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July 1st: Store will be closed for Canada Day. Orders placed that day will ship on July 2nd.
ZWO ASI676MC Color

ZWO ASI676MC Color

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI676MC
$349.00 - $349.00
$349.00
$349.00 - $349.00
$349.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 12.6 Megapixel 3552 x 3552 Square Sensor
  • 2.0µm Pixel Size
  • 83% Peak Quantum Efficiency
  • Zero Amplifier Glow Circuitry
  • 256MB DDR3 Internal Buffer
4 in stock
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO ASI676MC Color Astronomy Camera

    The ZWO ASI676MC combines a high-resolution 12.6 MP Sony IMX676 sensor with small 2µm pixels, resolving fine detail on planetary surfaces and small deep-sky targets. Its perfectly square 3552 x 3552 pixel array simplifies mosaic construction, while the 83% peak QE and back-illuminated structure capture faint signal efficiently. With a maximum frame rate of 31.2 FPS at full resolution and a 256MB DDR3 buffer, you can capture sharp frames during moments of steady seeing without dropping data.

    Square 12.6 MP Sensor for Seamless Mosaics

    The ASI676MC's defining feature is its 1/1.6" format, 3552 x 3552 square CMOS sensor. This format eliminates the need for rotating the camera between mosaic panels, streamlining the capture of large targets like the lunar surface or sprawling solar active regions. The 12.6 megapixel resolution gives you the image scale to create vast, high-definition composites without sacrificing detail.

    2µm Pixels & 83% QE for High-Resolution Detail

    With a pixel size of just 2µm, the ASI676MC is built for high-resolution imaging on long focal length instruments like Schmidt-Cassegrains and Maksutovs. The back-illuminated Sony sensor achieves a peak Quantum Efficiency of 83%, ensuring that a high percentage of incoming photons are converted to signal. This sensitivity is critical for reducing exposure times on planets, which helps freeze atmospheric turbulence.

    Zero Amp Glow & 256MB DDR3 Buffer

    ZWO engineered the ASI676MC with circuitry that completely eliminates amplifier glow, a common source of noise in CMOS sensors that typically requires dark frame subtraction. This results in cleaner raw data and a more streamlined processing workflow. The onboard 256MB DDR3 buffer ensures stable, high-speed data transfer over USB 3.0, preventing dropped frames during critical planetary video captures.

    ZWO ASI676MC vs. ASI178MC

    The ASI676MC represents a significant evolution from its popular predecessor, the ASI178MC, primarily for planetary and lunar imagers.

    • Sensor Format: The ASI178MC uses a rectangular 6.4 MP sensor, while the ASI676MC's 12.6 MP square sensor offers double the resolution and is purpose-built for mosaics without camera rotation.
    • Pixel Size: The ASI676MC's smaller 2.0µm pixels provide higher resolution sampling compared to the 2.4µm pixels of the ASI178MC, allowing you to resolve finer detail at the same focal length.
    • Amp Glow: The ASI178MC can exhibit minor amp glow on longer exposures, a problem completely eliminated by the hardware design of the ASI676MC.
    • Full Well & Bit Depth: The ASI178MC has a slight advantage with a deeper full well (15Ke vs 10.55Ke) and 14-bit ADC, giving it more dynamic range for solar or brighter targets. However, for planetary imaging, the ASI676MC's higher resolution and cleaner sensor are often the deciding factors.

    Uncooled Design for Planetary and Guiding

    As an uncooled camera, the ASI676MC is optimized for short-exposure "lucky imaging" of the Moon, planets, and Sun (with a proper solar filter). Its lightweight body and ST-4 port also make it a capable, high-resolution autoguider. The lack of a cooling system means thermal noise will become a factor on multi-second exposures, making it less suitable for imaging faint deep-sky objects than a dedicated cooled camera.

  • What is the main advantage of the ASI676MC's square sensor?

    The 3552 x 3552 square sensor is ideal for creating mosaics of large areas like the Moon or Sun. You can capture adjacent panels without rotating the camera, which simplifies both the acquisition process at the telescope and the image stitching process in software.

    How will the ASI676MC's 2µm pixels perform on Jupiter with an 8" f/10 SCT?

    An 8" f/10 SCT has a focal length of around 2000mm. With 2µm pixels, this provides good image sampling, but for optimal planetary resolution, you typically want to image between f/10 and f/14 (5 to 7 times the pixel size). We recommend using a 1.5x Barlow lens with your SCT to bring the focal ratio to f/15, which will allow the ASI676MC to resolve the finest details in Jupiter's cloud bands under good seeing conditions.

    Can the ZWO ASI676MC capture the entire lunar disc in one shot?

    Whether the ASI676MC can capture the full Moon depends on your telescope's focal length. On a short refractor with a focal length of 400-500mm, you can easily frame the entire disc. On a longer instrument like an SCT, the 10mm sensor diagonal will only show a portion of the Moon, making it a perfect candidate for creating a high-resolution mosaic.

    Does the ZWO ASI676MC suffer from amp glow?

    No. The ZWO ASI676MC features a Zero Amplifier Glow hardware design. The circuitry is engineered to prevent the light leakage that causes amp glow, so you do not need to subtract dark frames to remove it, even on longer exposures for guiding.

    Can I use the ASI676MC as a guide camera?

    Yes. The ASI676MC is an excellent high-resolution guide camera. It includes a standard ST-4 guide port to connect directly to your mount. Its high sensitivity and small pixels can detect very faint guide stars and register minute star movements for precise tracking corrections.

    Why choose the ASI676MC over a camera like the ASI462MC?

    The choice depends on your primary target. The ASI462MC has extreme sensitivity in near-infrared light, making it a specialist for imaging methane bands on Jupiter and Saturn. The ASI676MC, however, offers a much higher 12.6 MP resolution (vs 2.1 MP) and a square sensor, making it far superior for high-resolution lunar, solar, and general planetary color imaging.

  • Sensor 1/1.6" Sony IMX676 BSI CMOS
    Resolution 12.6 MP (3552 x 3552)
    Pixel Size 2µm
    Sensor Dimensions 7.1mm x 7.1mm
    Sensor Diagonal 10mm
    Quantum Efficiency (Peak) 83%
    Full Well Capacity 10.55Ke
    Bit Depth 12-bit
    Max Frame Rate 31.2 FPS
    Amp Glow Control Zero Amplifier Glow
    Image Buffer 256MB DDR3
    Camera Type Color, Uncooled
    Guide Port ST-4
    Computer Interface USB 3.0
    Telescope Interface M42x0.75 Threads, 1.25" Nosepiece
    Camera Window IR-Cut
    Series ZWO ASI676
    SKU ZWO-ASI676MC

    • ASI676MC Camera Body

      × 1

    • 1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

    • 1.25" Cover

      × 1

    • 2m USB 3.0 Cable

      × 1

    • ST-4 Guide Cable

      × 1

    • Quick Guide

      × 1

  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty