ZWO 294MC CAMERA

By popular demand, we now introduce the ASI294MM, the monochrome version of the ASI294MC. Some of the highlights include:

• Back-illuminated sensor – improving sensitivity and reducing noise.
• 4/3” format with 4.64 um pixel size – ideal for many types of telescopes.
• 14-bit ADC – giving high dynamic range.
• An impressive 66ke- full well capacity.
• 4144*2822 high resolution – with the Bin1 mode the camera can operate at a resolution of 8288*5644 and pixel size of 2.3 um.

On top of this, not only does it have a very high QE value with a peak at about 90%, but also feature an ultra-low readout noise of 1.2e. If you are looking for a small-format monochrome camera for planetary imaging, you can’t go wrong with the ASI294MM.

Sensor length*width: 19.1*13.0mm. Diagonal: 23mm.

ASI294MC

ASI294 is the first camera in the world that equiped with SONY latest sensor IMX294CJK.

▶IMX294CJK

Diagonal 21.63 mm (Type 4/3) Approx. 10.71M-Effective Pixel Color CMOS Image Sensor, This is the official description on Sony website. In our effort, we remolded it to make it Diagonal 23.2 mm (Type 4/3) Approx. 11.71M-Effective Pixel.

▶High-Sensitivity Type 4/3 CMOS Image Sensor that Supports 4K for Astronomic Cameras and Industrial Applications

The “IMX294CJK” is the first in-house image sensor for astronomic cameras to adopt the Type 4/3 format, and realizes output of the number of pixels needed for 4K at 120 frame/s (in ADC 10-bit output mode, ASI294MC can run up to 25fps at 4k format base on USB3.0 bandwidth). In addition, use of a large-size pixel achieves SNR1s of 0.14 lx* which is very close to the value of ASI224(0.13 lx*).

▶Exceptional low-illumination performance

Exceptional low-illumination performance of SNR1s: 0.14 lx is realized by use of a large-size optical system and by expanding the area per pixel to 4.63 µm. This makes the IMX294CJK ideal sensor for astronomic camera market applications which requires low-illumination performance.

14bit ADC & 13 stops DR

ASI294 have 14bit ADC and it can achieve 13 stops dynamic range which is even better than ASI1600

HCG Mode

HCG mode will be on when gain is higher than 120(12db), read noise will drop below 2e but same dynamic range(13 stops).

Full well Capacity

63700e full well, which is 3 times than ASI1600’s capacity. Even bright stars won’t saturate under long exposure.

This camera can achieve higher SNR(signal to noise ratio) with just one single exposure

QE Value

IMX294 sensor is a BSI(back-illuminated type) sensor and has very high QE(we suppose the QE peak is more than 75%).

USB 3.0 Port & ST4 Port

USB 3.0 Port: Provide 5Gb bandwidth to make it possible for  ASI294MC to run at 16 fps (14bit, normal mode) or 19 fps (12bit, high-speed mode)  at full resolution(11.7Mega).

ST4 Port: Can be used to connect with auto guide port of mount, for guiding.

Mechanical Diagram

What’s in the box?