The ZWO ASI533MM-Pro cooled monochrome astronomical camera uses Sony’s CMOS IMX533 1″-format sensor with a square aspect ratio. With a resolution of 9.0 megapixels, this camera’s huge pixels provide a good signal-to-noise ratio while capturing deep-sky objects. It’s also great for quick, high-resolution lunar, solar, and planetary imaging. A tiny telescope with a focal length of 400mm, for example, provides a 1.6 degree square field of view when used with this camera. A telescope with a focal length of 1500mm produces a field of 0.43 degrees square.
ZWO designed the ASI533MM-Pro camera around Sony’s IMX533 9-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 16mm diagonal (11.31mmx11.31mm) and a 3008×3008 pixel array. Each pixel has a 3.76 micron edge. The sensor’s square format is suitable for framing many symmetric deep-sky objects, including globular and open clusters, planetary nebulae, and numerous emission nebulae.
Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction, two critical variables in improving image quality, while fundamentally realigning their pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It maintains the advantages of CMOS image sensors, such as low power consumption and fast operation.
In a normal front-illumination configuration, the metal wire and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that compose the sensor’s light-sensitive area (photo-diode) obstruct photon collection by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure allows more light to penetrate each pixel since there are less impediments, such as metal wiring and transistors, which have been shifted to the reverse of the silicon substrate.The pixels have a 50000e-well capacity, allowing you to take crisp photos of brilliant stars without saturation. This back-illuminated sensor has an estimated QE of 91%. Read noise is as low as 1.0 e.
Traditional CMOS sensors emit a weak infrared light source during operation, which can be observed in the corner of uncalibrated photos as the telltale evidence of ‘amp glow’. The ASI533MM-Pro has zero amp glow technology, so you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high strength, long exposure imaging.
The camera’s ‘Pro’ name stems from its integrated 256MB DDR3 buffer, which allows for rapid and steady data transfer while reducing amp glow. The USB3.0 interface has a 14-bit ADC that allows for a rapid 20 fps capture rate at full quality.
The two-stage TEC cooling system reduces the sensor temperature to 35oC below ambient to minimize sensor noise, even on warm nights. The TEC generates heat to prevent dew from forming on the camera’s front window. The camera’s TEC cooler requires 12V @ 3A from an external power supply (not included). If the camera is powered via a USB2.0 host, an extra 12V power supply is also required.
The ASI533MM-Pro camera has a dynamic range of 8 to nearly 14 stops, depending on the gain setting. With a camera gain of 100, you get 13 stops of dynamic range and a read noise of only 1.5e. At greater gain, read noise can be as low as 1.0e, making this an excellent choice for electronically-assisted astronomy.
Except for the cooler, the USB3.0 port provides complete power to the camera’s components. The TEC cooler requires 12V@3A from an external power supply (not included).
The ASI533MM-Pro includes a USB2.0 hub to power accessories like a guide camera and automated focuser.
The camera has a diameter of 78mm and weighs 470 g (16.8 lb). It includes a cushioned carrying case, M42-M48 adapter, M42 21mm extender, and T2-M48 16.5mm extender, a 2″ cover, USB3.0 and USB2.0 cables, and a quick-start instructions.
1.25-inch nosepiece
2″ nosepiece (consists of two or three supplied adapters)
Female T/T2 thread (M42x0.75)
Male T/T2 Thread (M42x0.75)
Female M28.5×0.6 thread with 1.25″ nosepiece.
ZWO has discontinued software CDs, but the camera comes with instructions for downloading the necessary control software and drivers directly from the ZWO website.
The ASI533MM-Pro has SONY’s latest back lit IMX533 sensor, with a 1-inch square, 9.07MP sensor that is suitable for astronomical photography and can be regarded the most recent generation of the venerable ASI183MM-Pro.
As you would expect, this latest generation camera not only retains key ASI183 series features such as an attractive QE figure, high frame rate, and other excellent characteristics, but it also includes new and improved features such as zero amp glow, extreme low read out noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 micron pixel size, and an improved 2-stage TEC cooler for enhanced cooling capabilities.
Sensor: Sony IMX533CLK-D.
Diagonal: 15.968 mm
Resolution: 9 Mega Pixel (3008*3008) Size: 3.76 μm.
Maximum frame rate at full resolution: 20fps.
Rolling shutter with exposure range of 32μs to 2000s.
ROI: supported.
Read noise ranges from 1.0 to 3.8e, with a QE high of 91%.
Full well: 50,000e.
ADC: 14bit Interface: USB 3.0 Type-B.
Adapter: M42X0.75.
Protect the window: D32-2-AR.
Dimensions: 78mm diameter.
Weight: 470 grams.
Back Focus Distance: 17.5 mm.
Delta Temperature range: 30°C-35°C below ambient. Camera power consumption is 650mA at 5V.
Cooler Power consumption: 12 V at 3 A. Maximum working temperature: -5°C to 50°C.
Storage Temperature: -10°C to 60°C
Working Relative humidity: 0% to 80%.
Storage Relative Humidity: 20-95%
