Comparison The Cameras Compared
Which is best - a deep sky video camera, or a CCD camera?
Well, the table below gives a comparison. You'll see that the cameras are complementary - ideally, you should have both types. The CCD camera for those very deepsky images, painstakingly set up, and a WDR or Mintron camera for, well, everything else, that is: live video, easy setup, easy sharing of viewing, comet searching, finder and tracking device, night wildlife, etc.
Those on a budget would be advised to purchase a WDR. This has a smaller chip size than the Mintrons, but same number of pixels, colour or BW images, and long exposure of 10 sec gives greater sensitivity. Cheaper too.
The money would not be wasted, even if a CCD camera were purchased subsequently. Then, the WDR would considerably assist in the processes of finding, pointing and tracking objects for the CCD camera.

Mintron 12V1- EX/HAD and CCD Cameras Compared Feature Mintron 12V1-EX Mintron 12V-HAD Typical CCD camera New WDR Camera Cost £259 + £229 + £900 + Less than £200 Imaging device 1/2" SONY Ex-View CCD ICX249AL 1/2" SONY HAD CCD ICX039DLA 1/2" SONY Ex-View CCD ICX249AL 1/3" SONY Interline Double Density. Picture Element 752(H) x 582(V) 752(H) x 582(V) 752(H) x 582(V) 752(H) x 582(V) Picture Element Monochrome (B/W) extended Infra-red sensitivity Monochrome (B/W) extended Infra-red sensitivity B/W or colour Built-in mechanical exchange of filters; no filtering in B/W mode to ensure extended Infra-red sensitivity, and infra-red cut off to ensure correct balance of Colour images Ease of Set up Simple - just connect to TV set Simple - just connect to TV set PC required. Complex set up procedures must be learnt Simple - just connect to TV set Live TV Image? YES Picture automatically refreshes every 2.6 secs or less YES Picture automatically refreshes every 2.6 secs or less NO. The camera is blind, until image is exposed and downloaded. YES Picture automatically refreshes every 10 secs or less Sensitivity 0.00005 lux at f1.4 0.0001 lux at f1.4 - about 0.5 magnitude more sensitive than Mintrons Live Image Magnitude Limit (with 8" Scope) 16+ magnitude 15.5 magnitude No live picture 17 magnitude Capture images to PC? Possible with optional capture device Possible with optional capture device YES Possible with optional capture device Captured Image Magnitude Limit (8" scope) 17 magnitude (using capture device and Astrovideo to stack frames) 16.3 magnitude (using capture device and Astrovideo to stack frames) 18 magnitude in 10 secs exposure 19+ magnitude in 1 minute nearly 17+ magnitude (using capture device and Astrovideo to stack frames) Typical Uses Live observations of Deep Sky and other objects Suitable educational use Comet searching Tracking meteors and artificial satellites Use as deep sky finder/tracking device for CCD imaging Live observation of nocturnal wildlife possible Live observations of Deep Sky and other objects Suitable educational use Comet searching Tracking meterors and artificial satellites Use as deep sky finder/tracking device for CCD imaging Live observation of nocturnal wildlife possible Imaging of Deep-sky objects over long integration times Live observations of Deep Sky and other objects Suitable educational use Comet searching Tracking meterors and artificial satellites Use as deep sky finder/tracking device for CCD imaging Live observation of nocturnal wildlife possible Ease of Use The Mintron's fast basic speed, amd live images, make pointing of the telescope very easy No setup required for live observations Can be used with ordinary tripods Accurate tracking mount is not required Focussing very easy The Mintron's fast basic speed, amd live images, make pointing of the telescope very easy No setup required for live observations Can be used with ordinary tripods Accurate tracking mount is not required Focussing very easy Superb images, but setup requires dark frames, flat field exposures, etc An accurate mount is essential You need a Mintron to help point the scope to find your object! Focussing also difficult Fast basic speed, amd live images, make pointing of the telescope very easy No setup required for live observations Can be used with ordinary tripods Accurate tracking mount is not required Focussing very easy Picture Quality All video and CCD cameras will display wonderful images, taking the viewer deeper into the universe. All such super-sensitive cameras will show evidence of artefacts in their live/raw images, such as dead pixels (which show as dark or bright spots) or unevenness in the background. Live TV Great Live TV! Some dead pixels, especially in warm conditions. Best in the cool. Great Live TV! Cleaner image than Mintron EX, but less sensitive. No Live TV images but captured raw images show artefacts including dead pixels. Great Live TV! Cleaner image than Mintron EX, and MORE sensitive. Captured to PC Clean image digital processing (dark frame) provides clean image. Dark frame subtraction provides good clean image. Dark frame subtraction provides good clean image. Dark frame subtraction provides good clean image. To sum up Astonishing live viewing of deepsky objects Also suitable for lunar/planetary use So many different uses Useful functions such as Mirror, Negative, Zoom, S-video output. Supplied with 12.5mm lens Astonishing live viewing of deepsky objects Also suitable for lunar/planetary use So many different uses Useful functions such as Mirror, Negative, Zoom, S-video output. Supplied with 12.5mm lens Remote control of camera setting by PC is possible (lead not supplied) Also Picture Enhance, Picture Freeze, and 1.0 Gamma setting. Superb Recorded images but high cost, lengthy set-up procedure, and long wait for images to download. Astonishing live viewing of deepsky objects Works in Colour or B/W Also suitable for lunar/planetary use So many different uses Useful functions such as Mirror, Negative, Zoom, Supplied with 12.5mm lens Remote control of camera setting by PC is possible (lead not supplied) ******* Mintron 12V1-EX Mintron 12V-HAD CCD camera New WDR Camera