ZWO ASI224MC USB3.0 Colour Astronomy CMOS Camera

Thinking Planetary Photography?

Think ASI 224MC!

Since its creation in 2011, the ASI120 has been a favourite for amateurs to image our solar system. By 2014, the ASI120 had become the standard camera for planetary photography. To offer some variety, we released the ASI174, while being an amazing camera, it has different uses from the ASI120 and a larger price tag.

By 2015 the astrophotography community was very well accustomed to the ASI120. It was known for producing amazing results and being affordable. This doesn’t mean it had no downside. With a lack of brightness at high gain and a high readout noise, there was room for improvement. We know how much everyone loves the ASI120, so we did our best to keep all the best features, such as its resolution, frame size, and pixel size while making our new planetary camera. The ASI224MC.

The ASI224MC features a SONY 1/3-inch frame and a 1.2-megapixel IMX224 sensor. This sensor supports SONY Exmor and NIR technology. It is a highly sensitive back-illuminated sensor with a QE peak of approximately 75%-80%.

The ASI224MC features extremely low read noise (0.8e) and ultra-high sensitivity, especially in the infrared range. Ultra-low readout noise below 0.8e is comparable to sCMOS or EMCCD sensors without the huge price tag!

With a resolution of 1304×976 the ASI 224 beats it’s younger brother, the ASI120. With a pixel size, the same as the ASI120, the ASI224MC offers the same field of view but with higher resolution and lower noise.

With an ultra-low readout noise of 0.8e, images from the ASI224MC have a higher signal-to-noise ratio and a wider gain range than the ASI120. This makes the ASI224MC the ideal camera for planetary photography.

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words. Here are some examples of how good the ASI224MC is for planetary imaging.

The ASI224MC is a color camera and incredibly easy to use. If you are looking for the next step in planetary photography, the ASI224MC is the answer.

Because of the ASI224MC’s ultra-low readout noise, it is possible to use this camera for deep space photography as well as planetary. 

I know you have looked at Hubble images and wished you had a space telescope! Well the ASI224 can get you there! Check out this comparison of a Hubble image of the Ring Nebula and an amateur.

Camera Features

· Supports planetary as well as some deep sky imaging

· Resolution: 1304 x 976 at up to 64 fps (at 12-bit ADC) or 150 fps (at 10-bit ADC)

· Maximum exposure time of 1000 seconds!

· Autoguider port

· Extremely low read noise (0.8e at 60 Gain)

· High Sensitivity, especially in IR range

· Full aluminium housing with standard 2-inch interface

· M42x0.75 internal thread

· Includes 1.25-inch T-adapter

ZWO ASI224MC CMOS Color Astronomy Camera Specifications: 

· Sensor: 1/3-inch CMOS IMX224

· Resolution: 1.2 Mega Pixels

· Minimum Exposure Time: 0.000032 seconds

· Maximum Exposure Time: 1000 seconds

· ROI: Supported

· Binning Modes: 2 x 2

· Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5 mm

· Shutter Type: Rolling

· Window: AR coated

· Operating System Compatability: Mac, Windows, Linus

· Interface: USB 3.0/ USB 2.0

· Bit rate: 12-bit output (12-bit ADC)

· Adapter: 2-inch/ 1.25-inch/ M42X0.75

· Diameter: 62 mm

· Weight: 3.5-ounces (0.26 lb)

· Pixel Array: 1304 x 976

· Pixel Size: 3.75 microns square

· Sensor Size: 4.8 mm x 3.6 mm

· Diagonal Size: 6.09 mm

Astrophotography Performance

ASI224MC has a 1/3″ and 1.2M pixels sensor IMX224 with SONY Exmor and NIR Technology. It has extremely low read noise (1.5 e) and high sensitivity, especially in IR range of the spectrum. Read Noise of ASI224  is less than 1e which can compare with sCMOS or EMCCD sensors. This camera is very suitable for astronomy planetary and small DSO imaging.

High QE

Regarding the relative QE Curve, we estimate the Peak Value should be between 75%-80%.

PCB Version1.3 (include Anti-amp glow function)

Most sensors will have an amp-glow problem only if you do long-time exposure capture, such as longer than 1s.

We apply “amp glow reduction technology” to our ASI224MC and ASI224MC-C camera, it is a hardware modification to reduce the amp-glow of the sensor. Not every sensor can benefit from this modification, but it is beneficial for ASI224MC, so this upgrade is specifically implemented for ASI224MC  and ASI224MC-C.

We made this change in April 2016, which means the current units (ASI224MC and ASI224MC-C) that we produce, are all equipped with the newest PCB version —V1.3.

USB 3.0 Port: Can provide 5Gb bandwidth to let ASI224 run at 64fps (12bit, normal mode) or 150 fps (10bit, high speed mode)  at full resolution(1.2Mega).

ST4 Port: Can be used to connect with the auto guide port of the mount, for guiding.

Mechanical Diagram

What is in the box?