5. QE Graph & Read Noise
QE and Read noise are the most important parts to measure the performance of a camera.
Higher QE and Lower read noise are needed to improve the SNR of an image.
Read noise includes pixel diode noise, circuit noise and ADC quantization error noise, and
the lower the better.
The Read Noise of the ASI294 cameras is special. HCG (high conversion gain) mode, which
reduces read noise to even lower levels at higher gain without loss to dynamic range, is
automatically enabled when the gain setting is 120 or higher. Read noise will drop to under 2e-,
while dynamic range will remain at 13 stops.
Depending on your target, you can set the gain lower for higher dynamic range (longer
exposure) or set the gain higher for lower noise ( such as short exposure or lucky imaging).
Relative QE Curve
ASI294 Manual
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