Resources
Part of the Oxford Instruments Group
Expand
Collapse
Part of the Oxford Instruments Group
Andor supplies a range of high sensitivity, exceptional quality sCMOS and CCD scientific imaging and spectroscopy camera solutions to a broad portfolio of OEM partners across the globe, and maintains a solid reputation as a reliable, supportive and adaptable OEM supplier, with high volume manufacturing capacity.
A selection of Andor’s potential ‘On-Semiconductor CCD replacement’ camera models are shown in the Table 1 below:
| Camera Model | Technology | Array Size | Megapixels | Pixel Size (µm) | Sensor Diagonal (mm) | QE Max (%) | Air Cooling Temp (°C) | |
| X | Y | |||||||
| Zyla 4.2 | sCMOS | 2048 | 2048 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 18.8 | 82 | 0 |
| Zyla 5.5 | sCMOS | 2560 | 2160 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 21.8 | 64 | 0 |
| Neo 5.5 | sCMOS | 2560 | 2160 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 21.8 | 64 | -30 |
| Marana 4.2B-11 | sCMOS (BSI) | 2048 | 2048 | 5.5 | 11 | 32 | 95 | -25 |
| Marana 4.2B-6 | sCMOS (BSI) | 2048 | 2048 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 18.8 | 95 | -25 |
| Balor 17F | sCMOS | 1024 | 1024 | 16.9 | 12 | 70 | 61 | -10 |
| iKon-M 934 | CCD (BSI) | 1024 | 1024 | 1.05 | 13 | 18.8 | 95 | -80 |
| iKon-M 912 | CCD (BSI) | 512 | 512 | 0.26 | 24 | 17.4 | 95 | -80 |
| iKon-M 936 | CCD (BSI) | 2048 | 2048 | 4.2 | 13.5 | 39.1 | 95 | -80 |
| iDus 412A | CCD (BSI) | 512 | 512 | 0.26 | 24 | 17.4 | 95 | -55 |
| iVac | CCD | 1650 | 200 | 0.33 | 16 | 26.6 | 58 | -60 |
Table 1 – Selection of Andor imaging sCMOS and CCD models and their key performance specs, many of which are manufactured and supplied at high volumes for OEM instrumentation partners (BSI = Backside illuminated for 95% QE max).
Andor Scientific CMOS (sCMOS) imaging cameras can provide a superior price/performance replacement technology for low light luminescence/fluorescence detection. Andor is a well-established volume OEM provider, shipping thousands of high quality sCMOS cameras every year. The Zyla and Neo sCMOS camera models represent particularly attractive OEM solutions, offering an excellent price/performance balance.
While sCMOS cameras excel under high frame rate conditions, achieving world class low read noise, even with high-res sensor readout times of < 20 milliseconds, the technology can also readily be used for longer exposure quantification of low light chemiluminescence signal. Since sCMOS ultra-low read noise is ~ 1 electron, then the overall noise floor (i.e. read noise and dark noise combined) remains lower than that of a cooled On-Semiconductor CCD sensor even under exposures of several minutes.
Figure 1 – Plot of noise floor (read noise and bulk dark noise combined) versus exposure duration
Andor deep cooled CCD cameras offer the ultimate in suppressed dark noise over any exposure duration, combined with back-illuminated 95% QE photon collection. iKon-M and iKon-L vacuum cooled imaging CCDs represent superb solutions for extremely low light luminescence detection.
The super-compact iVac models are specifically designed for spectroscopic OEM applications, with performance and reliability in mind. The combination of high NIR sensitivity, high resolution 15 and 16 μm pixel sensor formats provide the optimum platform for a wide range of research benchtop, industrial process control, or spectrally-assisted medical diagnosis instruments.
Andor’s UltraVacTM proprietary vacuum sensor enclosures enable not only market-leading deep cooling and noise suppression, but they also represent the ultimate in year-after-year maintenance-free performance longevity, thus minimizing your instrument’s servicing requirement.
Figure 2 – Plot of noise floor (read noise and bulk dark noise combined) versus exposure duration
The table below summarises a selection of On-Semiconductor CCD sensors and their key imaging properties such as array format and pixel size. It also shows the Apogee Alta models that housed these sensors (recently discontinued). Finally it offers some suggested replacement models. This is only a guide however and we thoroughly recommend a more in-depth discussion with one of our OEM solution specialists to better assess your technical and commercial needs
| On-Semi CCD | Alta Model | Array Size | Megapixels | Pixel Size (µm) | Sensor Diagonal (mm) | Recommended Replacement Model | |
| X | Y | ||||||
| KAF-8300 | F8300 | 3326 | 2504 | 8.3 | 5.4 | 23.2 | Zyla 5.5, Neo 5.5 |
| KAF-3200 | F32 | 2184 | 1472 | 3.2 | 6.8 | 18.1 | Zyla 4.2 PLUS, Zyla 5.5, Neo 5.5 |
| KAF-1603 | F2 | 1536 | 1024 | 1.6 | 9 | 16.6 | Zyla 4.2 PLUS |
| KAF-1001 | F6 | 1024 | 1024 | 1 | 24 | 34.8 | Zyla 5.5, Neo 5.5 |
| KAF-0402 | F1 | 768 | 512 | 0.4 | 9 | 8.3 | Zyla 4.2 PLUS |
| KAF-0261 | F260 | 512 | 512 | 0.3 | 20 | 14.5 | iKon-M 912, iDus 412A |
| KAF-4022 | F4000 | 2048 | 2048 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 21.4 | Zyla 4.2 PLUS, Zyla 5.5 |
| KAF-16801 | F16 | 4096 | 4096 | 16.8 | 9 | 52.1 | iKon-L, Balor 17F |
| KAF-16803 | F16M | 4096 | 4096 | 16.8 | 9 | 52.1 | iKon-L, Balor 17F |
| KAF-0900 | F9000 | 3056 | 3056 | 9.3 | 12 | 51.9 | iKon-L, Balor 17F |
Table 2 – Selection of On-Semiconductor CCD sensors models and their key imaging parameters, alongside suggested potential Andor replacement models (initial guidance only).
© Oxford Instruments 2025
