Do Zwo Cameras Average Or Add When Binning

Agena Buyer's Guide to ZWO Astronomy Cameras

Published: Febuary 23, 2018 Updated: September 14, 2021

This buyer's guide from Agena AstroProducts helps you select the best ZWO astronomy camera for your interests and upkeep. This guide walks yous through the key specifications of the total line of ZWO cameras including sensor size, pixel size, read dissonance, download charge per unit, cooling, and color vs. monochrome. It as well gives some bones tips for matching a camera to specific applications such as lunar/solar, planetary, and deep-sky imaging. Afterward reading this guide, you volition be able to make an informed choice when selecting and purchasing a ZWO astronomy photographic camera or, for that thing, any other brand of astronomy camera as well.

• 1. Overview
• two. Types of ZWO Cameras
• iii. ZWO Camera Specifications to Consider
• 3.one Footprint and Mechanics
• 3.2 Port Configurations and Cables
• 3.three Sensor Size and Field of View
• iii.4 Pixel Size and Resolution
• three.5 Pixel Number and Binning
• 3.6 Color vs Monochrome
• iii.seven Noise and Cooling
• 3.viii Other Specifications to Consider - Shutter Speeds, Data Resolution, and Download Rates
• 4. General Recommendations
• iv.1 Starter Cameras
• four.2 Solar Arrangement Imaging Cameras
• four.three Deep-Sky Imaging Cameras
• four.4 Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA)
• 4.5 Autoguiding Cameras
• 5. Accessories for ZWO Cameras
• 6. Summary

1. Overview

As a issue of their low racket and high sensitivity, CCD sensors have been the gold standard for digital astronomy cameras. These semiconductor-based sensors are based on a mature technology that is ideal for low-low-cal applications considering of the efficiency at which they convert light into electrical signals. But CMOS sensors, based on another semiconductor technology, are catching upwardly to CCD sensors in depression-light performance. These sensors are widely used in mass-produced digital cameras, and since they lend themselves to high-book manufacturing techniques, their toll continues to drop. In some applications, including astronomy, the performance of CMOS sensors enables the design of cameras with an splendid price-to-performance ratio.

Figure i - A Sony IMX224 CMOS sensor (Credit: Sony Corp.)

Over the past few years, Chinese manufacturer ZW Optical (ZWO) has introduced a line of CMOS-based cameras for planetary and general purpose astronomy imaging that have developed a large post-obit amid amateur astronomers. These cameras are easy to use, affordable, meaty, and they work with standard camera control and imaging software. They also have high breakthrough efficiencies that are beginning to rival CCD-based cameras, and a wide range of exposure times to capture nigh any celestial object.

However, as more ZWO cameras are introduced, it has become challenging, specially for beginning astronomy imaging enthusiasts, to select a photographic camera from the growing product line. At first glance, the sheer diverseness of available ZWO cameras, coupled with the array of model numbers and other specifications, can be difficult to navigate.

This Agena Heir-apparent's Guide will help yous intermission down all of this information into manageable chunks. You lot volition understand the factors and specifications of ZWO astronomy cameras including sensor size, pixel size, read noise, download rate, cooling, and color vs. monochrome. As y'all read through this guide, nosotros volition help you narrow downward your choices and select the all-time ZWO camera for your interests, equipment, and budget. While this guide is geared towards the first-time astronomy photographic camera buyer, intermediate and advanced imagers should too find this content - especially the summary specification table and recommendations near the end - useful in making their choices.

2. Types of ZWO Cameras

At present, ZWO offers well over 25 photographic camera models. The subsequent sections volition dissect all of these models based on various technical parameters, specifications, and suggested applications. At the highest level, ZWO cameras tin exist classified into one or more of these categories:

• Monochrome (B&W)
• Color Cameras
• Cooled cameras
• Pro cameras
• Mini cameras

In the ZWO production line, monochrome cameras have an 'MM designation every bit in, for example, ASI1600MM. Color cameras have an 'MC' designation, such as the ASI294MC photographic camera.

Cooled cameras, which employ thermoelectric coolers (TECs) to reduce the temperature of the sensor to reduce noise, have a '-Absurd' designation to distinguish them from uncooled cameras. For instance, the ASI385MC-Absurd is a cooled color camera. The ASI385MC is an uncooled color camera. ZWO cameras with the 'Absurd' designation accept been discontinued in favor of the 'Pro' cameras. ZWO 'Pro' cameras include include TECs for cooling likewise as a memory buffer to improve and stabilize data transfer from the camera to a figurer. For example, the ASI094MC-Pro is a color camera with TEC cooling and retentivity buffer.

The ZWO Mini cameras, which have a 'Mini' designation, are monochrome cameras with smaller form factors and USB2.0 interfaces that are ideal for use as autoguiders. An instance is the ASI174MM-Mini. These cameras fit directly into a 1.25" focuser.

Finally, the ASI120-series cameras accept ii models with an '-S' designation. These cameras have a faster USB3.0 interface, whereas the other ASI120-series cameras have a USB2.0 interface. Other than the slower ASI120 cameras and the Mini cameras, all other ZWO cameras currently accept USB3.0 information interfaces.

Tabular array 1 beneath is a quick reference tabular array segmenting all ZWO cameras into one of the above categories. The cameras marked with a (*) accept been discontinued by ZWO and are no longer manufactured.

Table 1: List of Cameras Offered by ZWO

	Non-Cooled	Cooled
Monochrome	ASI120MM*
	ASI120MM-South
	ASI120MM-Mini
	ASI174MM	ASI174MM-COOL*
	ASI174MM-Mini
	ASI178MM	ASI178MM-Cool*
	ASI183MM	ASI183MM-PRO
	ASI290MM	ASI290MM-COOL*
	ASI290MM-Mini
		ASI294MM-Pro
	ASI1600MM	ASI1600MM-PRO
		ASI1600MM-COOL* ASI6200MM-PRO
Color	ASI034MC*
		ASI071MC-Absurd*
		ASI071MC-PRO
		ASI094MC-PRO*
	ASI120MC*
	ASI120MC-Southward
		ASI128MC-PRO*
	ASI174MC*	ASI174MC-COOL*
	ASI178MC	ASI178MC-COOL*
	ASI183MC	ASI183MC-PRO
		ASI183GT
	ASI185MC*	ASI185MC-COOL*
	ASI224MC	ASI224MC-COOL*
	ASI290MC*	ASI290MC-Absurd*
	ASI294MC	ASI294MC-PRO
	ASI385MC	ASI385MC-COOL*
	ASI462MC	ASI533MC-PRO
	ASI482MC	ASI1600MC-PRO
	ASI485MC	ASI1600MC-COOL*
	ASI1600MC	ASI1600GT
		ASI2400MC-PRO
		ASI2600MC-PRO
		ASI6200MC-PRO

3. ZWO Camera Specifications to Consider

3.1 Footprint and Mechanics

ZWO astronomy cameras are housed in CNC machined ruddy-anodized aluminum bodies that stand up to heavy field utilise. The cooled and Pro cameras are larger than the uncooled cameras because they must accomodate large heat sinks and fans to manage heat menses. Mini cameras have the smallest form factor.

With the exception of the Mini cameras, ZWO photographic camera bodies also feature a standard T / T2 M42x0.75 internal (female) thread interface on the telescope/lens side. This thread is very commonly used in astronomy and photography, allowing you to attach a broad diversity of adapters and other accessories to the camera body. Virtually cameras include a 1.25"-T threaded nosepiece adapter so the photographic camera can be inserted direct in standard 1.25" telescope focusers. The front of the camera also has a short 2" butt that can exist directly inserted into 2" telescope focusers. This butt is 8mm-11mm in length depending on the model. However, a separate 2" T threaded prime focus adapter (non included with the camera) is recommended for a more robust and secure connection to 2" telescope focusers.

The 'Pro' cameras, which accept larger sensors that would exist vignetted past a one.25" nosepiece, have ii" extenders so they tin can mountain into larger two" focuers.

The contrary side of about uncooled ZWO cameras features a 1/iv-20 thread in the bottom to make it piece of cake to attach the photographic camera device to a photo camera tripod or mount for use without a telescope. Cooled ZWO cameras can exist mounted in an optional adapter band for mounting to a camera tripod.

Figure 2 - The configuration of the ZWO ASI 174MM and ASI174MC astronomy cameras, which are representative of the configuration of all ZWO uncooled cameras except for the Mini. Image courtesy of ZWO

Table 2 below summarizes key physical specifications of all ZWO cameras.

Table 2: ZWO Astronomy Cameras - Mechanical Specifications

ZWO Camera Model	Color / Monochrome	Bore (mm / in)	Weight (1000 / oz)	Backfocus (mm)	1/4"-20 Mounting Thread
ASI034MC*	Colour	62 / 2.4	100 / three.5	12.five	Yes
ASI071MC-COOL*	Color	78 / 3.1	500 / 17.8	17.v	No
ASI071MC-PRO	Color	86 / 3.4	640 / 22.6	17.5	No
ASI094MC-PRO*	Color	86 / 3.4	640 / 22.half dozen	17.5	No
ASI120MC*	Colour	62 / 2.4	100 / three.five	12.5	Yes
ASI120MM*	Monochrome	62 / 2.4	100 / 3.5	12.five	Yep
ASI120MC-Southward	Color	62 / 2.iv	100 / 3.5	12.5	Yes
ASI120MM-S	Monochrome	62 / 2.four	100 / 3.5	12.5	Yes
ASI120MM-MINI	Monochrome	36 / ane.42	60 / 2.i	8.5	No
ASI128MC-PRO*	Color	86 / 3.four	640 / 22.6	17.5	No
ASI174MC*	Colour	62 / 2.4	140 / 4.nine	17.v**	Yep
ASI174MC-Absurd*	Color	78/ 3.1	410 / fourteen.5	17.5	Aye
ASI174MM	Monochrome	62 / 2.4	140 / 4.nine	17.5**	Yes
ASI174MM-Cool*	Monochrome	78 / 3.1	410 / 14.five	17.5	No
ASI174MM-MINI	Monochrome	36 / i.42	60 / two.1	8.5	No
ASI178MC	Colour	62 / 2.4	120 / 4.two	12.5	Yeah
ASI178MC-Absurd*	Color	78 / 3.ane	410 / 14.5	17.5	No
ASI178MM	Monochrome	62 / two.4	120 / iv.2	12.5	Yep
ASI178MM-COOL*	Monochrome	78 / iii.one	410 / fourteen.v	17.5	No
ASI183MC	Colour	62 / 2.4	120 / iv.2	17.5**	Yes
ASI183MC-PRO	Colour	78 / 3.ane	410 / xiv.5	17.v**	No
ASI183MM	Color	62 / 2.4	120 / 4.2	17.5**	Aye
ASI183MM-PRO	Color	78 / 3.one	410 / xiv.5	17.5**	No
ASI183GT	Monochrome	110mm / 4.3 Square	800 / 28.2	26.5	No
ASI185MC*	Color	62 / ii.4	120 / four.2	12.v	Yes
ASI185MC-Cool*	Color	78 / 3.i	410 / fourteen.5	17.5	No
ASI224MC	Color	62 / 2.iv	120 / iv.2	12.5	Yep
ASI224MC-COOL*	Color	78 / 3.one	410 / 14.v	17.5	No
ASI290MC	Color	62 / 2.4	120 / four.2	12.five	Yes
ASI290MC-COOL*	Color	78 / 3.1	410 / 14.5	17.5	No
ASI290MM	Monochrome	62 / two.4	120 / 4.2	12.five	Yes
ASI290MM-COOL*	Monochrome	78 / iii.1	410 / 14.5	17.5	No
ASI290MM-MINI	Color	78 / 3.1	410 / xiv.5	8.5	No
ASI294MC	Color	62 / 2.4	120 / 4.2	17.5**	Yep
ASI294MC-PRO	Colour	78 / 3.1	410 / 14.five	17.5**	No
ASI294MM-PRO	Monochrome	78 / iii.1	410 / 14.5	17.five**	No
ASI385MC	Colour	62 / 2.4	120 / iv.2	12.v	Yeah
ASI385MC-Cool*	Color	78 / 3.1	410 / 14.8	17.5**	No
ASI462MC	Color	62 / 2.iv	120 / iv.2	12.5	Aye
ASI482MC	Colour	62 / ii.4	133 / iv.7	17.5**	Yes
ASI485MC	Colour	62 / ii.4	133 / 4.vii	17.5**	Yeah
ASI533MC-PRO	Color	78 / iii.1	470 / xvi.half dozen	17.five**	No
ASI1600MC	Color	62 / 2.4	140 / 4.9	17.five**	Yes
ASI1600MC-Absurd*	Color	78 / iii.1	410 / xiv.five	17.5**	No
ASI1600MC-PRO	Colour	78 / three.i	410 / 14.5	17.five**	No
ASI1600MM	Monochrome	62 / two.4	140 / four.9	17.5**	Aye
ASI1600MM-COOL*	Monochrome	78 / 3.i	410 / 14.5	17.5**	No
ASI1600MM-PRO	Monochrome	62 / ii.4	140 / 4.9	17.5**	Yeah
ASI1600MM-COOL*	Monochrome	78 / 3.1	410 / 14.5	17.5**	No
ASI1600GT	Monochrome	110mm / 4.3 Square	800 / 28.2	26.v	No
ASI2400MC-PRO	Color	90/3.5	700/24.seven	17.5	No
ASI2600MC-PRO	Color	90/3.5	700/24.7	17.v	No
ASI6200MM-PRO	Monochrome	90/iii.5	700/24.7	17.5	No
ASI6200MC-PRO	Color	90/3.5	700/24.7	17.5	No

NOTES: Cameras marked (*) have been discontinued by ZWO; Backfocus marked (**) includes two" nosepiece. Without the nosepiece, the backfocus altitude is half-dozen.5mm

3.2 Port Configurations and Cables

Every ZWO camera comes with a series of ports and cables for power and communication, merely the port configuration for the cooled and uncooled cameras are slightly unlike.

Uncooled photographic camera ports include:

• A USB port for data communications and powering the camera. The port can be configured for both USB2.0 and USB3.0 communications (except for the ASI120MM/MC cameras which only accept USB2.0 capability). A two meter USB3.0 cable is included with the camera
• An autoguiding port with ST4 connector to permit the camera to exist used every bit an autoguider. ZWO includes an autoguiding cable.

Figure 3a - The ZWO ASI1600MM monochrome astronomy camera. In this uncooled unit, the bluish USB port is on the lower left and the ST4 autoguiding port is on the lower right. The top of the photographic camera has female M42x0.75 threads for a 1.25" nosepiece adapter. Image courtesy of ZWO.

Cooled and Pro ZWO cameras have the following ports:

• A USB3.0 port for communications and powering the camera. A two meter USB3.0 cablevision is included.
• A USB2.0 hub (ii ports) to connect an electronic filter wheel (EFW) and a guiding camera to the ZWO camera where, through the communications port, these devices tin can be controlled with a computer. 2 short USB cables are included to be used with these ports.
• A ii.1mm center-positive connector for an external DC power supply for the libation. The ability supply for the photographic camera is not included with the camera. ZWO recommends a 12V 3A-5A DC ability supply for the cooler. Some (but non all) cooled ZWO camera can also be powerered with outputs on the ZWO ASIAIR-PRO controller.

(Annotation: Some older product model ZWO cooled cameras include an ST4 autoguider port instead of the USB2.0 hub).

Figure 3b - The ZWO ASI1600MM-COOL monochrome astronomy photographic camera. In this cooled unit, the blue USB port is at the upper right. To the left of the bluish USB3.0 port is a USB2.0 hub used to connect a autoguiding photographic camera and electronic filter wheel. Image courtesy of ZWO.

The ZWO Mini cameras have an ST4 port for autoguiding and USB2.0 ports with a Type C interface connection for power and control.

Figure 3c - The ZWO ASI174-Mini camera is an uncooled monochrome camera for autoguiding and planetary imaging.

3.three Sensor Size and Field of View

The physical size of the sensor on an astronomy camera governs the field of view of the camera, that is, how much of the heaven yous tin can fit in an paradigm with a given photographic camera and telescope. The field of view does not depend on the size of the pixels or the number of megapixels in the sensor. It but depends on the size of the sensor and the focal length of the telescope, along with whatsoever Barlow lenses or focal reducers used in the optical path.

If you know the size of the sensor, y'all can summate the field of view of a photographic camera using this formula:

Field of View (in arc-minutes) = 3436 ten D 50

Hither, D is the dimension in millimeters of the sensor, either the length or width of the sensor, for example, or the dimension of the sensor's diagonal. The quantity L is the effective focal length of the telescope organisation in millimeters. (Note: There are threescore arc-minutes in a degree and sixty arc-seconds in an arc-minute).

When considering a ZWO astronomy camera, it is of import to match the size of the diagonal and the focal length of your telescope to the size of the blazon of object you lot wish to paradigm. Planets are quite small. Jupiter grows to a size of 40-l arc-seconds at opposition. Galaxies, smaller star clusters and nebulae range in size from 3-4 arc-minutes to 20-30 arc-minutes or more than. And the sprawling North America Nebula is nearly 180 arc-minutes at its longest dimension. Table three beneath gives approximate sizes of some common celestial objects.

Table 3: Credible Size of Some Common Celestial Objects

Object Name	Gauge Credible Size
Mars	20 arc-seconds (at opposition)
Jupiter	40 arc-seconds (at opposition)
Ring Nebula (M57)	one.4x1.0 arc-minutes
Dumbbell Nebula (M27)	viii.0x6.0 arc-minutes
Hercules Cluster (M13)	15 arc-minutes in diameter
Wild Duck Cluster (M11)	14.0x14.0 arc-minutes
Moon/Sun	xxx arc-minutes in diameter
Orion Nebula (M42)	80x60 arc-minutes
Andromeda Galaxy (M31)	190x60 arc-minutes

Given the broad range of the size of astronomical objects, no single camera and telescope can frame all objects in an optimum way. But if you lot wish to image planets, you need a telescope organisation with long focal length and a photographic camera with a pocket-size sensor size and then that the sensor is not underfilled. If you are interested in the Moon and Sun, y'all want a telescope with intermediate focal length and a slightly larger sensor to that yous tin get full-disk images. And if you lot are afterwards large deep-heaven objects, you want a sensor of intermediate to big size and a telescope with a relatively fast focal ratio to accomplish bright images of extended objects.

Example ane:
The diagonal size of the sensor in the ZWO ASI224MC photographic camera is half dozen.09mm. If you accept a 127mm f/7 refractor and use it with a 2x Barlow lens, the effective focal length of the organisation is 127x7x2=1778mm. So this ASI224MC photographic camera and the telescope and Barlow will outcome in an paradigm with a diagonal size of 3436x6.09/1778=11.8 arc-minutes.

This field is about ane/iii the diameter of the full Moon or the deejay of the Sun and about 17x the credible bore of Jupiter at opposition. Then the entire Moon or Sun will not fit into the frame of this organisation, while Jupiter would be reasonably well framed, and could even do good from an optical system with more than focal length to requite a larger image. The image size tin be adjusted with this telescope to some extent by using unlike Barlow lenses or focal reducers.

Example 2:
The ASI178MC camera has a sensor with a diagonal size of eight.92mm. When used with a minor 80mm f/6 refractor, which has a focal length of 480mm, the camera has a field of view of 3436x8.92/480=63.9 arc-minutes, or a footling more than one degree.  A one degree field of view easily fits the total-disk prototype of the Moon and Sunday, and information technology nicely frames moderately-large deep-sky objects like the globular cluster Messier xiii.

With the aforementioned telescope, the ASI2600MC-Pro camera, which has a full-frame sensor with a large 43mm diagonal, the field of view along the diagonal is 308 arc-minutes or more than than five degrees! That is big enough to frame even larger angelic objects similar the Andromeda Galaxy.

3.4 Pixel Size and Resolution

In consumer cameras for everyday utilize, 'resolution' usually refers to the total number of pixels in a sensor. And so a 10 megapixel camera has 10 million pixels on its sensor, for example. Merely this tells us nothing most the size of the sensor or the size of the individual pixels. When it comes to astronomical imaging, the size of the individual pixels is important. Larger pixels tin capture more light with less noise, but they imply a lower resolution across an image of a planet or other object projected on your sensor by your telescope.

Figure 4 - A schematic configuration of a camera sensor showing the dimensions of the sensor and the pixels. Paradigm credit: VS Technology

The issue of pixel size for a particular telescope is governed by the epitome scale, which is the angle subtended by each camera pixel with a given telescope organization. It is usually expressed in arc-seconds per pixel, and information technology'due south calculated with this simple formula:

Epitome calibration (arc-seconds/pixel) = 206 ten southward L

where s is the pixel size in microns and L is the focal length in millimeters.

For imaging planets and small deep-sky objects, where the overall image size is small to begin with, you want to have modest pixels to get high resolution across the planet's disk. Experienced planetary imagers recommend a telescope-camera combination that gives an paradigm scale of close to 0.25 arc-seconds/pixel in skilful sky conditions where the air is steady. In the steadiest air when seeing is excellent, an image scale of 0.i arc-seconds/pixel tin work well.

For full-disk lunar and solar imaging, and for basic deep-sky imaging, since the epitome is larger and since larger sensors are used compared to planetary imaging, the pixels tin can be larger without sacrificing resolution. When imaging larger objects, larger pixel sizes on larger sensors give better signal-to-noise ratio and larger fields of view. An image calibration of ane to 2 arc-seconds per pixel works well for lunar, solar, and bones deep-sky imaging in good sky conditions.

The ZWO ASI120, ASI224, ASI290-serial, and ASI462MC cameras have both small sensors and small pixel size, so they work well for imaging planets and small deep-sky objects. The ZWO ASI174, ASI178, and ASI385-series cameras have larger sensors and larger pixels, and work well for imaging the Moon and Sun and slightly larger deep-sky objects, depending on the focal length of your telescope, and they work reasonably well with planets.

Instance 3:
The ASI224MC camera has a sensor with vi.09mm diagonal and 3.75 micron pixels. Let'southward summate the paradigm calibration with an eight" (200mm) discontinuity f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 2x Barlow lens.

The telescope and Barlow have an effective focal length of 200x10x2 = 4000mm. The epitome scale of this system is 206x3.75/4000=0.19 arc-seconds per pixel. When imaging Jupiter at opposition, for example, when its apparent size might be 40 arc-seconds, the paradigm of the planet would span 210 pixels on the camera'due south sensor, which has a dimension of 1304x976 pixels.

For dedicated deep-sky cameras with large sensors like the ASI071MC-Pro, ASI094MC-Pro, and ASI128MC-Pro, the pixels are large so they tin can collect light from extended faint objects like nebulae and galaxies quickly while minimizing noise. The pixel sizes in these cameras are four.88 microns, iv.88 microns, and 5.97 microns, respectively.

Table 4 below summarizes key sensor specifications for all ZWO cameras.

Table 4: ZWO Astronomy Cameras - Sensor Specifications

ZWO Photographic camera Model	Color / Monochrome	Sensor	Sensor Diagonal Size (mm)	Sensor Dimensions (mm)	Sensor Resolution (MB)	Sensor Dimensions (pixels)	Pixel Size (microns)
ASI034MC*	Color	ONS ASX340CS	5.0	4.1x2.ix	0.3	728x512	five.sixty
ASI071MC-Cool*	Colour	Sony IMX071	28.4	23.6x15.vii	16.2	4928x3264	4.fourscore
ASI071MC-PRO	Color	Sony IMX071	28.3	23.6x15.6	16.0	4944x3284	4.78
ASI094MC-PRO*	Color	Sony IMX094	43.iii	36.0x24.0	36.0	736x4928	four.88
ASI120MC*	Color	ONS AR0130CS	half dozen.09	4.8x3.half dozen	1.2	1280x960	three.75
ASI120MM*	Monochrome	ONS MT9M034	half-dozen.09	4.8x3.half-dozen	1.two	1280x960	3.75
ASI120MC-S	Color	ONS AR0130CS	vi.09	4.8x3.6	ane.2	1280x960	3.75
ASI120MM-S	Monochrome	ONS MT9M034	6.09	4.8x3.half-dozen	1.2	1280x960	3.75
ASI120MM-MINI	Monochrome	ONS AR0130CS	6.09	four.8x3.half-dozen	ane.2	1280x960	three.75
ASI128MC-PRO*	Colour	Sony IMX128	43.3	36.0x24.0	24.0	6032x4032	5.97
ASI174MC*	Color	Sony IMX174	13.4	11.3x7.1	2.3	1936x1216	5.86
ASI174MC-COOL*	Color	Sony IMX174	13.4	11.3x7.1	2.3	1936x1216	5.86
ASI174MM	Monochrome	Sony IMX174	13.4	11.3x7.1	2.3	1936x1216	v.86
ASI174MM-Absurd*	Monochrome	Sony IMX174	13.iv	eleven.3x7.1	2.3	1936x1216	v.86
ASI174MM-MINI	Color	Sony IMX174	13.four	11.3x7.1	2.iii	1936x1216	five.86
ASI178MC	Color	Sony IMX178	8.92	7.4 x 5.0	6.iv	3096x2080	two.xl
ASI178MC-COOL*	Color	Sony IMX178	8.92	seven.iv 10 5.0	six.4	3096x2080	2.40
ASI178MM	Monochrome	Sony IMX178	viii.92	7.4 x 5.0	6.four	3096x2080	2.twoscore
ASI178MM-COOL*	Monochrome	Sony IMX178	viii.92	vii.4 x 5.0	6.4	3096x2080	2.40
ASI183MC	Colour	Sony IMX183	15.nine	13.2x8.8	20.1	5496x3672	2.four
ASI183MC-PRO	Color	Sony IMX183	15.nine	13.2x8.eight	20.i	5496x3672	2.4
ASI183MM	Monochrome	Sony IMX183	15.9	13.2x8.8	20.1	5496x3672	2.4
ASI183MM-PRO	Monochrome	Sony IMX183	15.nine	xiii.2x8.8	twenty.1	5496x3672	2.iv
ASI183GT	Monochrome	Sony IMX183	15.9	13.2x8.8	20.1	5496x3672	2.4
ASI185MC*	Color	Sony IMX185	8.58	7.3x4.6	2.3	1944x1224	iii.75
ASI185MC-Cool*	Color	Sony IMX185	eight.58	7.3x4.six	2.three	1944x1224	three.75
ASI224MC	Color	Sony IMX224	6.09	4.8x3.6	1.2	1304x976	3.75
ASI224MC-COOL*	Color	Sony IMX224	half dozen.09	iv.8x3.six	1.2	1304x976	three.75
ASI290MC*	Colour	Sony IMX290	6.46	5.6x3.two	2.1	1936x1096	2.90
ASI290MC-Cool*	Color	Sony IMX290	half-dozen.v	5.6x3.two	two.one	1936x1096	two.90
ASI290MM	Monochrome	Sony IMX290	6.46	v.6x3.two	two.one	1936x1096	2.ninety
ASI290MM-Absurd*	Monochrome	Sony IMX290	six.5	5.6x3.2	ii.one	1936x1096	2.90
ASI290MC-MINI	Monochrome	Sony IMX290	six.46	5.6x3.2	two.ane	1936x1096	2.90
ASI294MC	Color	Sony IMX294	23.2	19.1x13.0	xi.vii	4144x2822	4.63
ASI294MC-PRO	Color	Sony IMX294	23.2	19.1x13.0	xi.7	4144x2822	4.63
ASI294MM-PRO	Monochrome	Sony IMX294	23.ii	19.1x13.0	eleven.7	4144x2822	4.63
ASI385MC	Colour	Sony IMX385	8.4	seven.3x4.i	ii.1	1936x1096	iii.75
ASI385MC-Cool*	Colour	Sony IMX385	8.35	7.3x4.1	2.i	1936x1096	3.75
ASI462MC	Colour	Sony IMX462	6.46	v.6x3.2	two.one	1936x1096	two.90
ASI482MC	Color	Sony IMX482	12.86	11.13x6.26	2.ane	1920x1080	5.8
ASI485MC	Color	Sony IMX485	12.86	11.13x6.26	8.3	1920x1080	2.9
ASI533MC-PRO	Color	Sony IMX533	16.0	11.3x11.3	9.0	3008x3008	three.76
ASI1600MC	Color	4/iii" CMOS	21.9	17.7x13.three	16.0	4656x3520	3.eighty
ASI1600MC-COOL*	Colour	iv/3" CMOS	21.nine	17.7x13.three	16.0	4656x3520	iii.80
ASI1600MMC-PRO	Colour	four/3" CMOS	21.9	17.7x13.3	sixteen.0	4656x3520	3.fourscore
ASI1600MM	Monochrome	4/3" CMOS	21.ix	17.7x13.three	xvi.0	4656x3520	3.80
ASI1600MM-COOL*	Monochrome	iv/3" CMOS	21.ix	17.7x13.3	sixteen.0	4656x3520	3.80
ASI1600MM-PRO	Color	iv/3 CMOS	21.9	17.7x13.three	16.0	4656x3520	3.80
ASI1600GT	Monochrome	4/3 CMOS	21.9	17.7x13.3	xvi.0	4656x3520	3.80
ASI2400MC-PRO	Colour	Sony IMX410	43.3	36.0x24.0	24.0	6072x4042	five.94
ASI2600MC-PRO	Color	IMX571	28.0	23.5x15.seven	26.0	6248x4176	iii.76
ASI6200MM-PRO	Monochrome	IMX455	43.iii	36.0x24.0	62.0	9576x6388	three.76
ASI6200MM-PRO	Color	IMX455	43.iii	36.0x24.0	62.0	9576x6388	3.76

iii.5 Pixel Number and Binning

Sensor size and pixel size, as explained above, are of import parameters when choosing an astronomy camera. The number of pixels in an astronomy photographic camera is, of course, a directly result of these 2 specifications. But does the number of pixels matter? Large pixel counts make it easier to obtain pleasing big images in print or on a computer screen without the obvious effect of pixelation. And large pixel counts also make information technology easier to ingather images while retaining reasonably high resolution. So when imaging extended objects like galaxies and nebulae, a larger pixel count is oftentimes meliorate. The ZWO ASI1600 and ASI294 cameras, for instance, which are optimized for deep-sky imaging, accept sensors with 16 megapixels. The ASI2400MC-Pro and ASI6200MC-Pro, which use the same full-frame sensors found in loftier-end DSLR cameras, take 24 megapixels and 62 megapixels, respectively.

There is one disadvantage to large pixel counts, however. It takes the camera longer to download data from all those pixels, and so a larger number of pixels tends to make overall download times longer. This can be a disadvantage when imaging planets, specially Jupiter and Saturn, because they accept rapid rotation rates. That ways an ideal camera for planetary imaging needs to have fast download speeds to attain proficient paradigm sharpness and counteract the effect of planetary rotation. Many cameras optimized for planetary imaging, such equally the ASI174, ASI224, and ASI120 cameras do not have sensors with more one or 2 megapixels.

Most ZWO astronomy cameras also enable 2x2 binning of pixels. This is the procedure, controlled in software, of combining iv pixels together to effectively make one larger pixel. The signal increases by a factor of iv, only the read racket also increases slightly, so the all-important betoken-to-noise ratio improves past less than a gene of four. Binning is accomplished at the expense of image resolution.

Binning is usually used, for example, to achieve an paradigm scale that is more realistic for the seeing conditions. For example, if your telescope and camera give an prototype calibration of 0.three arcsec/pixel, merely your seeing is only 1.5 arcseconds, then this will result in decreased sensitivity without improved resolution, and you need to nourish more advisedly to guiding during the image. Binning can help meliorate this situation. Binning is besides used in colour imaging with a monochrome camera and appropriate color filters (see section 3.6 below). Many imagers have the monochrome images without binning, and so capture the colour images binned. The binned pixels are four times more sensitive, then the time needed to capture color information is reduced past a cistron of four. In mail service processing, the color images are composite with the more detailed mono images.

iii.6 Color vs Monochrome

Should you lot choose a color camera, or a monochrome camera?

If you're but starting out, or you want to keep your astrophotography workflow simple, a color camera is a expert bet. A color astronomy camera uses the same sensor equally its monochrome counterpart, but information technology incorporates a color filter array, often a Bayer filter, permanently fixed over the sensor. The filter passes red, light-green, or blueish low-cal into each pixel on the sensor, and an algorithm in the camera interprets the intensity of light on each pixel and produces a full-color paradigm.

A color astronomy photographic camera lets you capture a full-color paradigm of planets or deep-sky object in a single shot without much additional processing and without the need for additional filters. Using standard astro-imaging software, color images can be stacked, sharpened, and enhanced every bit needed. However, you are restricted to the colors provided by the color array filter and processing techniques. There is no easy way to add data from colors exterior the visible spectrum- IR information, for example - which may heighten the image. And there tin can exist some loss of image sharpness and resolution when working with images from color astronomy cameras.

That's why most serious astrophotographers use monochrome cameras for their best work. A monochrome photographic camera produces a unmarried monochrome paradigm of a planet or DSO. But more commonly, a monochrome camera is used to make a series of images through color or narrowband filters. For planets, dissever images are captured through a serial of color filters then combined using standard prototype-processing techniques to produce full-color images with far more detail than is accessible with a unmarried color image. For deep-sky objects, particularly nebulae, multiple images are collected through color and narrowband filters such as H-alpha or OIII ("oh-3") and so combined into a single epitome. Over again, far more details are accessible in such objects with this arroyo using multiple images through filters and a monochrome camera.

The disadvantage of imaging with monochrome cameras? In some cases, it tin take more than fourth dimension to get together multiple images through filters, and it takes more time to combine the images in postal service processing.You demand to buy the filters, of grade, and also a manual or automatic filter wheel to concord and bandy the filters into the optical path. And when imaging planets, to achieve the sharpest images, you must work rapidly to capture each prototype before a planet'south rotation smears the prototype.

While monochrome has been the choice of serious imagers, even practiced astrophotographers appreciate the benefits and ease of using colour cameras, peculiarly when shooting the deep heaven. The latest 'Pro' level ZWO cameras are built around larger color sensors that allow experienced imagers to capture '1-shot' color images that are of impressive quality. These are the same sensors used on high-end DSLR cameras. Because of the large sensors, these cameras, which include the ASI071MC-Pro, ASI094MC-Pro, and ASI128MC-Pro, tend to be quite expensive.

The lesser line? If you value convenience and speed, if you're simply interested in coincidental imaging, or if you are merely starting out in astrophotography, then a color ZWO camera is the all-time bet for planetary, lunar/solar, and deep-sky imaging. If y'all want to get the sharpest possible images and yous don't listen investing in additional equipment like filters and a filter wheel, also equally extra complexity in acquiring and processing images, and then consider a monochrome camera. And if you lot have deep pockets and value the ease of 'ane-shot' color imaging, a high-end color 'Pro' camera is an first-class choice.

Figure v - Monochrome image of IC 405 captured with a 60mm f/4.iii refractor and ZWO ASI174MM monochrome camera and narrow-band H-alpha filter. Image courtesy ZWO and Matej Mihelcic.

3.7 Noise and Cooling

Racket is a key specification in astronomy cameras, and there are many types of racket that arise in digital cameras. Some, like photon dissonance and quantization noise, are inherent to the detection process in the semiconductor electronics and the conversion of the betoken to a digital format. Other types of noise are a outcome of the design of the sensor or of the operation of the sensor in various environmental weather.

Read noise, for instance, is generated by electronics on the sensor and in the camera as the electric accuse produced by low-cal in the pixels is converted to a signal. Read noise is inherent in the pattern of the CMOS sensor and the amplifier and associated electronics that create the digital output of the photographic camera. Low read dissonance is essential to accurately detecting pocket-sized signals from faint objects or a dark background. Read noise tends to dominate the point-to-noise ratio of an image for short exposures of less than a second, approximately. It's expressed in the number of unwanted electrons e^- produced. For case, the ZWO ASI1600MM camera has a read racket of 1.2e^- when the camera's electronics is ready to xxx dB gain. This is a very low read noise and it'due south ideal for getting adept dissimilarity images of deep-heaven objects confronting a dark sky.

Figure 6 - Three monochrome images taken of Mars with a ZWO ASI290MM photographic camera combined into a single colour image. Image courtesy of ZWO and Milika and Nicholas.

Then there is thermal noise. This is produced by processes in the semiconductor that produce unwanted electrons that are not acquired by a point. The amount of dissonance goes upward with temperature, so this noise tin can be reduced, or at least held to a tolerable level, by decision-making the temperature of the sensor with a thermoelectric libation (TEC).

Cooled and Pro ZWO cameras include regulated TEC cooling. This is a big advantage because you can set the target temperature of the camera and take dark frames that include the thermal racket. If the temperature is regulated, the noise in the dark frame matches the light frame during imaging, and you can more than easily calibrate your image. If the temperature is irresolute, equally information technology might in an uncooled photographic camera, while you have your calibration frames and during your image capture, you cannot calibrate your epitome very well.

Cooling is only important for exposures longer than nearly 500 ms. That ways it is not critical, unremarkably, when imaging the planets, Moon, or Sun. Simply for longer exposures of deep-heaven objects, active thermal control is a big advantage when trying to accomplish the best prototype quality.

The noise sources mentioned to a higher place can impact whatsoever pixel in the sensor equally. But stock-still blueprint noise, as its name implies, is a upshot of some pixels giving a betoken of college intensity above the general background noise. This is caused past a variation in some of the millions of pixels in the sensor. "Hot pixels", pixels that prove a signal even in the absenteeism of a real indicate, are an example of this type of noise. The advanced CMOS sensors used in ZWO astronomy cameras are designed to keep stock-still-design noise to a minimum.

Figure seven - M42 imaged with a ZWO ASI224MC-Cool with and a 60mm f/4.3 refractor. Image courtesy ZWO and Matej Mihelcic.

3.8 Other Specifications to Consider - Shutter Speeds, Data Resolution, and Download Rates

Similar any digital camera, ZWO astronomy cameras take a range of user-selectable shutter speeds. Nigh ZWO cameras take shutter speeds ranging from 32 microseconds to k seconds. While the extremes of this range of shutter speeds are enabled by the design of the camera's electronics, they may not be required for virtually imaging applications. In general, longer exposures of many seconds are used for faint deep-sky objects while shorter speeds on the club of milliseconds to hundreds of milliseconds are used for the planets, Moon, Sun (through a telescope with a safe solar filter).

As ZWO cameras use CMOS sensors, near are equipped with rolling shutters that scan the image sequentially, from one side of the sensor (usually the peak) to the other, line by line. Only the ASI174-serial cameras use a global shutter which scans the unabridged area of the image simultaneously.

The download rate of an astronomy camera defines how quickly an paradigm frame can be downloaded from the camera to a computer. Fast download rates are essential when imaging objects like planets that may rotate quickly during image capture. The download charge per unit is governed by the sensor and readout electronics, but for a given photographic camera and sensor, the more data in that location is to download, the longer information technology takes. Equally mentioned above, most cameras optimized for planetary apply just have sensor sizes of 1 or ii megapixels, and then the data can be downloaded fairly chop-chop. Larger sensors generate more data and have slower download rates.

ZWO's line of 'Pro' cameras include a large onboard 256MB DDR3 memory buffer. This enables quick and stable data transfer off the camera and has the effect of reducing 'amp glow' that degrades epitome quality around the edge of the sensor, particularly at high gain.

The data resolution also affects transfer rates. Digital cameras translate analog images from a telescope into numbers that tin be read by a computer. The larger number of $.25 in each digital number enable a larger range of tonality and shades in the grayscale which may make for meliorate images. A 12-fleck resolution has 2 $.25 more than levels of gray than 10-bit, but the larger number of $.25 means a longer transfer time and more data to store on your hard drive. ZWO cameras have user-selectable data resolution of 14 bits, 12 bits, or x bits then you can configure the camera for what's best for your situation.

All ZWO cameras also take a user selectable epitome resolution to enable y'all to trade off faster data transfer against epitome resolution. For example, the ASI224MC camera has a maximum information transfer rate of 64 frames per 2nd when prepare for the maximum resolution of 1304x976 at a information resolution of 12 $.25. But when the camera is software-configured to render an image resolution of 640x480, for example, the transfer charge per unit doubles to 127 frames per second at the same 12-bit data resolution.

Except for the ASI120MM/MC cameras, all ZWO cameras enable a USB 3.0 interface for fast download speeds. Just they can be software-configured to work at USB ii.0 speeds with computers with slower communications ports.

Table v below summarizes some boosted specifications discussed in a higher place.

Table v: ZWO Astronomy Cameras - Boosted Specifications

ZWO Photographic camera Model	Color / Monochrome	ADC Data Resolution (bits)	Max Download [email protected] Resolution (fps)	USB Data Interface	TEC Cooling
ASI034MC*	Colour	eight	95	2.0	No
ASI071MC-Absurd*	Color	14	x	iii.0	Yes
ASI071MC-PRO	Colour	14/x	10	3.0	Yes
ASI094MC-PRO*	Color	14/x	5	three.0	Yes
ASI120MC*	Color	12/10	35	2.0	No
ASI120MM*	Monochrome	12/ten	35	ii.0	No
ASI120MC-Southward	Color	12/10	60	3.0	No
ASI120MM-S	Monochrome	12/10	threescore	iii.0	No
ASI120MM-MINI	Monochrome	12	35	two.0	No
ASI128MC-PRO*	Color	14/ten	seven	3.0	Yeah
ASI174MC*	Color	12/10	164	3.0	No
ASI174MC-COOL*	Color	12/10	164	iii.0	Yes
ASI174MM	Monochrome	12/x	164	3.0	No
ASI174MM-COOL*	Monochrome	12/ten	164	3.0	Aye
ASI174MM-MINI	Monochrome	12	xviii.4	two.0	No
ASI178MC	Color	14/10	60	3.0	No
ASI178MC-COOL*	Colour	14/ten	sixty	3.0	Yep
ASI178MM	Monochrome	14/10	60	iii.0	No
ASI178MM-COOL*	Monochrome	fourteen/10	threescore	3.0	Yes
ASI183MC	Color	12/x	19	3.0	No
ASI183MC-PRO	Color	12/10	108	3.0	Yes
ASI183MM	Monochrome	12/10	19	3.0	No
ASI183MM-PRO	Monochrome	12/10	19	3.0	Yes
ASI183GT	Monochrome	12/10	19	3.0	Yes
ASI185MC*	Color	12/10	108	3.0	No
ASI185MC-Cool*	Colour	12/10	108	3.0	Aye
ASI224MC	Color	12/10	150	3.0	No
ASI224MC-COOL*	Color	12/10	150	3.0	Yep
ASI290MC*	Colour	12/ten	170	three.0	No
ASI290MC-COOL*	Color	12/10	170	three.0	Yes
ASI290MM	Monochrome	12/ten	170	iii.0	No
ASI290MM-COOL*	Monochrome	12/10	170	3.0	Aye
ASI290MM-MINI	Monochrome	12	20.4	2.0	No
ASI294MC	Colour	14/10	19	iii.0	No
ASI294MC-PRO	Color	14/x	xix	3.0	Yes
ASI294MM-PRO	Monochrome	xiv/x	19	three.0	Aye
ASI385MC	Color	12/ten	120	iii.0	No
ASI385MC-Cool*	Color	12/ten	120	3.0	Yes
ASI462MC	Colour	12/x	136	3.0	No
ASI482MC	Color	12/x	83	3.0	No
ASI485MC	Color	12/ten	39	3.0	No
ASI533MC-PRO	Color	fourteen	twenty	3.0	Yep
ASI1600MC	Color	12/10	23	3.0	No
ASI1600MC-COOL*	Color	12/x	23	3.0	Yes
ASI1600MC-PRO	Colour	12/ten	23	3.0	Yes
ASI1600MM	Monochrome	12/10	23	3.0	No
ASI1600MM-COOL*	Monochrome	12/10	23	iii.0	Yeah
ASI1600MM-PRO	Monochrome	12/10	23	3.0	Yes
ASI1600GT	Monochrome	12/10	23	3.0	Yes
ASI2400MC-PRO	Color	14	8	3.0	Yes
ASI2600MC-PRO	Color	sixteen	3.51	3.0	Yes
ASI6200MM-PRO	Monochrome	16	2.0	three.0	Yes
ASI6200MC-PRO	Colour	xvi	2.0	3.0	Yes

4. General Recommendations

So which ZWO camera is right for you? The general features and strengths of each camera are summarized in Table six below. In this table, each camera is given a somewhat subjective rating out of v stars for its relative performance for planetary, lunar/solar, deep-sky, and all-heaven imaging. This five-star rating is not intended to evaluate the camera in absolute terms; the rating suggests the performance of the camera for each awarding relative to other ZWO cameras for a item application.

Table vi: ZWO Astronomy Cameras - General Recommendations

ZWO Camera Model	Color / Monochrome	All-Sky Lens Included	Best Applications	Planetary	Solar/Lunar	Deep-Sky	All-Sky
ASI034MC*	Color	No	Planetary imaging	★★★	★★	★	★
ASI071MC-COOL*	Colour	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI071MC-PRO	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI094MC-PRO*	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI120MC*	Color	Yes	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI120MM*	Monochrome	Yep	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI120MC-S	Color	Aye	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI120MM-S	Monochrome	Yeah	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI120MM-MINI	Monochrome	No	Autoguiding; solar system	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI128MC-PRO*	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI174MC*	Colour	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI174MC-COOL*	Color	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★
ASI174MM	Monochrome	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★★
ASI174MM-Cool*	Monochrome	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★
ASI174MM-MINI	Monochrome	No	Autoguiding; solar system	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★
ASI178MC	Color	Yeah	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★★
ASI178MC-COOL*	Color	No	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI178MM	Monochrome	Yep	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★★
ASI178MM-Absurd*	Monochrome	No	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
ASI183MC	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
ASI183MC-PRO	Colour	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI183MM	Monochrome	No	Deep Heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI183MM-PRO	Monochrome	No	Deep Heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI183GT	Monochrome	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI185MC*	Color	Yes	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI185MC-Absurd*	Color	No	Planetary imaging;solar/lunar	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI224MC	Color	Yes	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI224MC-Cool*	Color	No	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI290MC*	Colour	Yep	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI290MC-Cool*	Colour	No	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI290MM	Monochrome	Aye	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI290MM-Absurd*	Monochrome	No	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI290MM-MINI	Monochrome	No	Autoguiding; solar organization	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★
ASI294MC	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
ASI294MC-PRO	Color	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI294MM-PRO	Monochrome	No	Deep Sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI385MC	Color	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★★★
ASI385MC-COOL*	Color	No	Solar and Lunar imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
ASI462MC	Color	Yes	Planetary imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI482MC	Colour	No	Solar, Lunar, Planetary imaging	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI485MC	Colour	No	Solar and lunar imaging	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
ASI533MC-PRO	Colour	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MC	Colour	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MC-COOL*	Color	No	Deep heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MC-PRO	Color	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MM	Monochrome	No	Deep heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MM-Cool*	Monochrome	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600MM-PRO	Monochrome	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI1600GT	Monochrome	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI2400MC-PRO	Colour	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI2600MC-PRO	Color	No	Deep heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI6200MM-PRO	Monochrome	No	Deep sky	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★
ASI6200MC-PRO	Color	No	Deep heaven	★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★

4.ane Starter Cameras

If y'all are simply starting out in astrophotography, and if you are on a budget, then the ASI120 series of cameras is a great place to start. These cameras can practise planetary, lunar/solar, and some deep-sky imaging at a good entry-level price. The ASI120-S serial have a faster USB 3.0 interface than the standard ASI120s.

If y'all have slightly deeper pockets, you tin go right into the ASI385MC with the faster download rate and state-of-the-art sensor. It's just as easy to use as the ASI120 cameras and is a adept general-purpose small-scale-sensor photographic camera.

4.2 Solar Organization Imaging Cameras

In 2020, ZWO introduced the ASI462MC color camera. With its depression read noise, high sensitivity, and ability to capture light in the about infrared, this camera is the best color planetary imaging camera. It has somewhat enhanced performance over the ASI290MC, which is likewise a very good planetary camera. The ASI290MM is the best mono planetary imaging photographic camera.

The ASI224MC is besides an excellent color planetary imaging photographic camera. It has a similar sensor size to the ASI120MC-South, merely the sensor allows much faster download rates, which is very important in capturing planetary images. It has a lower resolution compared to the ASI290-serial and the ASI462MC.

For lunar and solar imaging, too as planetary imaging at longer focal lengths, you can consider higher resolution cameras like the ASI178-series, ASI174-serial, and ASI385-series cameras. These cameras besides work well for small to medium sized deep-heaven objects.

Introduced in belatedly 2021, the ASI482MC and ASI485MC cameras besides offer a good option for solar organization imagers. Both cameras a xi.1mm x half-dozen.3mm sensor, which is larger than the ASI290-serial, ASI385MC, or ASI462MC cameras. This gives them a larger field of view with a given telescope, then they tin also be used for lunar and solar imaging like the ASI178-series and ASI174MM-series cameras. The ASI482MC has larger 5.8 micron pixels and a resolution of ii.1 megapixels, while the ASI485MC has 2.ix micron pixels and a 8.3 megapixel resolution.

4.iii Deep-Sky Imaging Cameras

The all-time ZWO cameras for deep-sky imaging on a budget are the uncooled ASI294MC and the cooled ASI294MC-Pro cameras. These 11.7 megapixel cameras have large pixels to capture faint item with lower dissonance. The cooled Pro version has TEC cooling to reduce thermal noise and meliorate image quality. These cameras are also available in monochrome.

The ASI1600MM-series and ASI1600MC-series are likewise an excellent option for deep-sky imaging, specially the 'Pro' versions which TEC cooling. These cameras have 16 megapixel resolution but smaller pixels than the ASI294MC series. With slightly smaller i"-class sensors that have higher breakthrough efficiency, the ASI183-series cameras are likewise a skillful option for deep-heaven imaging with shorter focal-length telescopes. They are also less expensive than the ASI1600-serial.

Both the ASI1600-serial and ASI183-series are also available in a monochrome format with integrated 5-position filter wheels to make it easier to capture colour and narrowband images with 1.25" and 31mm astronomy filters. Both these cameras- the ASI1600GT and ASI183GT- are cooled camera systems.

Moving up in price and prototype quality, you might also consider the ASI071MC-Pro. This camera has a larger APS-C sensor than the ASI294-series or ASI1600-series, so it captures a wider field and yet yet has large 4.8 micron pixels. The download times are a little slower, notwithstanding. Introduced in 2019, the ASI2600MC-Pro colour camera with a 26 megapixel sensor and sixteen-scrap ADC is a newer and more than powerful APS-C format camera for deep-sky imaging.

In 2019, ZWO also introduced the ASI533MC-Pro camera with a nine megapixel foursquare 3008 x 3008 sensor. This unusual sensor format is useful for framing deep-sky objects such as globular clusters and nebulae that are more or less symmetric and which may not be framed every bit well past a rectangular sensor.

At the high-end of the ZWO product line for deep-sky imaging are the (at present discontinued) ASI094MC-Pro and ASI128MC-Pro cameras. These are both one-shot colour astronomy cameras with full-frame CMOS sensors. The sometime has a 36 megapixel resolution, while the latter has a 24 megapixel resolution. The ASI128MC-Pro has larger pixels for ultimate sensitivity and depression noise at the expense of overall sensor resolution.

The ASI094MC-Pro and ASI128MC-Pro cameras were replaced in 2019-2020 by the ASI6200MC-Pro (color) and ASI6200MM-Pro (monochrome) total-frame cameras. Both use 62 megapixel fullframe (36mm 10 24mm) sensors and 16-fleck ADC, and are the best cameras ZWO offers for deep-sky imaging. In 2020, ZWO introduced another full-frame photographic camera, the ASI2400MC-PRO. It also uses a 36mm Ten 24mm sensor with large 5.ix micron pixels and has a resolution of 24 MB (6072 x 4042). The larger pixels enable improve photon collection and noise functioning, and are more forgiving of guiding errors, than the small-pixel ASI6200-series full-frame cameras. But they have lower overall resolution.

The ASI071MC-Pro, the discontinued ASI094MC-Pro and ASI128MC-Pro, the ASI2600MC-Pro, and ASI533MC-Pro cameras can also be outfitted with external camera lens (using appropriate adapters), so they can be used with a Nikon or Canon DSLR to capture wide-field images of the sky but with advantage of cooled sensors and much lower thermal noise. All three cameras also have built-in dew heaters on the protective windows in front end of the sensors to eliminate dew and frost formation.

4.iv Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA)

Most astrophotographers are interested in capturing data with their cameras and doing meaning postal service-processing after their observing session to achieve a final paradigm. So the time from initial exposure to final image can exist hours or days. Only some observers simply desire the extra heave in sensitivity of an astronomy camera compared to the human eye to encounter celestial objects correct abroad, in more or less existent time, on their computer screens or on a TV monitor in the field. The epitome need non be optimized and highly candy, just information technology needs to be pleasing enough to enjoy and to show others, for instance, at an outreach issue, and it needs to be updated continuously. This sort astrophotography is often called electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA) because the camera sensor is used to see more than item than the human heart, and the image is delivered by the camera in more or less real fourth dimension.

(Note: Learn more nigh choosing cameras and other equipment for EAA with this guide from Agena AstroProducts).

The most common type of camera for EAA has been astronomy video cameras such as the Revolution Imager or one of the many versions of a Mallincam. These devices utilise CCD sensors and processing electronics that output an analog video betoken to a Television set or monitor or, with analog-to-digital conversion electronics, to a reckoner. The high sensitivity of these cameras results from their CCD sensor design and large pixels that collect a lot of lite. But the high sensitivity comes at the expense of an prototype with much lower resolution. The Revolution Imager, for example, has a pixel resolution of 976x582; the Mallincam Extreme has a resolution of just 640x480.

As CMOS sensors improve in sensitivity, it is becoming possible to employ CMOS-based astronomy cameras for EAA. Real-time lunar and solar EAA tin can be done with many of the minor-sensor ZWO cameras listed in this guide. The ASI224-series, ASI290-series, and ASI385-serial are particularly adept cameras for EAA because of their rapid data transfer rates and loftier sensitivity. These cameras have resolutions of 1304x976 (ASI224) and 1936x1096 (ASI290 and ASI385).  However, they only accept 6mm or 8mm diagonals, so they take limited fields of view for observing extended celestial objects.

To capture larger objects, the ASI183-series is a better pick for EAA. The loftier quantum efficiency of the sensor and the reasonably fast information transfer rate (xix fps at full 5496x3672 resolution, and much faster at lower resolutions) make this a good multi-purpose photographic camera for both astrophotography and EAA. The Pro versions of these cameras with two-stage TEC cooling are platonic for depression-noise EAA of fainter deep-sky objects, specially in warm ambience weather condition. The square-sensor ASI533MC-Pro camera with a resolution of 3008x3008 and 3.76-micron pixels likewise works well for EAA of deep-sky objects, especially because it has relatively footling visible amp glow.

And moving 1 stride up in sensor size, the ASI294-series is also an fantabulous selection for EAA. The larger micro-4/three sensor with 4144x2822 resolution (11.seven megapixels) and 4.63-micron pixel size can capture data at 16fps at full resolution. The larger pixels also collect more light and offer the hope of better point-to-racket ratio. Again, the cooled version of the camera will keep thermal noise low. The larger sensor size works well to frame extended deep-sky objects similar nebulae and large galaxies.

4.5 Autoguiding Cameras

Long-exposure imaging often requires a separte camera connected to a guide scope or an off-centrality guider. A guide camera need not exist as sophisticated or expensive every bit your chief imaging photographic camera. But ideally, the guide photographic camera should take the post-obit characteristics:

• High sensitivity and depression noise to allow for short exposures and smaller-aperture and lighter guide scopes
• A monochrome sensor because, while color sensors will work, but there's no advantage to using them and they will upshot in a loss of resolution and sensitivity because of the Bayer matrix in front of the sensor
• Compact size and lightweight to minimize load on the mountain and focuser of the guide telescopic.
• Fast download rates (at to the lowest degree USB2.0)
• A built-in ST-4 guiding port to connect the guide camera directly back to the equatorial mount for corrections (which are supplied through the camera from the computer and autoguiding software connected to the camera through the USB port). An ST-iv port is not required but tin can be convenient

Sensor size is also a consideration. Larger sensors give a wider field of view and more potential guide stars, but they are expensive. If the photographic camera has a relatively recently-made sensor, even a minor one with a diagonal of 6-7mm, information technology may likely pick up enough guide stars to exercise the job. It's rarely necessary to get an autoguiding camera with a considerably larger sensor.

If money is no object, almost any monochrome astronomy camera can serve equally an autoguiding photographic camera. But if you want to save money, you lot can utilize an older "obsolete" astronomy photographic camera. Or y'all can learn a newer but relatively basic monochrome astronomy camera that you lot can also use for applications such equally lunar or planetary imaging. Or you lot tin can get a camera designed especially for autoguiding.

In the past, many imagers have used the ASI120MM-series cameras every bit autoguiders. ZWO is now offer the ASI120MM-Mini camera for those who are looking for an affordable mononchrome autoguiding camera. This camera has a 4.8mm x 3.6mm sensor with small pixels 3.75 micron pixels. It is also more compact than other ASI120-series cameras and slides directly into a 1.25" focuser.

ZWO has also released the ASI174MM-Mini and ASI290MM-Mini cameras for autoguiding. These cameras have the aforementioned small size every bit the ASI120MM-Mini and slide into a 1.25" focuser. Both accept higher sensitivity than the ASI120MM-Mini so they can observe more than potential guide stars. The ASI290MM-Mini is less expensive and has a 5.6mm x 3.2mm sensor with 2.9 micron pixels. It'south well suited for employ with a small guide telescopic. The small pixel size of this photographic camera results in more precise guiding because the camera tin detect smaller deviations in guide star position during an exposure. The camera has, for example, about thirty% ameliorate guiding precision than the ZWO ASI120MM-series cameras.

The more than expensive ASI174MM-Mini uses a larger eleven.3mm 10 7.ane mm sensor with 5.86 micron pixles. With a sensor much larger than the ASI290MM-Mini or ASI120MM-Mini guide cameras, the ASI174MM-Mini offers a larger field of view that makes it ideal for utilize with an off-axis guider when imaging with longer focal length Schmidt-Cassegrain or Ritchey-Chretien telescopes.

All the ZWO monochrome 'Mini' cameras can also serve as expert monochrome planetary imaging cameras. They have USB2.0 interfaces.

v. Consolidated Specification and Recommendation Table

For your convenience, all of the ZWO camera specifications and recommendations listed above have been compiled into 1 principal table (Tabular array seven) beneath. Click on the table paradigm below to see a larger PDF version.

Table 7: ZWO Astronomy Cameras - Complete Specifications and Recommendations

Click on the tabular array image above to enlarge.

6. Accessories for ZWO Cameras

ZWO has a wide range of accessories available for their cameras including adapters, broad-angle lenses and lens adapters, equally well as filters and filter wheels. While ZWO astronomy cameras include everything you demand to become started in astrophotography with a telescope, several accessories are worthy of consideration depending on your application.

ASIAIR-Pro Controller: The ZWO ASIAIR-PRO is a small controller that provides wireless control of a ZWO camera and accessories likewise as a power hub for some cooled ZWO cameras and all filter wheels. Through an installed app on an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet, the ASIAIR-PRO provides WiFi control and connectivity making it unecessary to utilise a computer or laptop for astrophotography and EAA.

All-Heaven Lenses: Many ZWO cameras come with an all-sky lens to allow y'all capture broad angle images of the night heaven without a telescope. These small lenses requite a 150° view of the sky and then you can capture aurorae, meteors, and the wide band of the Milky Fashion. You can also remotely monitor sky weather from an observing location.

Catechism and Nikon Lens Adapters: ZWO also manufactures special T2 adapters with camera mounts so you tin can attach Catechism or Nikon camera lenses directly to a ZWO astronomy cameras. These adapters permit you to shoot very wide-bending images of the heavens.

Filters: ZWO has introduced its own line of colour and bandpass filters for astronomical imaging. These are offered in standard 1.25" and 2" filter sizes, too every bit in 31mm and 36mm unmounted versions for utilize in their filter wheels.

ZWO'south filter line-upward includes a standard LRGB filter set for use with monochrome cameras, a premium LRGB filter set for monochrome cameras, IR Cut filters, and 850nm IR pass filters that can be used to heighten colour and monochrome images. A very contempo addition includes the narrowband SHO (Sulfur-II, Hydrogen-Alpha and Oxygen-III) filters that can be used by advanced imagers to make spectacular deep sky images such equally the "Pillars of Cosmos" in the Hawkeye Nebula (M16).

Filter Wheels: Filter wheels sit down between the camera and the telescope to assist you capture color images of astronomical objects with monochrome cameras. ZWO offers a range of filter wheels for all applications and budgets. At the simplest and most economical end, they offer a manual filter bicycle that accepts v i.25" filters. They have also released very popular five, seven and eight position electronic filter wheels for one.25", 31mmm, 36mm, and 2" filters. The larger two" filter wheels are intended for use with the total-frame ASI6200-series cameras.

Figure 9 - The ZWO manual filter bike holds up to four color filters. Image courtesy of ZWO

Adapters: ZWO now offers an ever-increasing range of simple yet necessary mechanical adapters for a variety of applications. These could exist useful for attaching accessories with differing thread formats and getting the correct spacing between the photographic camera and accessories such as focal reducers, barlows, and and then along.

Camera Kits: Camera kits, consisting of a camera, a filter wheel, and select filters are too offered for some popular photographic camera models. Buying the kit saves you a niggling chip of money every bit compared to buying the individual items separately.

vii. Summary

As this heir-apparent's guide has shown, ZWO has a comprehensive (and growing) line of astronomy cameras to suit imagers with an interest in the planets, Moon and Dominicus, and the deep sky. With state of the fine art CMOS sensors, these multipurpose cameras are designed to adapt a broad range of budgets and are piece of cake to use, so it has been easier to become into astroimaging and start producing good results. ZWO is constantly innovating then new cameras and accessories are introduced often. As new products and accessories are introduced, this guide will be updated, then cheque back here regularly, or accept a look at Agena's ZWO product page at this link.

Article © Agena AstroProducts, 2017. Reproduction without permission prohibited.

Source: https://agenaastro.com/articles/product-types/zwo-astronomy-cameras-buyers-guide.html

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