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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.
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 ASI533MC Pro Color

ZWO ASI533MC Pro Color

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI533MC-P
$799.00 - $799.00
$799.00
$799.00 - $799.00
$799.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 9.05 Megapixel 1" Square Sony IMX533 Sensor
  • 3.76µm Pixels & 50,000e- Full Well Depth
  • Two-Stage TEC Cooling System
  • Zero Amplifier Glow Circuitry
  • 256MB DDR3 Onboard Image Buffer
  • 14-bit ADC with 1.0e Minimum Read Noise
2 in stock
FREE Shipping in CONUS
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO ASI533MC Pro USB3 Cooled Color Camera

    The ZWO ASI533MC Pro Color camera combines a unique 9.05 MP square sensor with 3.76µm pixels for simplified framing and deep-sky imaging. Its back-illuminated Sony sensor achieves a peak quantum efficiency of ~80%, capturing faint signal with read noise as low as 1.0e. The camera's 14-bit ADC and 50,000e- full well capacity preserve dynamic range in bright star fields, while the 256MB DDR3 buffer ensures stable data transfer at up to 20 FPS over its USB 3.0 interface.

    The 1" Square Sensor: 3008 x 3008 Pixel Array

    The ASI533MC Pro is built around a Sony IMX533 sensor with an 11.31mm x 11.31mm square format. This design eliminates the need to consider camera rotation for optimal framing, simplifying mosaic planning and ensuring consistent composition on targets like the Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237). The 3.76µm pixel size is well-matched to short-to-medium focal length refractors, resolving fine detail without requiring perfect seeing conditions.

    Clean Data: 50ke- Full Well & Zero Amp Glow

    This camera is engineered to produce data that is easy to calibrate. A deep 50,000 electron full well prevents bright stars from saturating, preserving their color and detail in dense clusters or galactic cores. Critically, the ASI533MC Pro incorporates circuitry that completely eliminates amplifier glow, a common source of noise in long exposures, regardless of exposure time or gain setting.

    Efficient Signal Capture: ~80% QE and TEC Cooling

    With a back-illuminated (BSI) sensor design and a peak quantum efficiency of ~80%, the ASI533MC Pro captures a high percentage of incoming photons. This sensitivity reduces required exposure times for faint nebulae. The two-stage TEC cooler actively reduces thermal noise by lowering the sensor temperature, which is essential for clean, multi-minute exposures of faint deep-sky objects.

    • Back-Illuminated Sensor: Increases sensitivity by placing the sensor wiring behind the photodiode layer, maximizing the light-gathering area of each pixel.
    • Regulated Cooling: The TEC cooler maintains a stable sensor temperature throughout an imaging session, which is critical for creating an accurate dark frame library for calibration.

    ZWO ASI533MC Pro vs. ASI294MC Pro

    When choosing a color ZWO camera, the ASI294MC Pro is a frequent point of comparison. While both are highly capable, they serve different imaging goals.

    • ASI294MC Pro Advantage: The ASI294MC Pro uses a larger Four Thirds sensor, offering a wider field of view at the same focal length. It also has a higher native resolution of 11.7MP.
    • ASI533MC Pro Advantage: The ASI533MC Pro's defining features are its square sensor for easy framing and its complete lack of amplifier glow, which simplifies processing. It also has a slightly lower minimum read noise (1.0e vs. 1.2e).

    Reliable Connectivity and 256MB Buffer

    The ASI533MC Pro uses a USB 3.0 interface for high-speed data transfer, capable of delivering its full 9.05 MP resolution at 20 frames per second without compromise. An onboard 256MB DDR3 memory buffer prevents dropped frames during data transfer, ensuring that every sub-exposure from a long imaging sequence is saved reliably. This is particularly important for high-frame-rate techniques or when using less powerful acquisition computers.

  • What makes the ZWO ASI533MC Pro's square sensor useful for astrophotography?

    The 3008 x 3008 pixel square sensor simplifies image composition. You never have to rotate the camera to find the best orientation for a target, which is especially useful for building mosaics of large objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). It provides a consistent field of view regardless of orientation.

    How does the ASI533MC Pro's 50,000e- full well capacity affect my images of star clusters like the Pleiades (M45)?

    A large 50ke- full well prevents the bright stars in a cluster like the Pleiades (M45) from becoming saturated (pure white) during long exposures. This preserves the natural color of the stars and allows you to capture the faint surrounding nebulosity in the same sub-exposure without blowing out the highlights.

    Is the ZWO ASI533MC Pro suitable for imaging planets like Jupiter with an 8" SCT?

    While primarily a deep-sky camera, the ASI533MC Pro is capable of planetary imaging. Its 3.76µm pixel size is a good match for longer focal length scopes like an 8" SCT, especially with a Barlow lens. You can use its Region of Interest (ROI) feature to increase the frame rate significantly beyond the full-frame 20 FPS, allowing you to capture thousands of frames quickly to "freeze" atmospheric seeing.

    What does 'zero amp glow' mean for the ASI533MC Pro?

    Amp glow is a faint illumination, usually in the corners of an image, caused by heat from the sensor's electronics. The ZWO ASI533MC Pro has internal hardware that completely eliminates this effect. This means your dark frames will be cleaner and more effective at removing noise, without the need to subtract a complex, glowing pattern that can change with exposure time.

    Do I need an external power supply for the ZWO ASI533MC Pro's cooling system?

    Yes. The camera's imaging sensor can be powered over USB, but the Two-Stage TEC cooling system requires a separate 12V 3A-5A DC power supply (not included). Without external power, the cooler will not function, and you will not be able to reduce thermal noise for long-exposure imaging.

    How do I achieve the standard 55mm back focus with the included adapters for the ASI533MC Pro?

    The ASI533MC Pro has a native back focus of 17.5mm. ZWO includes a combination of extenders and adapters to reach the common 55mm standard. A typical configuration would be: Camera (17.5mm) + 16.5mm Extender + 21mm Extender. This totals 55mm. Refer to the diagrams provided by ZWO for specific configurations with accessories like filter wheels or off-axis guiders.

  • SKU ZWO-ASI533MC-P
    MPN ZWO ASI533MC-P
    Camera Series ZWO ASI533 Pro
    Sensor 1" Sony IMX533 BSI CMOS
    Resolution 3008 x 3008 (9.05 MP)
    Pixel Size 3.76 µm
    Sensor Dimensions 11.31 mm x 11.31 mm
    Sensor Diagonal 15.97 mm
    Quantum Efficiency (Peak) ~80%
    Full Well Capacity 50,000 e-
    Read Noise 1.0e to 3.8e
    Cooling Cooled, Two-Stage TEC
    Amp Glow Control Zero Amplifier Glow
    Bit Depth 14-bit
    Max Frame Rate 20 FPS
    Image Buffer 256MB DDR3 Memory
    Shutter Type Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Exposure Range 32 µs to 2000 s
    Back Focus 17.5 mm
    Telescope Interface M42x0.75
    Computer Interface USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
    Power Requirement (Camera) 650mA @ 5V (via USB)
    Camera Dimensions 78 mm Diameter
    Camera Weight 1.03 lb
    Operating Temperature -5°C to 45°C
    Storage Temperature -20°C to 60°C
    Operating Humidity 20% to 80%

    • ASI533MC Pro Camera Body

      × 1

    • Soft Padded Camera Bag

      × 1

    • USB 3.0 Cable (6.5 ft)

      × 1

    • USB 2.0 Cable (1.6 ft)

      × 2

    • T2 Extender (21mm)

      × 1

    • T2-M48 Extender (16.5mm)

      × 1

    • M42-M48 Adapter Ring

      × 1

    • T2-1.25" Adapter

      × 1

    • 1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

    • Spacer Rings

      × 4

    • Lens Cover

      × 1

    • Quick Start Guide

      × 1

    Please Note: A 12V 3A-5A power adapter is required to run the camera's cooling system but is not included in the box. Please see the Recommended Accessories section to add one to your order.

  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty