ZWO ASI678MM Monochrome Planetary Camera – Precision Imaging with High IR Sensitivity

The ZWO ASI678MM is a high-performance monochrome planetary camera built around Sony’s STARVIS 2 IMX678 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. With a 1/1.8″ diagonal, an impressive 8.29MP resolution, and ultra-fine 2.0µm pixels, this camera delivers detailed, high-contrast images. It serves as a direct successor to the ASI178MM, offering notable improvements such as zero amp glow, lower dark current, and reduced read noise.

Thanks to its peak quantum efficiency of up to 83%, the ASI678MM performs exceptionally well across both visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Its high sensitivity and low noise characteristics make it an outstanding choice for high-resolution planetary imaging. Additionally, the camera’s enhanced infrared response makes it ideal for use with filters like 850nm IR-Pass or 890nm methane band filters.

The camera features a USB 3.0 interface that delivers 5Gbps bandwidth, allowing it to reach up to 47.5 frames per second in 12-bit mode at full 8.29MP resolution. Actual frame rate may vary depending on your computer’s processing power and storage speed. For best performance, using a solid-state drive (SSD) is strongly recommended.

To further enhance image quality, the ASI678MM includes High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode. This feature activates automatically at gain levels above 80, effectively reducing read noise to just 1.0e- while maintaining a wide 12-stop dynamic range. This ensures crisp detail even under higher gain settings without sacrificing tonal depth.

Additionally, the camera includes integrated hardware-level anti-amp glow circuitry, which helps maintain clean, artifact-free images during long exposures or high-gain captures.

In summary, the ZWO ASI678MM is a powerful solution for astrophotographers seeking a monochrome planetary camera with excellent resolution, low noise, and superior infrared performance.

Mechanical Diagram