ZWO ASI294MC USB3.0 Colour Astronomy Camera

ASI 294 MC

ASI294 is the first camera in the world that is equipped with SONY's latest sensor IMX294CJK.

▶IMX294CJK

Diagonal 21.63 mm (Type 4/3) Approx. 10.71M-Effective Pixel Color CMOS Image Sensor. In our effort, we remoulded it to make it Diagonal by 23.2mm (Type 4/3) Approx. 11.71M-Effective Pixel.

▶High-Sensitivity Type 4/3 CMOS Image Sensor that Supports 4K for Astronomic Cameras and Industrial Applications

The “IMX294CJK” is the first in-house image sensor for astronomic cameras to adopt the Type 4/3 format, and realizes output of the number of pixels needed for 4K at 120 frame/s (in ADC 10-bit output mode, ASI 294MC can run up to 25fps at 4k format base on USB3.0 bandwidth). In addition, the use of a large-size pixel achieves SNR1s of 0.14 lx* which is very close to the value of ASI224(0.13 lx*).

▶Exceptional low-illumination performance

Exceptional low-illumination performance of SNR1s: 0.14 lx is realized by the use of a large-size optical system and by expanding the area per pixel to 4.63 µm. This makes the IMX294CJK ideal sensor for astronomic camera market applications which requires low-illumination performance.

14bit ADC & 13 stops DR

ASI294 has 14-bit ADC and it can achieve 13 stops dynamic range which is even better than ASI1600.

HCG Mode

HCG mode will be on when gain is higher than 120(12db), read noise will drop below 2e but same dynamic range(13 stops).

Full well Capacity

63700e full well, which is 3 times than ASI1600’s capacity. Even bright stars won’t saturate under long exposure.

This camera can achieve higher SNR(signal-to-noise ratio) with just one single exposure.

High QE

IMX294 sensor is a BSI(back-illuminated type) sensor and has very high QE(we suppose the QE peak is more than 75%).

USB 3.0 Port & ST4 Port

USB 3.0 Port: Provide 5Gb bandwidth to make it possible for  ASI294MC to run at 16 fps (14bit, normal mode) or 19 fps (12bit, high speed mode)  at full resolution(11.7Mega).

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

Mechanical Drawing

What is in the box?

ASI294MC box includes all necessary cables, adapters, and manuals.