Astrophotography has come a long way, and the ZWO ASI533MC Pro stands as a testament to the latest advancements in imaging technology. Designed for deep-sky enthusiasts and planetary imagers alike, this one-shot color (OSC) camera delivers outstanding detail, ultra-low noise, and deep cooling in a sleek, compact package. Whether you're upgrading from a DSLR or looking for a dedicated astronomy camera that simplifies imaging without sacrificing quality, the ASI533MC Pro is a perfect choice.
This camera is built around the Sony IMX533 back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a modern imaging chip designed to maximize light-gathering efficiency while keeping noise to a minimum. It features a nine-megapixel resolution with a square, one-inch format that pairs beautifully with a wide range of telescopes. Unlike many older sensors, the IMX533 is completely free of amp glow, ensuring clean, high-contrast images even during long exposures.
A High-Performance Sensor with Zero Amp Glow
One of the most significant advantages of the ASI533MC Pro is the Sony IMX533 sensor, a back-illuminated CMOS chip that delivers exceptional performance across a wide range of imaging conditions. It offers a resolution of 3008 by 3008 pixels, providing a total of 9.07 megapixels. The pixel size is 3.76 microns, striking an ideal balance between resolution and sensitivity.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of this sensor is its zero amp glow technology. Amp glow has long been a challenge for astrophotographers using CMOS sensors, producing unwanted brightening along the edges of long-exposure images. With the ASI533MC Pro, this issue is entirely eliminated, allowing for cleaner, more accurate deep-sky images without the need for aggressive post-processing corrections.
The sensor’s high quantum efficiency ensures that it collects a significant amount of light with minimal signal loss. This results in a strong signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for detailed captures of nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, even under light-polluted skies.
Ultra-Low Read Noise and High Dynamic Range
Noise can make or break an astrophoto, and the ASI533MC Pro is designed to keep noise to an absolute minimum. The camera features an exceptionally low read noise, starting at just 1.0 electron when using higher gain settings. Lower read noise means a cleaner signal, which is especially important for stacking multiple exposures to reveal fine details in deep-sky targets.
With a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the ASI533MC Pro provides a wide dynamic range, allowing it to capture both the brightest highlights and the faintest details in a single exposure. This is particularly useful when imaging high-contrast objects like bright nebulae with faint outer extensions or galaxies with dense cores and delicate spiral arms.
Deep Cooling for Long-Exposure Imaging
Astrophotography often requires long exposure times, which can lead to thermal noise buildup in uncooled cameras. The ASI533MC Pro combats this with a two-stage TEC (thermoelectric) cooling system capable of reducing the sensor temperature by 35 to 40 degrees Celsius below ambient conditions. This level of cooling significantly reduces dark current noise, allowing for much cleaner images during long integrations.
For those planning all-night imaging sessions, the deep cooling capability of this camera ensures that thermal noise remains controlled throughout the night. The camera also includes an anti-dew heater built into the front of the sensor window to prevent condensation from forming on humid nights.
Fast and Reliable Data Transfer
Capturing high-resolution astro images requires an efficient data pipeline, and the ASI533MC Pro delivers with its high-speed USB 3.0 connectivity. This allows for rapid data transfer, making live focusing, plate solving, and image acquisition a seamless experience.
A built-in 512MB DDR3 memory buffer ensures smooth data transmission by preventing frame drops and reducing USB latency. This feature is particularly important for ensuring a stable connection when capturing large image files during extended imaging sessions.
Square Sensor Format – An Ideal Match for Many Telescopes
Unlike traditional rectangular sensors, the ASI533MC Pro features a square, one-inch format that offers a unique advantage when framing targets. This shape is highly versatile and works well with a variety of telescopes, including fast refractors, Newtonians, and long focal length catadioptrics.
The square format helps maximize the usable field of view without excessive cropping, making it easier to frame deep-sky objects exactly as desired. Whether capturing the structured dust lanes of a galaxy or the sprawling tendrils of a nebula, the sensor format ensures that astrophotographers can make the most of every pixel.
Versatile for Both Deep-Sky and Planetary Imaging
Although primarily designed for deep-sky imaging, the ASI533MC Pro is more than capable of handling planetary photography as well. Its fast frame rates and low read noise allow for detailed captures of solar system objects, including Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. When paired with a high-speed filter wheel, it can even be used for capturing high-resolution lunar and solar images with excellent clarity.
The camera’s wide dynamic range and low-noise performance also make it an excellent choice for electronically assisted astronomy (EAA), where live stacking and real-time imaging can reveal deep-sky objects in impressive detail without the need for post-processing.
Features at a Glance
- Nine-megapixel resolution with a 3008 x 3008 pixel array
- Back-illuminated Sony IMX533 CMOS sensor with high quantum efficiency
- Zero amp glow technology for clean, artifact-free images
- 3.76-micron pixel size, offering a balance between resolution and sensitivity
- Ultra-low read noise, starting as low as 1.0 electron for clean signal capture
- 14-bit ADC for high dynamic range and excellent contrast
- Two-stage TEC cooling, capable of reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius below ambient
- 512MB DDR3 memory buffer for smooth data transfer and reduced frame drops
- USB 3.0 high-speed connectivity for efficient imaging sessions
- One-inch square format sensor for optimal framing of deep-sky objects
- Integrated anti-dew heater to prevent condensation buildup
Who Should Consider the ZWO ASI533MC Pro?
The ASI533MC Pro is an excellent choice for astrophotographers who want a modern, cooled one-shot color camera with superior noise performance and an easy workflow. It is particularly well-suited for those transitioning from DSLR or uncooled cameras, offering a significant upgrade in image quality without a steep learning curve.
For experienced imagers, this camera provides a highly efficient, low-noise solution for capturing nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. Its zero amp glow sensor, deep cooling, and square format make it a highly versatile tool for both deep-sky and planetary imaging.
Whether you're planning to explore the intricate details of emission nebulae, reveal the spiral arms of distant galaxies, or capture breathtaking planetary views, the ZWO ASI533MC Pro is a camera that delivers outstanding results across a wide range of astrophotography applications.
The cooler requires an external power supply, which is not included with the camera. This is the one you will need.
We recommend using a 12V/3-5A or more DC adapter for cooler power supply (2.1×5.5, center positive).
Using a battery with 11-15V is also suitable for the cooler power supply.
ZWO has all their information available for download on their website in a perfectly laid out section. Check it out here for software and drivers and here for manuals and guides.
One of the coolest gadgets, and a neccessity according to a majority of ZWO users, is the ASIair Pro. It is an all-in-one wireless camera solution. The ASIair pro gives you control of focus, image taking, plate solving, and computerized mount control with the included SkySafari bridge all controlled by your smartdevice or tablet. It really is pretty awesome.
