ZWO ASI533MC Pro Colour Astronomy CMOS Camera

ZWO ASI 533MC Pro Colour Astronomy CMOS Camera

This latest generation camera retains key features of the ASI183 series-such as an attractive QE figure and high frame rate--but now includes zero amp glow, extremely low readout noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 microns pixel size and an improved 2 stage TEC cooler.

ASI 533 MC Pro

Camera Sensor

▶IMX533

1” square sensor

The IMX533 is a 1-inch, 9MP CMOS image sensor in a square format with a 3.76 um pixel size, capable of producing frames at 20 frames/sec in 14-bit mode.

Read-out noise is as low as 1.0e which makes it comparable to SCMOS or EMCCD sensors and highly suitable for high definition, low noise imaging.

IMX533 backlit sensor

Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained 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 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 that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.
Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

Camera Performance

Low read-out noise, high dynamic range.

Zero Amp Glow

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell tale signs of ‘amp glow’. As the ASI533MC PRO uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

With amp glow – exposure 300 second exposure:

ASI533 frame with no amp glow – Exposure 300 seconds:

Dark current

Note: We recommend using an external 12V power supply to power the camera instead of USB 3.0/2.0 only

DDR Memory Buffer

The ASI533MC PRO is equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, and even in 14-bit mode, can reach 20 frames per second. The 256MB DDR3 memory ensures stable downloading of frames with increased USB speeds.

ASI533MC Pro – ASI183MC Pro Comparision

The ASI533MC PRO features SONY’s latest back-illuminated IMX533 sensor, with a 1-inch square, 9.07MP sensor that is ideal for astronomical photography needs and can be considered as the latest iteration of the venerable ASI183MC Pro.

As you would expect this latest generation camera not only retains key features of the ASI183 series such as an attractive QE figure, high frame rate and along with other excellent characteristics of the ASI183 cameras but also now includes new and improved features such as zero amp glow, extremely low readout noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 microns pixel size and an improved 2 stage TEC cooler giving enhanced cooling capabilities.

Mechanical Diagram

Here is the review from Trevor Jones

What is in the box?

Spacer thickness: 0.1mm *1+0.2mm *2+0.5mm *1

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, centre 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. Or 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.