ASI Deep Space Camera Selection Guide

Many can confirm that deep space imaging is not the easiest of hobbies, but it is the most rewarding! We want to make this hobby as simple as possible for you, to do this, ZWO offers a lot of what you need to get started on your deep space journey!

What You Need (Offered by ZWO)

1. Deep space camera
2. Acquisition software/hardware – ZWO ASIAIR
3. Filter Wheel and Filters (optional)
4. Electronic Focus (optional)
5. Guide scope/Off-Axis Guider
6. Guide Camera

What You Need (Not Offered by ZWO)
1. Telescope or Camera Lens
2. GOTO, Electronic Tracking Equatorial Mount

Choosing a Camera

There are several different factors to consider when choosing a deep space camera:

Choosing a framing/field of view

There are two parts of your imaging rig which influence your field of view, those are; your telescope focal length and the size of the sensor on your camera. You may want a camera with a smaller chip to image small galaxies with and a larger chip will be useful for big nebula. Here is an example of the field of view for four different ZWO cameras in the same telescope.  

Colour or Black and White Camera

Both cameras have their advantages, a colour camera does not take as much time to get a final image and is simpler to use and process. A black and white camera requires filters to separate wavelengths of light to later combine into a colour image. If you are wondering why would you go through the extra effort of a black and white camera, their sensors are more sensitive, meaning the quality of the final image is often better quality. 

Pixel Size

Certain cameras work better with different telescopes. Depending on the focal length of the telescope you may want smaller or larger pixels. Typically, larger pixels work best with longer focal lengths. 

ZWO Deep Space Cameras

ASI071MC PRO

With an APS-C size sensor, this camera has one of the largest fields of view supported by most telescopes. With low amp glow and low noise, this is an excellent camera for long exposures.  

ASI294MC PRO

A great bang for buck, colour deep space camera. With the Sony IMX294 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. This camera is capable of stunning deep space images. 

ASI1600MM PRO

The ASI1600MM PRO has become the most popular black and white deep space camera for a reason. With extremely low noise, this camera can blow anyone’s mind with stunning detail of deep space. 

ASI183MM/MC PRO

The ASI183MM/MC PRO can take your short focal length telescope deeper than ever. With a high-resolution small sensor and ultra-high quantum efficiency both the colour and black and white versions of this camera compete with the big sensors! Not to mention this camera can double up as a planetary/solar camera using ROI. 

ZWO’s PRO series of cooling cameras have the following common features:

1. DDR3 256MB cache

2. USB3.0 high-speed data transmission

3. USB2.0 Hub

4. Double-layer semiconductor constant temperature cooling

5. AR multi-layer anti-reflective coating sealing window