The ZWO ASI294MC Color is a versatile color camera with the Sony IMX294 CMOS sensor – ideal for astrophotography without cooling. Thanks to its high sensitivity, large full well capacity and high resolution, this camera is extremely suitable for both deep-sky objects and the moon and planets.
The ZWO ASI294MC Color is the first astro camera with the Sony IMX294CJK sensor. This back-illuminated sensor delivers razor-sharp images with a quantum efficiency of over 75%. Even without active cooling, you can take beautiful photos of nebulae and galaxies with short exposures and stacking.
Key Features
- Sony IMX294 CMOS sensor (11.3 MP) – 4.63 µm pixels and 23.2 mm diagonal chip
- QE >75% at 530 nm – high sensitivity, ideal for RGB imaging
- High Full Well Capacity (63,700 e⁻) – prevents oversaturation of bright stars
- Read noise from 1.2 e⁻ – low noise performance in HCG mode (gain > 120)
- Frames per second – up to 16 fps at full resolution
- Without active cooling – perfect for quick sessions and mobile use
Applications
✓ Moon & planets – extremely short exposure times, ideal for seeing-sensitive imaging
✓ Deep-sky objects – stacking of short exposures possible without cooling
✓ Video astronomy and live stacking
✓ Beginner to advanced color astrophotography
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX294 CMOS (Color) |
| Resolution | 4144 × 2822 (11.3 MP) |
| Pixel size | 4.63 µm |
| Sensor size | 19.1 × 13.0 mm |
| Diagonal | 23.2 mm |
| Bit depth | 14-bit |
| Full Well Capacity | 63,700 e⁻ |
| Read noise | 1.2 e⁻ |
| FPS | 16 (full resolution) |
| Interfaces | USB 2.0, USB 3.0, ST-4 |
| Cooling | No |
| Telescope connection | 1.25″ T2 |
| Weight | 120 g |
| Dimensions | Ø62 mm × 36 mm |
Additional Info
✓ Comes with AR-clear glass filter (transmission up to IR) – use IR-cut filter if needed
✓ Not suitable for narrowband H-alpha filters due to Bayer matrix
✓ Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux
✓ ROI support available
Please Note
For H-alpha and similar narrowband filters, a monochrome camera is recommended.
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