ZWO ASI585MM Pro Monochrome Astronomy Camera
Cooled. Clean. Monochrome Mastery.
For astrophotographers ready to level up from color capture or entry-level sensors, the ZWO ASI585MM Pro delivers serious performance in a cooled, zero amp glow package. With a modern back-illuminated Sony sensor, whisper-quiet cooling, and full-frame download speeds of nearly 50 fps, this camera is a rare blend of deep-sky finesse and high-speed planetary potential.
At its core is the Sony IMX585 monochrome CMOS chip—an upgrade to the beloved IMX485, now refined with even greater low-light sensitivity and cleaner signal thanks to STARVIS 2 technology. With an 8.3-megapixel resolution and 2.9-micron pixels, the ASI585MM Pro pulls fine details from galaxies, nebulae, and lunar landscapes with equal clarity. The 1/1.2" sensor size offers a generous field of view—noticeably wider than typical planetary cameras—giving you breathing room for framing and cropping flexibility.
And then there’s the silence. Not literal silence, but the kind that comes from a clean signal—no amp glow. None. Zero. No more corner artifacts to process out of your long-exposure stacks. Combined with the camera’s high full well depth of 40,000 electrons and a read noise floor as low as 0.7 electrons, you get smooth, dynamic data that stretches beautifully without blotchy gradients or crushed blacks.
Long exposure shooters will appreciate the two-stage thermoelectric cooling system, which drops the sensor temperature over 35°C below ambient to suppress thermal noise. That’s a game-changer on warm summer nights or during multi-hour integrations with narrowband filters. A built-in dew heater around the AR-coated protective window helps keep frost and fog at bay when the temperature drops.
This camera is also a speed demon. With USB 3.0 and an integrated 512MB DDR3 memory buffer, the ASI585MM Pro can deliver full-resolution video at up to 47 frames per second. That’s fast enough to freeze the fleeting moments of sharp seeing during lunar and planetary imaging—and fast enough to try your hand at lucky imaging on brighter deep-sky objects too.
Power, Ports & Spacing
On the back of the ASI585MM Pro, you’ll find one USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports. The USB 3.0 port provides high-speed data transfer with a bandwidth of 5Gbps, ensuring smooth, stable communication with your imaging software. The two USB 2.0 ports act as a powered hub for accessories like an electronic focuser or autoguider—keeping your cable clutter tidy and centralized.
ZWO includes a USB 3.0 cable for your main data connection, along with two USB 2.0 cables to get your accessories up and running. To activate the cooling system, you’ll need a 12V DC power supply with a 5.5 x 2.1mm center-positive barrel connector. (ZWO’s standard configuration does not include this cable, but it is widely available—and we recommend a regulated 12V 5A adapter for reliable performance.)
Worried about backfocus? ZWO makes it easy. The ASI585MM Pro comes with the necessary adapters and spacers to achieve the standard 55mm of backfocus from the sensor to your imaging train—a must for proper spacing with field flatteners, reducers, or filter drawers. The included mechanical parts also make it simple to integrate other ZWO accessories like their OAG or 1.25"/2" filter drawers.
It’s a modular, camera-first approach to system building—and it works.
Key Features
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Sony IMX585 Monochrome Sensor
1/1.2" back-illuminated CMOS chip with STARVIS 2 architecture, optimized for high sensitivity and low noise.
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High Resolution
8.29 megapixels (3840 x 2160) with 2.9µm pixel size—ideal for short focal lengths and fine planetary detail.
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Zero Amp Glow
Clean dark frames, even during multi-minute exposures. No need to battle corner artifacts in post-processing.
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Deep Full Well Depth
Holds up to 40,000 electrons per pixel, preserving bright stars and nebulosity without clipping highlights.
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Extremely Low Read Noise
Down to 0.7e– at high gain, allowing short exposures or video work with minimal background noise.
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Regulated Cooling
Two-stage TEC (thermoelectric cooling) drops sensor temperature over 35°C below ambient.
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Fast Frame Rate
Up to 47 frames per second at full resolution via USB 3.0. Ideal for planetary and lunar imaging.
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512MB DDR3 Memory Buffer
Ensures fast, reliable downloads—even during high-speed video capture or large frame downloads.
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Integrated USB 2.0 Hub
Lets you power and control two accessories directly from the camera—less clutter, more convenience.
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Built-in Dew Heater
Gentle warmth around the sensor window prevents fogging in high humidity conditions.
Observing Tip
The ASI585MM Pro’s high sensitivity and low read noise make it a fantastic camera for dual-purpose imaging. You can start your evening with high-speed planetary work—capturing Jupiter, Saturn, or lunar detail—then transition to deep sky once the targets rise. With regulated cooling and clean mono signal, you’ll get serious data on both ends of the spectrum.
Final Thoughts
The ZWO ASI585MM Pro is the kind of camera that adapts to you. Whether you’re imaging galaxies at f/5 or catching surface detail on the Moon at f/15, it delivers crisp, noise-free results with minimal fuss. Add a filter wheel and a set of quality filters, and you’re not just imaging—you’re mastering the light.
