ToupTek GPCMOS01200KPF: IMX225 color camera

The ToupTek GPCMOS01200KPF is a color camera equipped with the Sony IMX225 sensor. It offers a resolution of 1280 × 960 pixels with 3.75 µm pixels.

This guidance camera features a USB 2.0 connection and a built-in ST4 port. The manufacturer recommends using it with a guidance scope or a ToupTek optical splitter. Select your preferred color from the options.

Setup and Use

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.

In autoguiding, the camera is used to track the star being monitored by the autoguiding software. The ST4 port and the USB connection serve different purposes: the former is used to control a compatible mount, while the USB connection is used to communicate with the computer. This distinction is important when setting up the wiring. The presence of an ST4 port does not turn the camera into a standalone system: be sure to have the appropriate software and connections for your setup.

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.

The available finishes are blue, green, and black. The main photo shows the blue model; it should not be interpreted as a photo of each of the other colors. The choice of finish applies to the camera’s exterior and is separate from the specifications of the sensor and the guidance interface.

Technical specifications