ZWO ASI2600MC Pro Color

Sensor Design

The ASI2600MC Pro uses an APS-C backside illuminated CMOS sensor with 26.1 megapixels at a pixel size of 3.76μm. Its ultra-low 1.0e- readout noise enhances your images by revealing more details and improving the dynamic range. The 16-bit ADC sensor provides a high dynamic range, delivering up to 14 stops!

This camera produces no amp glow, which can be a common issue in some astrophotography cameras. This feature ensures clean images that require less post-processing.

This camera offers high quantum efficiency to capture great details even in low light conditions, making it ideal for deep sky imaging.

Cooling System

Integrated with a powerful two-stage TEC cooling system, the ASI2600MC Pro can reduce the CMOS sensor temperature by up to 35°C below ambient, significantly reducing the dark current. Thereby, the improvement in signal to noise ratio (SNR) will result in clearer, sharper images of the deep sky, even with long exposures of hundreds of seconds.

Versatile Connectivity

The camera includes many ports for convenient connection of additional equipment like a filter wheel, a guide camera or a motorized focuser.

• 1x USB3.0 for high speed data transfer
• 2x USB2.0 ports for additional equipment
• 1x 12V 2.1 x 5.5mm power port to power the camera

Backside Illuminated IMX571 Sensor

Sony's back-illuminated CMOS image sensor enhances sensitivity and noise reduction—crucial aspects for improving image quality. This enhancement is achieved by shifting the fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination, maintaining the benefits of CMOS sensors like low power consumption and rapid processing.

In traditional front-illuminated sensors, the metal wiring and transistors on the silicon substrate's surface, which make up the light-sensitive area (photo-diode), obstruct the light captured by the on-chip lens. Conversely, a back-illuminated structure reduces sensitivity lossincreases light intake per pixel by relocating these obstructions to the back of the silicon substrate. This modification allows for more direct light entry into each pixel, significantly enhancing overall image quality.

Native 16 bit ADC

The ASI2600MC Pro camera stands out as one of the few CMOS astronomy cameras featuring a 16-bit ADC, specifically designed to meet the ideal requirements for astrophotography. Unlike a CCD 16-bit ADC, this camera's 16-bit ADC truly delivers a dynamic range of 14 stops. This extensive range significantly enhances image sharpness and contrast, and also produces smoother, more natural transitions in contrast and color gradients when various filters are applied. This makes the ASI2600MC Pro an exceptional choice for capturing detailed and vivid astronomical images.

Optical Window Dew Heater

The ASI2600MC Pro camera features a polyimide heater that perfectly aligns with the protective window, designed to prevent dew or ice formation, which can be a concern depending on the environmental conditions during image capture. This heater has a power output of approximately 5W and can be conveniently turned off at any time through your photography software to conserve power.

512MB DDRIII Buffer

---

The ASI2600MC-P boasts a 512MB DDR3 memory buffer, enhancing performance and efficiency. This buffer accelerates data transfer and processing during image capture, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption. It also alleviates strain on the host computer's resources, ensuring smoother operation and maximizing creative potential during high-speed imaging sessions.

Low Dark Current

The ASI2600MC Pro, already featuring a low dark current, demonstrates even further reduced dark current when cooling is utilized. Check the diagram below to view the significant reductions achieved with the cooling system.

Additionally, the unique dark current suppression technology further diminishes dark current noise. At a cooling temperature of 0°C, the dark current noise measures only 0.0022e/s/pixel, translating to a mere 0.7e dark current noise for a 300-second exposure, which is lower than the readout noise. Moreover, at a cooling temperature of -20°C, the dark current reduces to a negligible 0.00012e/s/pixel, ensuring minimal interference with image quality.

Please note that the Delta T of 35°C is validated under an ambient temperature of 35°C and may vary with prolonged cooling system operation or changes in ambient temperature.

Quantum Efficiency

Based on the calculations, the peak quantum efficiency of the ASI2600MC Pro is greater than 80%

Low Read Noise, High Dynamic Range

Setting the gain value to 100 activates the HCG high gain mode. This adjustment significantly lowers the readout noise without fundamentally altering the dynamic range, making this gain value the most used amongst the astrophotographers.

Mechanical Design