ZWO ASI2600MM Pro Monochrome Astronomy CMOS Camera

The long-awaited ZWO ASI 2600MM Pro is late to the show, but there's a good reason why.

With Sony’s newest back-illuminated IMX571 APS-C format native 16-bit ADC sensor, an ultra-high 14 stops dynamic range, an ultra-low 1.0e readout noise, and zero amp-glow, the ZWO ASI 2600 MM Pro Monochrome Astronomy Camera is set to be every astrophotographer's favorite child. 

Years of technical experience accumulation and repeated weight loss experiments have allowed a slim pocket-size body weighing only 700g, while it boasts a small pixel size of 3.76um with the incredible ability to accommodate a large well depth of 50ke.

ASI2600MM Pro uses Sony’s latest back-illuminated IMX571 APS-C format native 16-bit ADC sensor. It’s one of the most anticipated astronomy cameras of 2021. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Ultra-high 14 stops dynamic range
• Ultra-low 1.0e readout noise
• Innovative breakthrough design resulting in zero amp-glow
• 16-bit ADC sensor

Like the color version, the ASI2600MM Pro also has a very light weight of just 700 grams.

APS-C Format:

This is a 26MP camera featuring a small pixel size of 3.76um yet also having the incredible ability to accommodate a large well depth of 50ke.

The sensor length and width are 23.5mm * 15.7mm. The diagonal is 28.3mm.

Native 16bit ADC:

As one of the few CMOS astronomy cameras with 16-bit ADC on the market, ASI2600MM Pro was conceived having in mind the optimal characteristics for astrophotography. This 16-bit ADC is not a CCD 16-bit ADC. It can achieve a dynamic range output of 14 stops, which will significantly improve the image sharpness and contrast, and also create smoother and more natural contrast transitions (as well as color gradients when using different types of filters).

IMX571 Backlit Sensor:

Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves the sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality. It does this by radically realigning the fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination, while still retaining the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor’s light-sensitive area (photo-diode), impede photon-gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to the optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors. These components have been moved to the back side of the silicon substrate.

Camera Performance:

The ASI2600MM Pro boasts excellent performance with a dynamic range of up to 14 stops. When the gain value is set to 100, the HCG high gain mode is turned on. We’re not saying it’s magic…but we’d like to think it is pretty close. With the HCG mode turned on, the readout noise is greatly reduced, and the dynamic range is unchanged. To improve the data quality, it is recommended to set the gain to 0 or 100 during deep-sky imaging.

Zero Amp Glow:

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images. It is the tell-tale signs of ‘amp glow’. As the ASI2600MM Pro uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

Dark flame with amp glow – 300s exposure time

Dark frame from ASI2600 without any amp glow – 300s exposure time

Anti-Dew Heater:

There is a polyimide heater completely fitting the protective window in the ASI2600MM Pro camera. It can help avoid any potential annoying dew or icing issues depending on the environment in which you capture images.

The power of the heater is around 5W. You are free to turn it off anytime in your photography software if you want to save power.

QE Value:

According to the test results of Sony, the QE peak value of the ASI2600MM Pro is 91%.

Two-Stage TEC Cooling, Ultra-Low Dark Current:

Thanks to the two-stage TEC cooling, ASI2600MM Pro can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to more than 35 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even during extended exposure times.

*The Delta T 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature. It might get down when the cooling system is working for a long time. Also, as the ambient temperature falls, the Delta T would also decrease. 

The unique dark current suppression technology can further reduce dark current noise. At a cooling temperature of 0 °C, the dark current noise is only 0.0022e/s/pixel. This means a 300s exposure will only cause 0.7e dark current noise, which is less than the readout noise. While at a cooling temperature of -20 °, the dark current can even reduce to 0.00012e/s/pixel, which is completely negligible!

Please notice that the camera needs to be connected to an external 11-15v power supply to implement the cooling function. We recommend you use a 12V@3A DC adapter (5.5*2.1mm, center pole positive) or a lithium battery with 11-15V to power the camera. If you don’t have one, please click here to buy a 12V power adapter. There are 4 different standards for different countries, please make sure you select the correct adapter when placing the order.

USB3.0 & 256M DDR3 Memory:

The ASI2600MM Pro is equipped with a USB 3.0 transmission interface and a built-in 256MB DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmission.

Mechanical Diagram

What is in the box?

The best solution of 55mm back focus length:

Connecting Diagram with DSLRs:

1. Nikon-T2 adapter
2. EOS-T2 adapter
3. 2” filter (optional)
4. Nikon lens
5. Canon lens

Please notice that the camera needs to be connected to an external DC 12V @3A~5A power supply adapter for use (connector 5.5*2.1mm, center pole positive). If you don’t have one, click here to buy a 12V power adapter. There are 4 different standards for different countries, make sure you select the correct adapter when placing the order. You can also use a lithium battery with 11-15V to power the camera. Just be aware that power supplies out of this range might cause irreversible damage to your camera.