutter
Read noise
1.6-1.2e-
Full well
65 ke-
Exposure range
60us-3600sec

Specifications

Weight
650 g

Cooling

Cooling
Dual Stage TEC cooler(about -35C below ambient)
Sensor window
AR+AR High Quality Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Coating

Mechanical

Interface
USB3.0
Buffer
256MByte DDR3 Memory

Sensor / electronics

ADC
14-bit
Back focus
17.5mm

Astrophotography Fit

A cooled monochrome camera best used where its sensor size and workflow match the telescope and calibration plan.

QHY294M Pro is a midrange monochrome camera aimed at LRGB and narrowband deep-sky imaging.

As a mono camera, it becomes a system only after you add a filter wheel, LRGB filters, and narrowband filters. The payoff is stronger control over signal, star color, and emission-line contrast, but the setup asks for calibration discipline.

For high-frame-rate work, pair it with a long focal length telescope, an ADC when planets are low, and capture software that can record short exposures quickly. It is less satisfying as the only deep-sky camera unless the target scale and sensor size make sense.

Best paired with

  • Electronic filter wheel sized for the sensor and back-focus budget
  • LRGB plus Ha, OIII, and SII filters matched to the sky conditions
  • Guided refractors or corrected astrographs with a clean calibration-frame library

Not recommended for

  • First-time imagers who want a simple one-shot color workflow
  • Rigs without budget or back focus for a filter wheel and filters
  • Casual sessions where darks, flats, and repeatable gain settings are unlikely

Where To Buy

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Retailer Price Availability View Offer
Cloud Break Optics logo
Cloud Break Optics
Cloud Break Optics
$1,429.00
In stock
Updated 5/10/2026
View Offer - $1,429.00