Andor Zyla 4.2 PLUS sCMOS Camera
| Brand | Oxford Instruments |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Model | Zyla 4.2 PLUS sCMOS |
| Image Resolution | 2048 × 2048 |
| Pixel Size | 6.5 µm |
| Sensor Area | 13 mm × 13 mm |
| Onboard Memory | 4 GB |
| Readout Speed | 540 MHz |
| Dynamic Range | 33,000:1 |
| Quantum Efficiency (QE) | 82% |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Full-Frame Frame Rate | 53 fps |
| FCS ROI Frame Rate (2048 × 8) | 26,041 fps |
| Read Noise | < 1 e⁻ |
| Linearity | 99.8% |
Overview
The Andor Zyla 4.2 PLUS sCMOS Camera is a high-performance scientific imaging platform engineered by Oxford Instruments for demanding low-light quantitative microscopy applications. Built upon a next-generation back-illuminated sCMOS sensor architecture, it delivers exceptional quantum efficiency (up to 82% at peak wavelength), ultra-low read noise (< 1 e⁻), and a dynamic range of 33,000:1 — enabling precise photon-limited measurements across diverse modalities including fluorescence microscopy, light-sheet imaging, confocal line scanning, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and super-resolution techniques. Its monolithic 2048 × 2048 pixel sensor (13 mm × 13 mm active area, 6.5 µm pixel pitch) combines spatial resolution with high-speed acquisition capabilities, supporting full-frame rates of 53 fps over USB 3.0 — a 77% improvement over comparable sCMOS systems. The camera’s optical design incorporates advanced microlens optimization to maximize QE across the visible and near-UV spectrum, making it especially well-suited for excitation wavelengths used with common fluorophores such as GFP, mCherry, Alexa Fluor dyes, and DAPI.
Key Features
- Back-illuminated sCMOS sensor with peak quantum efficiency of 82%, optimized via enhanced microlens array design
- Full-resolution frame rate of 53 fps at 2048 × 2048 via USB 3.0 interface — no external frame grabber required
- Ultra-low read noise (99.8% quantitative linearity across full dynamic range
- Dedicated high-speed acquisition modes: FCS mode achieves 26,041 fps at 2048(h) × 8(v) ROI; line-scan and light-sheet synchronization protocols supported
- 4 GB onboard memory buffer for sustained burst acquisition and latency-free streaming
- Compact, vibration-damped mechanical housing suitable for integration into OEM systems and multi-axis microscope platforms
- Thermoelectric cooling (−10 °C typical stabilization) for dark current suppression in long-exposure applications
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Zyla 4.2 PLUS is compatible with standard C-mount and F-mount optical interfaces and integrates seamlessly with major microscope platforms (Nikon, Olympus, Zeiss, Leica) via TTL and analog trigger support. It meets essential regulatory requirements for research instrumentation, including CE marking under the EU Machinery Directive and RoHS compliance. While not certified for clinical diagnostics or IVD use, its hardware and firmware architecture supports audit-ready data integrity practices aligned with GLP and GMP environments — particularly when deployed with Andor’s Solis or SDK-based custom software that enables full metadata logging, timestamping, and non-destructive image annotation. The camera complies with USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) specifications for USB 3.0 host communication, ensuring interoperability across Windows and Linux-based acquisition workstations.
Software & Data Management
Andor provides native control through Solis® software — a feature-rich, validated application offering real-time histogram analysis, region-of-interest (ROI) monitoring, multi-channel time-lapse sequencing, and automated exposure calibration. For integration into custom workflows, the camera supports Andor’s Software Development Kit (SDK), which delivers full API access to all hardware parameters (gain, exposure, triggering, binning, ROI definition) under Python, MATLAB, C++, and LabVIEW. All acquired images are saved in TIFF or HDF5 format with embedded EXIF-like metadata (exposure time, temperature, gain, sensor ID, timestamp), facilitating FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. Optional SDK extensions support FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures and audit trail generation for regulated laboratories.
Applications
- Live-cell fluorescence imaging requiring high temporal resolution and minimal phototoxicity
- Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) with synchronized illumination gating and volumetric tiling
- Confocal line-scanning and resonant scanning systems requiring precise pixel dwell time alignment
- Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and number and brightness (N&B) analysis at microsecond-scale temporal resolution
- Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), including PALM and STORM, where high QE and low noise improve localization precision
- OEM integration into automated assay readers, spectral imaging systems, and industrial inspection platforms
FAQ
What is the maximum sustained frame rate at full resolution?
53 fps at 2048 × 2048 pixels using USB 3.0; no external frame grabber required.
Does the camera support hardware triggering and synchronization?
Yes — TTL-compatible input/output triggers for external laser gating, stage positioning, and multi-camera coordination.
Is the sensor cooled, and what is the typical operating temperature?
Yes — thermoelectrically cooled to −10 °C below ambient (typical), with optional fanless operation for vibration-sensitive setups.
Can the Zyla 4.2 PLUS be used in regulated environments (e.g., GLP/GMP)?
While not an IVD device, its SDK and Solis software support audit trail logging, user access control, and metadata-rich file export — enabling compliance with GLP documentation standards.
What software development environments are supported?
Native SDK bindings for Python, MATLAB, C/C++, and LabVIEW; full source code examples included with SDK license.
