SBIG ST-2000XCM 2.0 Megapixel Camera with Kodak KAI-2020CM Imaging CCD.

The ST-2000XCM is the same camera as the ST-2000XM monochrome, except that it uses a Kodak KAI-2020CM color CCD for single-shot color imaging. The KAI-2020CM CCD is a high-performance 2 million pixel sensor designed for a wide range of medical, scientific and machine vision applications. The 7.4 um square pixels with micro lenses provide high sensitivity and the large full well capacity results in high dynamic range. The vertical overflow drain structure provides antiblooming protection and enables electronic shuttering for precise exposure control. Other features include low read noise, low dark current, negligible lag and low smear.

Like the monochrome version, the ST-2000XCM has an active image area of 1600 x 1200 pixels. This array is 75% larger than the Sony CCD used in competitors' "megapixel" one shot color cameras and the ST-2000XCM is a self-guiding camera, utilizing SBIG's patented dual sensor design. The imaging CCD is nearly the same size as the KAF-1603ME used in the ST- 8XME but due to the smaller pixel size it contains nearly half a million more pixels than the ST-8XME. Full frame download time is approximately 4.5 seconds with the high speed USB 1.1 electronics. This camera is also fully compatible with all of SBIG's existing accessories such as the AO-7 adaptive optics device.

The benefit of one-shot color is that no external color filters are used and self-guiding is always done through an unfiltered optical train (except for a UV/IR blocker if required). This makes finding guide stars easier and guiding a single exposure takes less time than guiding three or four RGB or LRGB exposures through color filters. On the other hand, the benefit of the monochrome version is that the filters can be selected by the user to match the CCD characteristics better, to perform photometry, or to do narrow band imaging. Ultimately, the monochrome camera with custom filters will produce a superior result. The trade-off is ease of use vs. sensitivity and flexibility.