ZWO ASI6200MC Pro Color Camera
Please note that all cooler cameras need to be connected to an external 11-15v power supply to operate.
ASI6200MC Pro uses the latest Sony IMX455 Full Frame format 16-bit native ADC sensor from Sony. It has 3.76µm, ultra-low read noise of 1.2e and an innovative breakthrough resulting in zero brightness at the amplifier.
The new ASI6200MC Pro camera is the color version of the ASI6200MM Pro. It combines an optimal set of features to enable you to take stunning images. Its huge sensor and full-frame format will allow you to capture large, detailed images. If you think a single-shot camera is preferable to a monochrome camera (which requires dedicated equipment and exposures with different filters), this camera is for you. Some of the highlights include
- Sony IMX455 full-frame sensor, which offers a large field of view
- True 16-bit ADC, providing a high dynamic range of up to 14 steps.
- 62-megapixel sensor with a 3.76um pixel size: a huge sensor and relatively small pixel size to capture incredible detail in a large field of view
- Large de4ke- well depth - no need to worry about star saturation
- Ultra-low read noise of 1.2 e- - bringing more detail to your images with improved dynamic range
- Zero amp brightness - even during long exposures, meaning one less thing to worry about in post-processing
Incredible craftsmanship, lightweight body, solid image quality:
We've worked hard to reduce the weight of the camera while still improving overall performance. After years of technical buildup and repeated mass reduction experiments by the engineers at ZWO, we have finally succeeded in reducing the weight of the ASI6200 to just 700 grams.
Full Frame Format:
The ASI6200MMC Pro uses a full frame format. The length and width of the sensor are 36mm * 24mm respectively, and the diagonal is 43.3mm. It is a 62MP camera with a small pixel size of 3.76um that can accommodate a large well depth of 51.4ke.
Native 16-bit ADC:
The ASI6200MC Pro is our first batch of CMOS astronomy cameras with a true 16-bit ADC. This is not a CCD-style 16-bit ADC, but can actually achieve an output dynamic range of 14 stops. This significantly improves image sharpness and contrast, and contrast gradients are smoother and more natural looking.
IMX455 back-illuminated sensor:
Sony's back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction, the key factors in enhancing image quality. It does this by readjusting the fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination, while maintaining the advantages of CMOS image sensors, such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.
With a conventional front-illuminated structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor's light-sensitive area (photodiode) prevent photon collection by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to optical angular response, while increasing the amount of light entering each pixel due to the absence of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors. These components have been moved to the back side of the silicon substrate.
Camera performance:
The ASI6200MC Pro has excellent performance with a dynamic range of up to 14 stops that will greatly reduce the problem of overexposed images and make color gradients look smoother and more natural.
When the gain value is set to 100, the HCG high gain mode is activated. We're not saying it's magic... but we'd like to think it's pretty close. With HCG mode on, read noise is greatly reduced, and the dynamic range is basically the same.
Zero AmpGlow:
Traditional CMOS sensors produce a faint infrared light source during operation, often seen in the corners of uncalibrated images as telltale signs of "amp glow." Since the ASI6200MC Pro uses a zero-amplifier glare circuit, you won't have to worry about amplifier glare even when using high-gain, long-exposure images.
Anti-fogging
ASI6200MC Pro comes with the polyimide heater that can prevent any fogging problems.
The anti-mildew heater that fully fits the protective window will heat it to avoid any dew problem.
The power of the anti-spray heater is about 5W and it can be turned off in the software to save energy.
Anti-spray heater
QE value:
The maximum QE value of the ASI6200MC Pro is 91%.
Two-stage TEC cooling, ultra-low dark current:
Thanks to the two-stage TEC cooling, the ASI6200MC Pro can reduce 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 long exposure times.
*The Delta T 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature. It could drop when the cooling system operates for a long time. In addition, as the ambient temperature drops, the Delta T would also decrease.
The unique dark current suppression technology can further reduce the dark current noise. At a cooling temperature of 0 °C, the dark current noise is only 0.003e/s/pixel. This means that a 300s exposure will only cause a dark current noise of 0.9e-, which is completely negligible!
Note that the camera needs to be connected to an external 11-15v power supply to implement the cooling function. We recommend that you use a 12V@3A DC adapter (5.5*2.1mm, center positive pole) or an 11-15V lithium battery to power the camera. If you don't have one, please click here to purchase a 12V power adapter. There are 4 different standards for different countries, please make sure to select the correct adapter when ordering.
USB3.0 and 256M DDR3 memory:
The ASI6200MC Pro is equipped with USB 3.0 transmission interface and built-in 256MB DDR3 memory to ensure stable and secure data transmission. Under long exposure, it effectively avoids frame drop and greatly reduces the glare effect caused by slow readout speed.
Technical details of the camera
- Sensor: SONY IMX455CMOS
- Diagonal: 43.30mm
- Resolution: 62 megapixels 9576*6388
- Pixel size: 3.76μm
- Maximum FPS at full resolution: 3.51FPS
- Bayer pattern: RGGB
- Shutter:Rolling shutter
- Exposure range: 32μs-2000s
- ROI: Supported
- Read noise: 1.2-3.5e
- Peak QE: TBD
- Full well: 51400e
- ADC: 16 bits
- DDRIII buffer: 256MB(=2Gb)
- Non-volatile memory/camera storage: 192K bytes user space (image size up to 480X320)
- Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
- Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
- Adapter: M54X0.75
- Protection window: D60-2 IR CUT
- Dimensions: 90mm diameter
- Weight: 700g
- Rear focusing distance: 17.5mm
- Cooling: Two-stage regulated TEC
- Delta T: 35°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%.
- Maximum FPS at maximum resolution:
- 16Bit ADC
- 9576×6388 2.05fps
- 7680×4800 2.72fps
- 6400×4096 3.18fps
- 4096×2160 5.97fps
- 3840×2160 5.97 fps
- 1920×1080 11.66 fps
- 1280×720 17.10 fps
- 640×480 24.81 fps
- 320×240 45.21fps
There are more resolutions in the software, which supports resolution customization.
Camera ZWO ASI6200MC Pro Color
