ZWO ASI482MC USB3.0 Color Astronomy Camera - ASI482MC

The ASI482MC One Shot Color Planetary Camera uses the IMX482 CMOS back-illuminated image sensor with a large pixel size of 5.8um, giving it 4X the sensor size of the IMX462.  The Sony IMX482 has a diagonal of 12.86mm and a sensor size of 11.13mm*6.26mm.

The Sony IMX482 has a 1920*1080 image array with approximately 2.07M effective pixels. This sensor has a large full well depth of 51.5ke-, as well as extremely high sensitivity and low noise.

The ASI482MC has a built-in HCG mode which can effectively reduce the readout noise at high gain and keep the same wide dynamic range as you would expect at low gain. When the gain is 80, the HCG mode will automatically turn on. The read out noise fall off a cliff while the dynamic range still can reach close to 12 stops. The minimum read noise is 1.5 e.

Sony SNR1s [lx] is an index used to quantitatively evaluate picture quality at low illumination. SNR1s [lx] is an acronym consisting of “SNR” (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), “1” (represents that the signal level when noise = 1 is 1), and “s” (for Security). The lower this value is, the greater the image quality will be at low illumination. The 5.8um large pixel size allows a low SNR1s value of 0.08lx for ASI482MC.

With the full well capacity of 51.5ke-, the ZWO ASI482MC displays rich star details when doing astrophotography. Coupled with the low SNR1s, the efficiency of data acquisition can be really high. This is particularly helpful for solar, lunar and planetary imaging, but it also makes the camera perfect for DSO lucky imaging (taking multiple photos in short exposure times and stack them to improve SNR.). Moreover, thanks to the features above, ASI482MC can also be an ideal EAA camera or all-sky camera.

The body of the ASI482MC is equipped with a USB3.0 Port as well as an ST4 Port, which can be connected via cable (included) to the auto guide port of your mount for guiding purposes.  The USB3.0 port can provide 5Gb bandwidth to let the camera run at 82.5ps (10bit, high speed mode), or 57.5fps (12 bit @ normal mode) at full resolution.  

ZWO ASI482MC Color Camera Specifications

• Sensor: 1/1.2” CMOS IMX482
  
• Diagonal: 12.86mm
  
• Resolution: 2.07 Mega Pixels 1920*1080
  
• Pixel Size: 5.8μm
• Shutter: Rolling shutter
  
• Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
• Interface: USB3.0
  
• ST4 Guider Port: Yes
  
• Back Focus Length:  17.5mm
• Max FPS:  82.5
• Full Well:  51.5ke-
• Data Format:  RAW8, RAW16, RGB24, Mono8
• Protective Window:  AR Coated
• Operating System Compatibility:  Mac, Windows 7/8/10 32 & 64, Linux
• Bit Rate:  12Bit output (12bit ADC)
• Dimension: φ78mm X 73.5mm
  
• Weight: 0.133kg
  
• Working Temperature: -5°C—50°C
  
• Storage Temperature: -10°C—60°C
  
• Working Relative Humidity: 0%—80%

What's in the Box?

When you purchase the ZWO ASI482 Color Planetary Camera you will receive the camera body, a 1.25" nosepiece, 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.