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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
ZWO ASI294MM Mono

ZWO ASI294MM Mono

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI294MM
$999.00 - $999.00
$999.00
$999.00 - $999.00
$999.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 11.7 Megapixel 4/3" Monochrome Sony IMX492 Sensor
  • 4.63µm Pixels with 66ke- Full Well Capacity
  • Peak Quantum Efficiency of ~90%
  • Extremely Low Read Noise of 1.26e-
  • 19 FPS at Full 4144 x 2822 Resolution
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO ASI294MM USB3.0 Monochrome Camera

    The ZWO ASI294MM combines a large 4/3" format Sony sensor with deep 66ke- full well capacity and ~90% peak quantum efficiency to deliver exceptional signal-to-noise performance for solar system imaging. Its 11.7 MP resolution captures expansive lunar mosaics and full-disc solar images, while the extremely low 1.26e- read noise ensures that faint planetary details are not lost in the background. At full 4144 x 2822 resolution, the camera transmits data at up to 19 FPS over its USB 3.0 interface, fast enough for lucky imaging during moments of steady seeing.

    Sony IMX492 Sensor: ~90% QE and 1.26e- Read Noise

    The core of the ASI294MM is its back-illuminated Sony CMOS sensor, which achieves a peak quantum efficiency of approximately 90%. This extreme sensitivity means the camera captures nearly every photon that hits it, allowing you to use shorter exposures to freeze atmospheric turbulence. Paired with a readout noise floor as low as 1.26e-, the sensor maintains a high dynamic range, preserving subtle tonal variations in Jupiter's cloud bands and delicate structures in solar prominences.

    Software-Unlocked Bin 1 Mode for 47MP Resolution

    A unique feature of the ASI294MM is a software-selectable mode that unlocks the sensor's native resolution. In this mode, the camera operates with smaller effective pixels and a resolution of 47 megapixels. This provides a significant increase in image scale without changing your optical train, allowing you to resolve finer details on planetary surfaces. This mode is a powerful tool for imagers seeking the highest possible resolution when seeing conditions permit.

    ASI294MM Mono vs. One-Shot-Color Alternatives

    The primary advantage of the ASI294MM's monochrome sensor is its raw sensitivity. By removing the Bayer color filter array found on color cameras, it captures 100% of the incoming light at every pixel, avoiding the significant light loss inherent to color filter matrices. This translates directly to stronger signal and cleaner data per frame.

    • Monochrome Advantage: Capturing in monochrome with separate LRGB filters consistently produces sharper, more detailed final images than a one-shot-color camera with the same sensor.
    • One-Shot-Color Advantage: A color camera offers a much simpler workflow, capturing a full-color image in a single set of exposures without the need for a filter wheel. The trade-off for this convenience is lower per-pixel sensitivity and resolution compared to a monochrome setup.

    Uncooled Design for High-Speed Imaging

    As an uncooled camera, the ASI294MM is optimized for imaging techniques that rely on high frame rates and short exposures, typically under a few seconds. This makes it a specialist for lunar, solar, and planetary work where thousands of frames are captured in minutes. For long-exposure deep-sky imaging of faint nebulae, where thermal noise from the sensor becomes a limiting factor, a cooled camera is the recommended tool.

    19 FPS Data Transfer with USB 3.0 and ST-4 Guiding

    To handle the massive amount of data generated by the 11.7 MP sensor, the ASI294MM uses a USB 3.0 interface capable of sustaining a full-resolution frame rate of 19 FPS. This ensures you never miss a moment of stable seeing. The camera also includes a standard ST-4 guide port, allowing its high sensitivity to be used for autoguiding on faint stars when not being used as a primary imager.

  • What is the main advantage of the ZWO ASI294MM's 4/3" sensor?

    The large 4/3" sensor, with a 23.2mm diagonal, provides a much wider field of view than smaller planetary cameras. This allows you to capture the entire lunar disc or create large solar mosaics with fewer panels, streamlining the acquisition process for large targets.

    What Barlow lens is best for the ASI294MM with an 8" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain?

    For planetary imaging, the optimal focal ratio is typically 5 to 7 times the camera's pixel size. With the ASI294MM's 4.63µm pixels, the target focal ratio is between f/23 and f/32. On an f/10 SCT, a 2.5x Barlow is an excellent match to achieve the ideal image scale for Jupiter or Saturn under good seeing conditions.

    Can I use the uncooled ASI294MM to image the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33)?

    While the ASI294MM is extremely sensitive, it is uncooled, so thermal noise will accumulate during the long, multi-minute exposures required for a faint target like the Horsehead Nebula. It is best suited for "lucky imaging" of brighter deep-sky objects or planetary nebulae using many short exposures. For faint, extended nebulosity, a cooled camera is strongly recommended.

    What does the ASI294MM's software-unlocked Bin 1 mode do?

    This mode reconfigures the sensor to use its native pixel array, resulting in a resolution of 47 megapixels with an effective pixel size of 2.3µm. This is ideal for high-resolution planetary imaging when seeing is excellent, as it increases the image scale and potential for fine detail without requiring a stronger Barlow lens.

    Should I buy the ASI294MM mono or a one-shot-color camera to start?

    A one-shot-color camera is simpler for beginners, providing a full-color result with a single capture session. The ASI294MM mono offers superior sensitivity and ultimate resolution but requires a filter wheel, filters, and a more involved image processing workflow to create a color image. If your goal is the highest possible image quality, mono is the path.

    How does the 14-bit ADC on the ASI294MM affect my images?

    The native 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) allows the camera to capture 16,384 distinct tonal levels. This high bit depth provides smoother gradients and more data to work with during processing, helping to reveal subtle details in bright areas like Jupiter's Great Red Spot without blowing out highlights.

  • SKU ZWO-ASI294MM
    Series ZWO ASI294
    Sensor Type Sony IMX492 4/3" BSI CMOS
    Resolution 4144 x 2822 (11.7 MP)
    Pixel Size 4.63 µm
    Sensor Dimensions 19.1mm x 13mm
    Sensor Diagonal 23.2 mm
    Quantum Efficiency (Peak) ~ 90%
    Full Well Capacity 66ke-
    Read Noise 1.26e- to 8e-
    Bit Depth 14-bit
    Max Frame Rate 19 FPS
    Shutter Type Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Exposure Range 32µs - 2000s
    Camera Type Monochrome, Uncooled
    Computer Interface USB 3.0
    Guide Port ST-4
    Telescope Connection M42x0.75 Female Thread
    Back Focus 6.5 mm
    Camera Window AR Coated
    Warranty 2 Years

    • ZWO ASI294MM Camera Body

      × 1

    • Quick Guide

      × 1

    • 1.25" Cover

      × 1

    • 2" Cover

      × 1

    • T2 - 1.25" Adapter

      × 1

    • 1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

    • USB 3.0 Cable (2m)

      × 1

    • ST4 Cable

      × 1

  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty