ZWO ASI 174MM Astronomy Camera

ZWO’s new ASI174MM camera uses Sony’s latest Pregius IMX174 CMOS sensor. It combines several features putting it high on the list for anyone wanting to capture spectacular lunar and solar images, high resolution planetary images at long focal lengths or even as an autoguider without worrying “will I be able to find a guide star?”

The main advantages of the Sony IMX174 chip are:

  • Large sensor size of more than 13mm across the diagonal
  • High quantum efficiency of 78% at its peak
  • Very low read noise of only 6e
  • Extremely fast frame rate – effectively freezing moments of steady seeing
  • Global shutter and no fixed pattern noise

Sony IMX174 Sensor – big benefits

Prior to the release of the ZWO ASI174 cameras it was difficult to find a good camera capable of full disk images of the Moon or Sun. This is no problem with the ASI174. It’s sensor has a pixel array of 1936 x 1216 with 5.86 µm square pixels. This makes the diagonal measurement of the chip 13.4mm across.

ASI174 Field of View
ASI174 Field of View

The Image above shows the comparative field of view between the ASI120 camera and the new ASI174. Shot through a small refractor at 600mm focal length you can see the ASI174 will easily cover 0.5° of sky. It is now very easy to caputre full disk images of the Sun through many popular solar telescopes from Coronado and Lunt – no more mosaics required.

Quantum Efficiency and Read Noise

Another big benefit of Sony’s IMX174 chip is the high quantum efficiency coupled with very low read noise. This equates directly to better signal to noise. Even with very fast capture rates you will get more signal from your target and less contribution from reading off the sensor of the camera – in essence cleaner data resulting in better images!

For a few years now Sony’s highly regarded ICX618 CCD chip was a popular choice for planetary cameras. If we compare the new Sony IMX174 sensor to Sony’s ICX618 the news is good for both QE and read noise.

The quantum efficiency of the IMX174 is slightly more than 11% better with read noise of nearly half! (6e for the IMX174 vs 11e for the ICX618).

Sensor
1/1.2″ CMOS IMX174 (mono)
Pixel Array 1936 x 1216
Pixel Size 5.86µm
Exposure Range
32µs-1000s
Bit Depth 12 or 10 bit output (12bit ADC)
ROI Supported
Interface USB3.0
Adapter 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Peak QE
78%
Read Noise
6e
Well Depth
32,000e-
Max Frame Rate
164fps (at full resolution – 10bit)

 

The ZWO website is always updated with the most recent camera drivers as well as software for DSO and planetary imaging. Please make sure the most recent driver and software has been installed before you start shooting:

It is also recommended to read the Manuals first before shooting.

ZWO ASI174MM Monochrome

SKU: ZWO-ASI174MM

$899.00

Available on back-order

✅ Expert Advice
✅ Australian Owned
✅ Lifetime Technical Support

    Need Expert Advice?

    Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

    Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293

    ZWO ASI174MM Monochrome

    SKU: ZWO-ASI174MM

    $899.00

    Available on back-order

    ZWO ASI 174MM Astronomy Camera

    ZWO’s new ASI174MM camera uses Sony’s latest Pregius IMX174 CMOS sensor. It combines several features putting it high on the list for anyone wanting to capture spectacular lunar and solar images, high resolution planetary images at long focal lengths or even as an autoguider without worrying “will I be able to find a guide star?”

    The main advantages of the Sony IMX174 chip are:

    • Large sensor size of more than 13mm across the diagonal
    • High quantum efficiency of 78% at its peak
    • Very low read noise of only 6e
    • Extremely fast frame rate – effectively freezing moments of steady seeing
    • Global shutter and no fixed pattern noise

    Sony IMX174 Sensor – big benefits

    Prior to the release of the ZWO ASI174 cameras it was difficult to find a good camera capable of full disk images of the Moon or Sun. This is no problem with the ASI174. It’s sensor has a pixel array of 1936 x 1216 with 5.86 µm square pixels. This makes the diagonal measurement of the chip 13.4mm across.

    ASI174 Field of View
    ASI174 Field of View

    The Image above shows the comparative field of view between the ASI120 camera and the new ASI174. Shot through a small refractor at 600mm focal length you can see the ASI174 will easily cover 0.5° of sky. It is now very easy to caputre full disk images of the Sun through many popular solar telescopes from Coronado and Lunt – no more mosaics required.

    Quantum Efficiency and Read Noise

    Another big benefit of Sony’s IMX174 chip is the high quantum efficiency coupled with very low read noise. This equates directly to better signal to noise. Even with very fast capture rates you will get more signal from your target and less contribution from reading off the sensor of the camera – in essence cleaner data resulting in better images!

    For a few years now Sony’s highly regarded ICX618 CCD chip was a popular choice for planetary cameras. If we compare the new Sony IMX174 sensor to Sony’s ICX618 the news is good for both QE and read noise.

    The quantum efficiency of the IMX174 is slightly more than 11% better with read noise of nearly half! (6e for the IMX174 vs 11e for the ICX618).

    Sensor
    1/1.2″ CMOS IMX174 (mono)
    Pixel Array 1936 x 1216
    Pixel Size 5.86µm
    Exposure Range
    32µs-1000s
    Bit Depth 12 or 10 bit output (12bit ADC)
    ROI Supported
    Interface USB3.0
    Adapter 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
    Peak QE
    78%
    Read Noise
    6e
    Well Depth
    32,000e-
    Max Frame Rate
    164fps (at full resolution – 10bit)

     

    The ZWO website is always updated with the most recent camera drivers as well as software for DSO and planetary imaging. Please make sure the most recent driver and software has been installed before you start shooting:

    It is also recommended to read the Manuals first before shooting.

      Need Expert Advice?

      Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography, Microscopy and Macro Photography can be a little complicated sometimes as there are a lot of options. If you'd like to check something before you purchase just let us know and we'd be happy to help!

      Enquire now or call us (03) 9042 2293