Camera ZWO ASI2600MC-AIR COLOR

ZWO ASI2600MC Air Color Camera

The fantastic new camera from ZWO, model ASI2600MC Air Color cooled is a One Shot camera with a USB 3.0 port and built-in ASIAIR device. Its 16 stops dynamic range can reach a depth comparable to CCD cameras, but with a much higher sensitivity. It incorporates a large, state-of-the-art back-illuminated APS-C sensor, one of Sony's most light-sensitive CMOS sensors.

The camera ZWO ASI 2600 MC Air Color has the necessary connections to use a complete equipment, saving on USB ports and power inputs.

Camera well suited for all astronomical applications, but especially for deep sky astrophotography. High performance even in low light. It is also suitable for lunar and planetary imaging as its exposure times are extremely short due to its high sensitivity.

With it ZWO outperforms thanks to a Sony IMX 571 color sensor in APS-C format with extremely high sensitivity and a 16-bit dynamic range that achieves much higher performances than 12-bit sensors, whatever the exposure time.

It has a resolution of 6248x4176 and 26 Mpx.

Its 256GB buffer increases the speed of sensor reading and image downloading.

Unlike its predecessor the ASI 071 MC-Pro, the new ASI 2600 MC-Pro has a back-illuminated sensor (BSI) that allows it to reach a quantum efficiency of 80% providing a new level of grayscales, previously unimaginable.

Equipped with USB 3.0 port, it facilitates high download speed and prevents data loss during download. It also has two USB 2.0 ports that can be used, for example, to connect a guidance camera.

With exceptional sensitivity, high quantum efficiency and low Ampglow thanks to BACK ILLUMINATION technology, this camera offers outstanding performance.

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation, which produces "amplification glow" in the images. The new sensor in the ASI 2600-MC PRO uses the Zero AmpGlow system that eliminates amplifier glow even at high gain and long exposure.

Sony has developed, for this sensor, a lens optimized by a new backlight system that provides higher sensitivity and lower read noise compared to the conventional front illumination system of previous sensors. With a conventional front illumination structure, a light-sensitive area (photodiode) is formed on the sensor that prevents photon collection through the lens. However, the back-illuminated structure reduces sensitivity degradation and increases the amount of light reaching each pixel by moving the wiring and transmitters to the back of the sensor's silicon board.

DDR3 buffer for stable data transfer even with USB 2.0: minimizes amplifier overhead.

The camera features an enhanced 2-stage TEC cooling system that can reduce the temperature of the CMOS sensor up to 40° below ambient temperature, reducing sensor noise even with long exposure times (cooling system requires external power supply)

Its high resolution of 26 Mp of 3.76 microns makes it ideal for fast (low focal ratio) and accurate telescopes such as Apos, HyperStar, Newton telescopes, etc.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Model: ZWO ASI2600MC Air Cooled
• Type: Color
• Resolution: 6248 x 4176 pixels, 26 Mpx
• Pixel Size: 3.76 µm
• Sensor: Sony IMX571 back-illuminated CMOS
• Sensor dimensions: 23.5 mm x 15.7 mm
• Dynamic range: 16-bit (65536 brightness levels per pixel)
• Read noise: 1.0e - 3.3e
• Speed: 20 fps
• Cooling system: active by Peltier effect + fan
• Quantum efficiency > 80%
• Exposure range: 32us - 2000s
• 3 12 V jack connections
• 4 USB 2.0
• 1 USB-C
• Wifi antenna
• Dimensions: 73.5 mm in length x 78 mm in diameter