ZWO ASI294MC Color Astronomy Camera

Exceptional Low Illumination Performance

The combination of a large-size optical system and pixel area expansion to 4.63 µm enables extraordinary low-illumination performance. As a result, the IMX29CJK is the ideal sensor for astronomical imaging applications that necessitate low-illumination performance.

Sony IMX294CJK CMOS Sensor

The first in-house imaging sensor for astronomy cameras to support the Type 4/3 format, the Sony IMX294CJK achieves the pixel number output required for 4K at 120 frame/s (in ADC 10-bit output mode, the ASI294MC can run up to 25 fps at 4K format base on USB3.0 bandwidth). Furthermore, the ASI294MC uses a large-sized pixel to realize SNR1s of 0.14 1x* which is nearly the value of the ASI224 (0.13 1x*).

Additional Highlights

• The ASI294MC features 14-Bit ADC and can achieve a dynamic range of 13 stops, an improvement over even the ASI1600.
• Full well capacity is 63700e, three times the capacity of the ASI1600. Even when exposed for long periods, bright stars won't saturate. The ASI294MC can reach a higher SNR (signal to noise ratio) with one individual exposure.
• A back-illuminated type sensor, the IMX294 has a very high QE estimated to be more than 75%.
• USB 3.0 port supplies 5 gb of bandwidth to make running the ASI294MC at 16 fps (14bit, normal mode) or 19 fps (10bit, high-speed mode) at full 11.7 MP resolution possible.