ToupTek G3M290C: IMX290 color camera

The ToupTek G3M290C is a color camera equipped with the Sony IMX290 sensor. It offers a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels with 2.9 µm pixels.

The color sensor uses an RGGB Bayer array and 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion.

Setup and Use

The manufacturer's documentation specifies a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second at a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels via a USB 3.0 connection. Analog-to-digital conversion is performed at 12 bits. These specifications describe the acquisition speed and signal digitization, respectively: they work together to enable planetary or lunar imaging, but do not guarantee the frame rate in all computer configurations.

Power is supplied via the USB 3.0 connection. The camera uses passive cooling; no TEC module is listed for this model. The manufacturer states that the camera is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It includes a USB 3.0 cable, an ST4 guide cable, and a 1.25-inch slip-on adapter in the standard configuration. Be sure to check for the drivers compatible with your system and your chosen image acquisition software.

The color sensor is suitable for imaging where color information is recorded by the camera. It differs from a monochrome version, which requires separately filtered images to reconstruct colors. This choice should be based on your imaging method, not solely on the sensor’s name. The final image also depends on the acquisition and processing; the camera does not replace the need to adjust focus, exposure, and gain.

Image resolution and pixel size address two different issues. The first refers to the grid recorded by the camera; the second describes the size of the sensor’s light-sensitive elements. To choose a configuration, you must therefore consider these factors along with the instrument’s focal length and the desired framing. High resolution is no substitute for proper focusing or a suitable optical setup.

Before installation, check your instrument’s connection, the available space in the optical train, and the software used for data acquisition. Mechanical compatibility and software compatibility are two separate checks. Choosing a housing or a protective window does not eliminate the need to verify the adapters required for the selected mounting configuration. The specifications presented here apply specifically to this model and not to the entire ToupTek product line.

Technical specifications