How does the Pixera 120es compare against “cooled CCD” cameras?
In most cases, the frame averaging enhanced software (0.3 lux sensitivity) of the 120es compares favorably against “cooled CCD” cameras. The 120es also has distinct advantages in the areas of breadth of software features, ease of use, resolution (in the case of VGA resolution cameras) and of course price. A cooled CCD camera will have an advantage for very low light or very dim samples that require long exposure times even to accumulate enough signal to see the sample. If the light from the sample is so dim that you cannot see it through the eyepieces, then you may need to use a cooled CCD camera with long exposure times. Not to be ignored is the fact that the 120es is at least a couple to several thousand dollars less than other cooled CCD cameras yet delivers excellent images for most of the applications that previously required a cooled CCD camera.
