ZWO ASI678MC USB3.0 Color Astronomy Camera - ASI678MC

The ASI678MC One Shot Color Planetary Camera uses the IMX678 CMOS back-illuminated image sensor with a small pixel size of 2um.   It offers excellent NIR, low readout noise of 0.6e, a large full well capacity and high dynamic range, making this camera great for imaging the planets, the Sun, or the Moon.  

The Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor has a 3840*2160 image array with approximately 8.29M effective pixels. Compared to the ASI178MC, this camera features lower readout noise, higher sensitivity, and decreased dark current noise.  The performance in the near infrared is also greatly improved.  The ASI678MC also offers zero amp glow.

The ASI678MC 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 182, the HCG mode will automatically turn on. The read out noise can be as low as 0.8e, while the dynamic range can still reach a level close to 12bit.

The ASI678MC has much lower dark current noise than the ASI178, and therefore has better image signal-to-noise ratios.  This can be seen when comparing dark frames - the ASI678 look smoother and has much less noise in comparison.

The body of the ASI678MC 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.  

The camera also includes a built-in 256MB DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmissions.  During long exposures, the DDR3 memory helps avoid frame dropping and also reduces the glow effect caused by a slow reading speed.

ZWO ASI678MC Color Camera Specifications

• Sensor: 1/1.8” CMOS IMX678
  
• Diagonal: 8.86mm
  
• Resolution: 8.29 Mega Pixels 3840*2160
  
• Pixel Size: 2μm
• Shutter: Rolling shutter
  
• Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
• Interface: USB 3.0 /USB 2.0 Type-B
  
• ST4 Guider Port: Yes
  
• Back Focus Length:  12.5mm
• Max FPS:  47.5
• Full Well:  11.27ke-
• Protective Window:  AR Coated
• Operating System Compatibility:  Mac, Windows 7/8/10 32 & 64, Linux
• Bit Rate:  12Bit output (12bit ADC)
• Sensor Dimension: 7.68mm X 4.32mm
  
• Weight: 126g
  
• 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 ASI678 Color Planetary Camera you will receive the camera body, a 1.25" nosepiece, a USB3.0 cable, an ST4 cable,  a 1.25" 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.