ZWO ASI6200MC Pro USB 3.0 Cooled Color Astronomy Imaging Camera
Manufacturer Part # ZWO ASI6200MC-P
The ZWO ASI6200MC Pro is designed for the astro-photographer that is looking for a high-end camera using a full-frame format sensor.
The new ASI6200MC Pro camera is the color version of the ASI6200MM Pro. It combines an optimal set of characteristics for you to be able to take amazing images. Its huge sensor and full-frame format will let you capture detailed, large images. If you feel that a one-shot-camera is preferred over a monochrome camera (which requires dedicated equipment and exposures using different filters), then this camera is for you. Some of the highlights include:
- Sony IMX455 full-frame format sensor – giving a great field of view
- True 16-bit ADC – giving a high dynamic range of up to 14 stops!
- 62-megapixel sensor with a pixel size of 3.76um – huge sensor and relatively small pixel size to capture amazing detail across a large field-of-view
- A large well depth of4ke- – no need to worry about saturating stars
- Ultra-low readout noise of 1.2 e- – bringing out more details in your images with improved dynamic range
- Zero amp-glow – even during long exposures, which means one thing less to worry about in post-processing
ASI6200MC Pro is our first batch of CMOS astronomy cameras with true 16-bit ADC. It is not a CCD-style 16-bit ADC – it really can achieve a dynamic range output of 14 stops. This significantly improves the image sharpness and contrast, and the contrast gradients are smoother and more natural-looking.
Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves the sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality. It does this by radically realigning the fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination, while still retaining the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.
With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor’s light-sensitive area (photo-diode), impede photon-gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to the optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors. These components have been moved to the back-side of the silicon substrate.
The ASI6200MC Pro has excellent performance with a dynamic range of up to 14 stops that will greatly reduce the issue of overexposed images, and make colour gradients look smoother and more natural-looking.
When the gain value is set to 100, the HCG high gain mode is turned on. We’re not saying it’s magic…but we’d like to think it is pretty close. With the HCG-mode turned on, the readout noise is greatly reduced, and the dynamic range is basically unchanged.
Thanks to the two stage TEC cooling, ASI6200MC Pro can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to more than 35 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even during extended exposure times.
*The Delta T 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature. It might get down when the cooling system is working for a long time. Also, as the ambient temperature falls, the Delta T would also decrease.
The unique dark current suppression technology can further reduce dark current noise. At a cooling temperature of 0 °C, the dark current noise is only 0.003e/s/pixel. This means a 300s exposure will only cause a dark current noise of 0.9e-, which is completely negligible!
This is the one you will need.
The ASI6200MC Pro is equipped with a USB 3.0 transmission interface and a built-in 256MB DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmission. Under long exposure, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces the glow effect caused by slow reading speed.
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 Plus. It is an all-in-one wireless camera solution. The ASIair Plus 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.
Sensor: SONY IMX455CMOS
Diagonal: 43.30mm
Resolution: 62 Mega Pixel 9576*6388
Pixel Size: 3.76μm
Max FPS at full resolution: 3.51FPS
Bayer Pattern: RGGB
Shutter:Rolling shutter
Exposure Range: 32μs-2000s
ROI: Supported
Read Noise: 1.2-3.5e
QE peak: TBD
Full well: 51400e
ADC:16bit
DDRIII Buffer: 256MB(=2Gb)
Non-volatile memory/On camera storage: Build-in total 192K byte user-accessible space(image size up to 480X320)
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Adaptor: M54X0.75
Protect window: D60-2 IR CUT
Dimensions: 90mm Diameter
Weight: 700g
Back Focus Distance: 17.5mm
Cooling: Regulated Two-Stage TEC
Delta T: 30°C-35°C below ambient
Camera Power consumption: 650mA at 5V
Cooler Power consumption: 12V at 3A Max
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Max FPS at full resolution:
16Bit ADC
9576×6388 2.05fps
7680×4800 2.72fps
6400×4096 3.18fps
4096×2160 5.97fps
3840×2160 5.97fps
1920×1080 11.66fps
1280×720 17.10fps
640×480 24.81fps
320×240 45.21fps
Tech Details:
| Normal Num Pixel High | 6388 |
|---|---|
| Normal Num Pixel Wide | 9576 |
| Pixel Array | 62 mega pixels |
| Pixel Size | 3.76 |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Warranty | 2 years |