ZWO ASI294MC USB3.0 Color Astronomy Camera - ASI294MC

The CMOS sensor in the ASI294MC Color Planetary Camera is the back-illuminated Sony IMX294CJK, a high sensitivity, Type 4/3 image sensor with 4144 x 2822 resolution and a pixel size of 4.63um. The IMX294CJK was reconfigured by ZWO to increase the diagonal size from the Sony specs of 21.63 mm to a larger 23.2 mm.  This increased the effective pixel count to 11.7M from the original 10.71 mm.

The Sony IMX294CJK is the first in-house image sensor designed for astronomy cameras (and industrial applications) that adopted the Type 4/3 format.  The pixel output supports 4K at 120 FPS.  In ADC 10-Bit output mode, the ZWO ASI294MC can run up to 25 FPS at 4K format base on the supported USB3.0 bandwidth.  

The use of a larger pixel size achieves SNR1s* of 0.14 lx, which equals exceptional low-illumination performance.  In fact, the SNR1s of the ASI294MC is very close to that of the ASI224, which a value of 0.13 lx.

The ASI294MC has 14bit ADC and can achieve 13 stops of dynamic range, which surpasses the more expensive ASI1600!  HGC mode will be on when gain is higher than 120 at 12db, read noise will drop below 2e, but the dynamic range of 13 stops will stay the same.

This camera has a full well capacity of 63700e, which is 3 times that of the ASI1600.  Even bright stars won't saturate under long exposures.  

The IMX294 sensor is back-illuminated and has very high QE.  The peak QE is more than 75%.

The body has a USB3.0 port as well as an ST4 port.  The USB3.0 port provides a 5Gb bandwidth, making it possible for the camera to run at full resolution (11.7M) at 16 FPS in 14bit normal mode, or 19 FPS during 12bit, high speed mode.

Specifications

• Sensor: 4/3″ SONY IMX294 CMOS
  
• Diagonal: 23.2mm
  
• Resolution: 11.7Mega Pixels 4144X2822
  
• Pixel Size: 4.63µm
  
• Bayer Pattern: RGGB
  
• Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
  
• ROI: Supported
  
• Non-volatile memory/On camera storage: Build-in total 192K byte user-accessible space(image size up to 480X320)
  
• Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
  
• ST4 Guider Port: Yes
  
• Focus Distance to Sensor: 17.5mm
  
• 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)
  
• Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
  
• Dimension: φ62mm X 36mm
  
• Weight: 120g or 4.2 ounces (without lens)
  
• Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
  
• Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
  
• Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
  
• Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
  
• Max FPS at full resolution:
  
• 12Bit ADC
  
• 4144×2822 19fps
  
• 14bit ADC
  
• 4144×2822 16fps
  

What's in the Box?

When you purchase the ZWO ASI294 Color Planetary Camera you will receive the camera body, a 1.25" nosepiece, a T2 to 1.25" adapter, a USB3.0 cable, an ST4 cable,  a 1.25" and 2" cover for the camera, and a Quick Guide. Before you start imaging, make sure you have the newest camera driver and imaging software installed on your computer. You can get it on the ZWO website in the "software" section.

*SNR1s (lx) is a performance index proposed by Sony to evaluate picture quality at low illumination for CMOS image sensors.  "SNR" = Signal-To-Noise Ratio, "1" represents the signal level when noise = 1 is 1, and the "s" stands for Security.