Two new ZWO ASI planetary cameras are now available. The ZWO ASI482MC and ZWO ASI485MC are cameras that offer 1.2″ format backlit sensors, extremely high sensitivity and excellent visibility at low illumination.
Both cameras offer a generous sensor and excellent noise performance for imaging planets, the Moon and Sun, and deep-sky objects. With a sensor size of 11.13mm x 6.26mm (a 12.86 mm diagonal), the cameras offer sensors that have four times the area of ZWO’s ASI462MC camera (four times the field of view) while retaining a 2.1 megapixel (1920 x 1080) resolution.
They also offer a built-in high-conversion gain (HCG mode) which effectively reduces the readout noise at high gain and keeps the same wide dynamic range as at low gain. When the gain is 80 or above, the ASI482MC in HCG mode will automatically turn on to reduce read noise while still providing a dynamic range of close to 11 stops. The minimum read noise is 0.7e. For the ASI485MC, when the gain is 80 or above, the HCG mode will automatically turn on to reduce read noise while still providing a dynamic range of close to 12 stops. The minimum read noise is 1.5e.
The performance and sensor size of these cameras and their large pixel size makes them particularly useful for solar, lunar and planetary imaging. They are also great cameras for “lucky imaging” of deep-sky objects by taking multiple images in short exposure times and stacking them to improve signal-to-noise ratio. They can also be used for electronically-assisted astronomy (EAA) or all-sky imaging.
ASI482MC
Based on the Sony IMX482 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the ZWO ASI482MC color camera offers 5.8 micron pixels and twice the noise performance in low-light conditions as the popular ASI385MC planetary camera. It also has extremely high sensitivity and low read noise and backward USB 2.0 compatibility. With the full well capacity of 51.5ke-, the ASI482MC displays rich star details when taking astrophotos even when brighter stars are in the field of view. The sensor has an estimated peak QE of 85%.
The ASI482MC is powered and controlled via USB 3.0. It provides 5Gb/s bandwidth to let the camera run at 82.5fps (10bit, high speed mode) or 57.5fps (12bit, normal mode) at full 2.1 megapixel resolution. The camera also includes a port for autoguiding.
ASI482MC specifications include:
– Sensor: 1/1.2″ CMOS Sony-IMX482
– Bayer Pattern: R Gr Gb B
– QE peak: 85%@530nm
– Back focus length: 17.5mm
– Max fps: 82.5fps
– Full well: 51.5ke
– Shutter: Rolling shutter
– Resolution: 2.07 megapixel; 1920*1080
– Pixel Size: 5.8µm
– Data Format: RAW8; RAW16; RGB24; Mono8
– Exposure Range: 32μs~2000s
– Interface: USB3.0
– Protect window: AR
– ADC: 12bit
– Dimension: 62mm X 41.05mm
– Weight: 0.133kg (4.7oz)
– Working Temperature: -5℃~50℃
– Storage Temperature: -10℃~60℃
– Working Relative Humidity: 0-80%
– Supported OS: WIN7/8/10 32&64; Linux; Mac
ZWO ASI485MC
Based on the Sony IMX485 back-illuminated 1/1.2” CMOS sensor, with a size of 11.13mm x 6.26mm (a 12.86 mm diagonal), this camera has extremely high sensitivity and low read noise and backward USB 2.0 compatibility. With the full well capacity of 13ke-, ASI485MC displays rich star details when taking astrophotos. The sensor has an estimated peak QE of 85%.
The ASI485MC is powered and controlled via USB 3.0. It provides 5Gb/s bandwidth to let the camera run at 39fps (10bit, high speed mode) or 57.5fps (12bit, normal mode) at full 8.29 megapixel resolution. The camera also includes a port for autoguiding.
ZWO ASI485MC specifications:
– Sensor: 1/1.2″ CMOS Sony-IMX485
– Bayer Pattern: R Gr Gb B
– QE peak85%@530nm
– Back focus length: 17.5mm
– Max fps: 39fps
– Full well: 13ke
– Shutter: Rolling shutter
– Resolution: 8.29 megapixel (3840 x 2160)
– Pixel Size: 2.9µm
– Data Format: RAW8; RAW16; RGB24; Mono8
– Exposure Range: 32μs~2000s
– Interface: USB3.0
– Protect window: AR
– ADC: 12bit
– Dimension: φ62mm x 41.05mm
– Weight: 0.133KG
– Working Temperature: -5℃~50℃
– Storage Temperature: -10℃~60℃
– Working Relative Humidity: 0-80%
– Supported OS: WIN7/8/10 32&64;Linux; Mac
You can learn more about the new ZWO ASI planetary cameras here.
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