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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 ASI678MC Color
ZWO ASI678MC Color
ZWO ASI678MC Color
ZWO ASI678MC Color
ZWO ASI678MC Color
ZWO ASI678MC Color

ZWO ASI678MC Color

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI678MC
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 8.29 Megapixel Sony IMX678 Color Sensor
  • 2.0µm pixels for high-resolution planetary imaging
  • 47.5 FPS at full 3840x2160 resolution
  • Zero amp glow for clean, long exposures
  • 256MB DDR3 buffer for stable, high-speed data transfer
4 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO ASI678MC Color CMOS Camera

    The ZWO ASI678MC leverages Sony's latest STARVIS 2 technology to deliver exceptional planetary, lunar, and solar detail. Its 8.29 MP IMX678 sensor, with small 2.0µm pixels, achieves high-resolution captures at a rapid 47.5 FPS, while the 12bit ADC and extremely low 0.6e read noise ensure a high dynamic range. A peak Quantum Efficiency of 83% and zero amp glow circuitry combine to produce clean, high-contrast images, even on faint targets or during longer exposures.

    Sony IMX678 Sensor with 2.0µm Pixels

    At the core of the ASI678MC is a 1/1.8" format Sony IMX678 sensor, which provides a 3840x2160 resolution ideal for capturing fine surface details on Jupiter, Saturn's rings, and lunar craters. The small 2.0µm pixel size is a critical factor for achieving optimal sampling on long focal length telescopes, allowing you to resolve intricate features without excessive use of Barlow lenses. This back-illuminated sensor architecture also provides outstanding sensitivity, especially in the near-infrared, giving you a distinct advantage when imaging planets with methane band or IR-pass filters.

    Zero Amp Glow & 47.5 FPS Capture Rate

    A standout feature implemented at the hardware level, the ASI678MC exhibits absolutely zero amplifier glow, regardless of exposure length or gain settings. This guarantees clean calibration and removes a major source of noise from your final images, a significant upgrade over previous generation sensors. The camera sustains a maximum frame rate of 47.5 FPS at its full 8.29 MP resolution, enabled by a high-speed USB 3.0 interface and a 256MB DDR3 buffer that prevents dropped frames during critical moments of steady seeing.

    • No Amp Glow: Cleaner dark frames and less post-processing complexity, even with higher gain settings.
    • 256MB DDR3 Buffer: Ensures stable, high-speed data transmission to your computer, eliminating frame drops during capture sessions.
    • High Conversion Gain (HCG) Mode: Automatically activates at higher gain settings to drastically reduce read noise while preserving the full 11.27ke well depth, maintaining a wide dynamic range.

    ZWO ASI678MC vs. ASI585MC

    While both cameras share the same 4K resolution, the ASI678MC and ASI585MC are optimized for different primary use cases. The choice depends on your telescope and primary imaging targets.

    • ASI585MC Advantage: The ASI585MC has a larger sensor and bigger 2.9µm pixels, giving it a significantly larger field of view and a deeper full well capacity (47ke vs 11.27ke). This makes it more versatile for capturing not just planets, but also brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42).
    • ASI678MC Advantage: The ASI678MC's smaller sensor and 2.0µm pixels provide a more magnified image scale, which is ideal for framing planets without needing aggressive barlowing. This makes it a more specialized and efficient tool for high-resolution planetary, lunar, and solar imaging.

    Connectivity and Build

    The ASI678MC is housed in a compact, lightweight body weighing only 126g. It features a standard M42x0.75 female thread for connection to your telescope, with a 1.25" nosepiece included for use with standard focusers. The camera provides both a high-speed USB 3.0 port for data transfer and an ST-4 guide port, allowing it to double as a highly sensitive autoguider when not being used for primary imaging.

  • Is the ZWO ASI678MC good for deep-sky objects?

    While the ZWO ASI678MC can capture brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42) or the Hercules Cluster (M13), its primary design is for high-frame-rate planetary, lunar, and solar imaging. Its small pixels and sensor size are optimized for high magnification. For a more versatile camera better suited for a wider range of DSOs, consider the ZWO ASI585MC with its larger sensor and deeper full well capacity.

    What focal ratio is best for the ASI678MC's 2.0µm pixels?

    For optimal planetary imaging, a good target focal ratio is 5 to 7 times the pixel size. For the ASI678MC's 2.0µm pixels, this means an ideal focal ratio is between f/10 and f/14. If you have an f/5 Newtonian, a 2x or 2.5x Barlow lens would place you in the ideal range. For an f/10 SCT, you can often image directly without a Barlow, or use a 1.5x Barlow in very good seeing conditions.

    Does the ASI678MC require dark frames?

    Thanks to its hardware-level zero amp glow design, the need for dark frames is significantly reduced, especially for short-exposure planetary imaging. However, for longer exposures on brighter deep-sky objects, taking dark frames is still a best practice to remove warm pixels and minimize dark current noise for the cleanest possible image.

    What is the difference between the ZWO ASI678MC and the older ASI178MC?

    The ZWO ASI678MC is a direct upgrade to the ASI178MC. The key improvements are:

    • Zero Amp Glow: The ASI678MC has no amp glow, a significant improvement over the ASI178MC.
    • Lower Read Noise: It features a lower minimum read noise (0.6e vs. 1.4e), resulting in cleaner images at high gain.
    • STARVIS 2 Technology: The newer sensor has enhanced sensitivity, particularly in near-infrared light.

    Can I use the ZWO ASI678MC as a guide camera?

    Yes. The ZWO ASI678MC is equipped with an ST-4 guide port and its high sensitivity makes it an excellent autoguiding camera. Its small pixels can detect minute star movements, leading to very precise guiding corrections.

    What do I need to use the ASI678MC for solar imaging?

    To safely image the Sun with the ZWO ASI678MC, you MUST use a certified, full-aperture solar filter over the front of your telescope. Never point your telescope at the Sun without a proper filter, as it will cause immediate and permanent damage to the camera sensor and your eyes.

  • Sensor 1/1.8” CMOS Sony IMX678
    Resolution 8.29 MP (3840 x 2160)
    Pixel Size 2.0µm
    Full Well Depth 11.27ke
    Max Frame Rate 47.5 FPS
    Shutter Type Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Exposure Range 32µs - 2000s
    Read Noise 0.6e - 2.7e
    Quantum Efficiency (Peak) ≈83%
    ADC 12-bit
    Image Buffer 256MB DDR3 Memory
    Data Interface USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
    Guide Port ST-4
    Back Focus 12.5mm
    Protective Window AR Coated (D21-1)
    Dimensions 62mm Diameter
    Weight 126g
    Operating Temperature -5°C to 50°C

    • ASI678MC Camera Body

      × 1

    • 1.25" Dust Cover

      × 1

    • 1.25" Nosepiece

      × 1

    • 2m USB 3.0 Cable

      × 1

    • ST4 Guide Cable

      × 1

    • Quick Start Guide

      × 1

  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty