ZWO ASI533MC Pro Color Cooled Camera
The ZWO ASI533MC Pro Color features SONY’s latest back illuminated IMX533 sensor, with a 1-inch square, 9.07MP sensor that is ideal for astronomical photography needs and can be considered as the latest iteration of the venerable ASI183MC Pro.
As you would expect this latest generation camera not only retains key features of the ASI183 series such as an attractive QE figure, high frame rate and along with other excellent characteristics of the ASI183 cameras, but also now includes new and improved features such as zero amp glow, extreme low read out noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 microns pixel size and an improved 2 stage TEC cooler giving enhanced cooling capabilities.
1″ Square Sensor
The ZWO ASI533MC Pro Color uses the Sony IMX533 is a 1-inch, 9MP CMOS image sensor in a square format with a 3.76 um pixel size, capable of producing frames at 20 frames/sec in 14bit mode.
Read out noise is as low as 1.0e which makes it comparable to SCMOS or EMCCD sensors and highly suitable for high definition, low noise imaging.
IMX533 backlit sensor
ony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained 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 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 that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.
Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.
Camera Performance
Low read-out noise, high dynamic range.
Zero Amp Glow
Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell tale signs of ‘amp glow’. As the ASI533MC PRO uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.
Dark Current
USB3.0 & 256M DDR3 Memory
The ASI533MC PRO is equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, and even in 14bit mode, can reach 20 frames per second. The 256MB DDR3 memory ensures stable downloading of frames with increased USB speeds.
Connecting Lens Diagram
- Nikon-T2 adapter
- EOS-T2 adapter
- 2” filter (optional)
- Nikon lens
- Canon lens
Technical Specifications
| Sensor Name |
Sony IMX533 Back-Illuminated Sensor |
| Sensor Size |
15.968mm |
| Resolution |
3008 x 3008 |
| Pixel Size |
3.76μm |
| Full Well |
50ke |
| Read Noise |
1.0e-3.8e |
| QE Peak |
80% |
| ADC |
14bit |
| Back Focus Distance |
6.5mm / 17.5mm |
| Max FPS |
20 FPS |
In the Box
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Camera
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1.25″ T-Mount
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2m USB3.0 Cable
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2x 0.5m USB2.0 Cable
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T2-M48 16.5mm Adapter
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T2 21mm Adapter
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M48-M42 Adapter
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T2-1.25″ Filter adapter
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3x Spacers
Manuals & Warranty
ZWO 2-Years Warranty
ZWO General Product & Software Manuals
ZWO ASI533 Manual
ZWO ASI Color Cameras Back Focus Solution
ZWO ASI533 Mechanical Drawing
