ZWO ASI294MC/MM PRO Cooled Colour or Monochrome 4/3" CMOS USB3.0 Deep Sky Imager Camera

Now available in a choice of colour or monochrome! Please select the option when purchasing.

Similarly to the ZWO ASI1600MC camera, the ASi294MC camera would be an excellent choice for imaging deep sky objects, however it can do much more than that. With a max framerate of 19 FPS at 10 bit ADC and 16 FPS at 14 bit ADC this camera can also be used as an extremely high resolution planetary imager. If you cannot decide if your thing is deep sky or planetary imaging, go for this camera. It is also a much more affordable alternative to converting a dSLR.

You can even use it for guiding, although we understand that it is somewhat a waste of a talent to use it for guiding, but there might be special circumstances or setups when you would want to use it for guiding, so the opportunity is given.

There are two versions with this same large 4/3" sensor (23.2mm diagonal):

Colour cooled or uncooled. (There is no monochrome version of this sensor.)

If you would mainly use it as a deep sky imager camera, we'd also recommend to go for this COOLED version, but if you cannot afford or you'd be mainly using it as a very high resolution planetary imager, then go for the UNCOOLED version.

This product listing is for the COOLED version of the ASI294MC. This cooled version is part of the PRO series of cooled ZWO cameras that features a DDR memory buffer.

With the ZWO ASI294MC you won't have to spend lots of time to get beautiful images, however, if you want to get the best results from this range of cameras and you have plenty of time to spare, why not to try L-RGB or narrow band photography with the monochrome version of the similar ZWO ASI1600MM or ZWO ASI1600MM-COOL. (If you go for the monochrome version, you'll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters, plus H-alpha, OIII and SII filters, and maybe even H-beta filter as well for narrow band photography...)

Please note that the sensor diagonal size is very close to the internal clear aperture of a 1.25" filter, therefore with extremely fast telescopes (small f-ratio) there might be vignetting. The limiting f-ratio will depend on the telescope and whether you will use any filters with this camera. Although it's a colour camera, good results can be achieved by using filters against light pollution and even H-alpha or other narrowband filters in certain setups.

Features of the NEW ZWO ASI294MC-PRO

Recommended for Deep Sky Imaging as well as the Sun, Moon and planets at very high resolution (although monochrome ASI174 would be better for the Sun)
(To image the Sun you'll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)

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, ASI294MC can run up to 25fps at 4k format base on USB3.0 bandwidth). In addition, 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 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.

DDR Memory Buffer

The ASI294MC Pro camera includes a 256MB DDR3 memory buffer to help improve data transfer reliability. Additionally, the use of a memory buffer minimizes amp-glow, which is caused by the slow transfer speeds when the camera is used with a USB 2.0 port.

14bit ADC & 13 stops DR

ASI294 have 14bit 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 capacity, which is 3 times more than the 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.

Reliable Mechanics

ASI294MC Pro has same mechanics as ASI1600 Pro. There are four screws that seal the sensor chamber. Our camera design has been extensively tested and is very stable.

Even when used in higher humidity environments, ASI294MC Pro will still works fine without dew problems.

High QE

The IMX294 sensor is a BSI (backside illuminated type) sensor, which has very high QE (quantum efficiency, which we estimate is over 75% peak).

Cooling System

The ZWO ASI294MC-PRO has a two-stage TEC cooling system that allows deep cooling to 35°C-40°C below ambient. You will need an external power supply to power the cooler. As user might want to power it in various ways (i.e. from a power tank, a Primaluce Lab Eagle 2 or mains, an AC-DC power adapter is not included in this package.

FEATURES

Resolution: 11.7MPixel 4144 x 2822
Pixel Size: 4.63µm
Exposure range: 32µs - 2000s!
Read Noise: 1.2e  - 7.3e
Full Well: 63700e
ADC: 14 bit
Cooling: 40 - 45 degrees below ambient (obviously, only on the cooled version)
Standard Autoguider Port
Peak Quantum Efficiency: TBC
Full aluminum housing with standard 2" interface
M42X0.75 internal thread (T-thread)
Back Focus: 6.5mm (from camera front)
Back Focus: 17.5mm (from front of 11mm reverse thread adapter)