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ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera
ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera
ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera
ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera
ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera

ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI676MM
CA$559.00 - CA$559.00
CA$559.00
CA$559.00 - CA$559.00
CA$559.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Sony IMX676 1/1.6" Monochrome CMOS Sensor
  • 15.2 Megapixels (5520 x 2760)
  • 2.0µm Pixel Size
  • Global Shutter for Distortion-Free Imaging
  • STARVIS 2 Technology for Low Noise
  • 12-bit ADC with 4096 Grayscale Levels
  • Zero Amp Glow
  • USB 3.0 High-Speed Interface
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Software
  • Warranty

  • Freeze the Sky in Perfect Detail — The ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera

    The ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera is a specialized planetary, lunar, and solar imaging camera built to resolve the core problem of atmospheric distortion. By combining a modern global shutter sensor with small, high-sensitivity pixels, it delivers exceptionally sharp, high-resolution monochrome frames that are free from the motion artifacts that can compromise detailed surface imaging.

    This camera is the right choice for observers who prioritize capturing the finest possible details on the Moon's terminator, the Sun's photosphere, or Jupiter's cloud bands. Its design choices center on delivering clean, artifact-free data directly from the telescope, reducing the processing burden and revealing details that rolling shutter cameras often obscure in moments of unsteady seeing.

    ZWO ASI676MM Mono Camera with sensor visible

    The IMX676 Global Shutter Sensor

    At the heart of the ASI676MM is Sony's IMX676 monochrome sensor, a chip defined by its global shutter. Unlike a rolling shutter that reads the sensor line-by-line, a global shutter exposes every one of the 15.2 million pixels at the exact same instant. This completely eliminates the "jello effect" and warping caused by atmospheric turbulence, ensuring lunar craters and planetary features remain geometrically perfect, even when capturing hundreds of frames per second.

    High-Resolution 2.0µm Pixels

    The sensor's small 2.0µm pixels are engineered for high-resolution sampling. When paired with a telescope operating at its optimal focal ratio (typically f/10-f/14 for planetary work via a Barlow lens), these pixels can resolve incredibly fine surface detail. This allows you to capture delicate structures within sunspot penumbrae, subtle rilles on the lunar surface, and small atmospheric storms on Jupiter and Saturn with exceptional clarity.

    Diagram showing the light path in a STARVIS 2 sensor

    STARVIS 2 for High Sensitivity

    The ASI676MM incorporates Sony's STARVIS 2 back-illuminated technology, which significantly improves quantum efficiency and lowers read noise. For the planetary imager, this means you can use shorter exposure times and lower gain settings to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. The practical result is smoother, less noisy video files (SERs) that respond better to sharpening during processing, revealing more subtle contrast variations.

    Clean Data with No Amp Glow

    ZWO has engineered the ASI676MM with circuitry that produces zero amplifier glow. This common artifact, which appears as a faint glow on the edge of long-exposure frames, is completely absent. This simplifies your calibration workflow by making dark frames less critical for removing sensor-generated patterns, leading to cleaner, more uniform backgrounds straight from the camera.

    Quantum Efficiency curve for the ZWO ASI676MM sensor

    12-bit ADC and Dynamic Range

    The camera's 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) captures 4096 distinct grayscale levels. This wide dynamic range is crucial for targets with both very bright and very dark regions, like the lunar terminator. It allows you to capture the bright crater rims and the dimly lit crater floors in the same exposure without clipping highlights or crushing shadows, preserving the full tonal range of the scene.

    High-Speed USB 3.0 Interface

    To leverage the sensor's capabilities, a high-speed data connection is essential. The USB 3.0 port provides the bandwidth needed to stream full-resolution 15.2MP frames at up to 59 frames per second. This "lucky imaging" technique allows you to capture thousands of frames in a short period, increasing your chances of catching moments of perfect atmospheric stability to stack into a single, sharp final image.

    Mechanical drawing of the ZWO ASI676MM camera

    Passive Cooling for Noise Reduction

    While not actively cooled, the ASI676MM features a passive thermal management system. A high-conductivity thermal pad transfers heat directly from the back of the sensor to the camera's metal body, which acts as a heat sink. This is especially effective during prolonged solar imaging sessions, where the camera is exposed to direct sunlight, helping to keep thermal noise low and consistent.

    Imaging the Clavius Crater Chain

    On a night of good seeing, with the ASI676MM attached to an 8-inch SCT and a 1.5x Barlow, point to the crater Clavius near the Moon's southern limb. As you watch the live feed, the global shutter renders the shimmering atmospheric distortion as a uniform blur rather than a wobbly wave. Capturing a 90-second video at over 50 frames per second, you are banking thousands of chances to beat the seeing.

    When you stack the best 10% of these frames in software, the result is transformed. The tiny craterlets dotting the floor of Clavius, from the main arc down to the smallest visible pits, snap into focus. The 12-bit dynamic range ensures the bright western wall of the crater and the deep shadows to the east are both rich with detail, creating a sharp, three-dimensional view that feels immediate and real.

  • What is the main advantage of the ASI676MM's global shutter?

    The global shutter exposes the entire sensor at once, which eliminates the distortion and "jello" effect caused by atmospheric turbulence. This is a significant advantage for lunar, solar, and planetary imaging, resulting in geometrically accurate frames.

    Is the ASI676MM suitable for deep-sky imaging?

    While it can be used for very bright deep-sky objects, the ASI676MM is not ideal for long-exposure astrophotography. It lacks active cooling, and its primary design is for high-speed "lucky imaging" of bright solar system targets, not faint nebulae or galaxies.

    How does the ASI676MM compare to the ASI174MM?

    Both are excellent global shutter monochrome cameras. The ASI676MM offers a much higher resolution (15.2MP vs 2.3MP) and smaller pixels (2.0µm vs 5.86µm), making it better for high-resolution work with longer focal lengths. The ASI174MM has a larger sensor and much larger pixels, making it more forgiving with shorter focal length scopes and a popular choice for full-disc solar mosaics.

    Do I need filters with a monochrome camera like the ASI676MM?

    Yes, to get the most out of it. For planetary imaging, a monochrome camera allows you to use RGB filters to create a full-color image or an IR-pass filter to cut through atmospheric haze. For solar imaging, you must use it with a dedicated and safe solar telescope or filter.

    Will the 2.0µm pixels be too small for my telescope?

    The optimal focal ratio for 2.0µm pixels is around f/10 to f/14, depending on seeing conditions. Many telescopes like SCTs or Maksutovs work in this range natively or with a Barlow lens. For faster telescopes, a 2x or 3x Barlow is often required to achieve the correct image scale for high-resolution planetary imaging.

  • Sensor 1/1.6" CMOS Sony IMX676LLJ-C
    Resolution 15.2MP (5520 x 2760)
    Pixel Size 2.0µm
    Shutter Type Global Shutter
    ADC 12-bit
    Full Well Capacity 12.7ke-
    Read Noise 1.2-3.4e-
    Max FPS (Full Res) 59 FPS
    Interface USB 3.0 Type-B
    Back Focus 12.5mm
    Protective Window AR Coated
    Dimensions φ62mm x 28mm
    Weight 126g
    • ASI676MC - In The Box

      Cover

      × 1

    • ASI676MC - In The Box

      Quick Guide

      × 1

    • ASI676MC - In The Box

      USB 3.0 Cable (2m)

      × 1

    • ASI676MC - In The Box

      ST4 Cable

      × 1

    • ASI676MC - In The Box

      1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

  • ZWO 2-Year Warranty