ZWO ASI 183MC Pro Color

ZWO ASI 183MC Pro Color: 20 megapixel with cooling for long exposures

The ASI183MC Pro combines the 20.18-megapixel Sony IMX183 color sensor with a two-stage Peltier cooling system that lowers the sensor's temperature by up to 45 degrees Celsius below ambient. This drastically reduces thermal noise, the biggest enemy of long exposures.

The internal 256 MB DDR3 buffer memory keeps the data flow via USB 3.0 stable, even during long exposure sequences. With 84% quantum efficiency and 2.4-micrometer pixels, the camera captures faint nebulae with fine detail.

Cooling that makes a difference

With minute-long exposures, thermal noise roughly doubles per 6 degrees Celsius of sensor temperature. By cooling to a fixed, low temperature, your captures not only become cleaner but also reproducible: today's dark frames will match next month's light frames.

For cooling, rely on a 12-volt power supply; the camera weighs 410 grams (14.5 oz).

Honest advice about the sensor

Even when cooled, the IMX183 amplifier shows glow during long exposures. Thanks to the stable cooling temperature, a set of dark frames fully calibrates out that glow. Those who prefer to work without that step can choose a glow-free sensor, like the one in the ASI533MC Pro.

For the money, you get the highest resolution in the cooled color offering here.

Featured accessories

• ZWO Power Supply 12V/5A: required for cooling
• ZWO Filters Duo-Band 2 inch: Nebula Contrast Under City Lights
• ZWO Verwarmingsring voor gekoelde ASI-camera’s: voorkomt condens op het sensorvenster
• ZWO ASIAIR Plus: fully automated sessions without a laptop

For whom yes, for whom no

Hello deep-sky photographers who want maximum resolution with cooling and calibrate with dark frames.

Not for those who want to minimize calibration; the ASI533MC Pro is glow-free and more forgiving.

Specifications

The ASI183MC Pro is the highest resolution in the cooled color range of ZWO. Combine with a duo-band filter for nebula imaging from the city.