ZWO ASI224MC – Extremely Low Noise with Superior NIR Sensitivity

ZWO’s ASI224MC one shot colour astronomy camera has some very noteworthy features. It uses a Sony IMX224 CMOS sensor with Exmor and NIR Technology. Read noise is extremely low while having amazing sensitivity in the near infrared. Fast USB3.0 speed makes it ideal for imaging Solar System and small DSOs such as planetary nebulae.

Super Low Read Noise less than 1e which can compare with sCMOS or EMCCD sensors

Many images of faint nebulae or galaxies require long exposure times, especially to bring out faint details. Digital sensors and processing software allows stacking multiple exposures. You often hear “..a stack of 6 x 10 minute exposures” giving 60 minutes total exposure. The big obstacle may be getting your mount to track precisely enough for 10 minutes.

Why not just take 60 x 1 minute shots? Or 120 x 30 second shots?  Or even 3600 x 1 second shots to get the same result.

The answer is read noise. Every time the sensor is read inherent uncertainty in the pixel values is included in the data – this is the “read noise”. Long exposures produce good signal with low read noise. Images with many short exposures include read noise from every subframe – so you don’t get the same result.

ZWO’s ASI224MC has very low read noise. So low in fact that it is becoming possible to thousands of short exposures and add them without a significant penalty in read noise. The age of “lucky imaging” is approaching.

ASI224MC Read Noise
ASI224MC Read Noise

Transmission characteristics of the ASI224MC’s bayer array

ASI224MC QE
ASI224MC QE

ZWO ASI224MC Specifications

Sensor 1/3” CMOS IMX224
Resolution 1.2Mega Pixels 1304X976
Pixel Size 3.75µm
Sensor Size 4.8mm*3.6mm
Diagonal 6.09mm
Exposure Range 32µs-1000s
ROI Supported
Binning 2×2 binning supported
Back focus distance 12.5mm
Shutter Type Rolling Shutter
Protect window AR coated window
Operating System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate 12bit output(12bit ADC)
Adapter 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimensions 62 mm Diameter
Weight 100g
Working Temperature -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity 20%—95%

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.

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ZWO ASI224MC Colour

SKU: ZWO-ASI224MC

$349.00

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 ASI224MC Colour

    SKU: ZWO-ASI224MC

    $349.00

    Available on back-order

    ZWO ASI224MC – Extremely Low Noise with Superior NIR Sensitivity

    ZWO’s ASI224MC one shot colour astronomy camera has some very noteworthy features. It uses a Sony IMX224 CMOS sensor with Exmor and NIR Technology. Read noise is extremely low while having amazing sensitivity in the near infrared. Fast USB3.0 speed makes it ideal for imaging Solar System and small DSOs such as planetary nebulae.

    Super Low Read Noise less than 1e which can compare with sCMOS or EMCCD sensors

    Many images of faint nebulae or galaxies require long exposure times, especially to bring out faint details. Digital sensors and processing software allows stacking multiple exposures. You often hear “..a stack of 6 x 10 minute exposures” giving 60 minutes total exposure. The big obstacle may be getting your mount to track precisely enough for 10 minutes.

    Why not just take 60 x 1 minute shots? Or 120 x 30 second shots?  Or even 3600 x 1 second shots to get the same result.

    The answer is read noise. Every time the sensor is read inherent uncertainty in the pixel values is included in the data – this is the “read noise”. Long exposures produce good signal with low read noise. Images with many short exposures include read noise from every subframe – so you don’t get the same result.

    ZWO’s ASI224MC has very low read noise. So low in fact that it is becoming possible to thousands of short exposures and add them without a significant penalty in read noise. The age of “lucky imaging” is approaching.

    ASI224MC Read Noise
    ASI224MC Read Noise

    Transmission characteristics of the ASI224MC’s bayer array

    ASI224MC QE
    ASI224MC QE

    ZWO ASI224MC Specifications

    Sensor 1/3” CMOS IMX224
    Resolution 1.2Mega Pixels 1304X976
    Pixel Size 3.75µm
    Sensor Size 4.8mm*3.6mm
    Diagonal 6.09mm
    Exposure Range 32µs-1000s
    ROI Supported
    Binning 2×2 binning supported
    Back focus distance 12.5mm
    Shutter Type Rolling Shutter
    Protect window AR coated window
    Operating System Compatibility Mac, Windows, Linux
    Interface USB3.0/USB2.0
    Bit rate 12bit output(12bit ADC)
    Adapter 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
    Dimensions 62 mm Diameter
    Weight 100g
    Working Temperature -5°C—45°C
    Storage Temperature -20°C—60°C
    Working Relative Humidity 20%—80%
    Storage Relative Humidity 20%—95%

    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.

    Reviews

    There are no reviews yet

    Be the first to review “ZWO ASI224MC Colour”

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      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