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ZWO ASI183MM Pro Mono

ZWO ASI183MM Pro Mono

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-ASI183MM-P
CA$1,409.00 - CA$1,409.00
CA$1,409.00
CA$1,409.00 - CA$1,409.00
CA$1,409.00
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  • 20.2 Megapixel 1" Sony BSI CMOS Sensor
  • 2.4µm Pixel Size for High-Resolution Imaging
  • Two-Stage TEC Cooling Reduces Thermal Noise
  • 84% Peak Quantum Efficiency
  • 1.6e Minimum Readout Noise
  • 256MB DDR3 Onboard Image Buffer
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO ASI183MM Pro USB3.0 Cooled Monochrome Camera

    The ZWO ASI183MM Pro Mono combines a high-resolution 20.2 MP Sony IMX183 sensor with deep-cooling and a stable 256MB DDR3 buffer for serious deep-sky imaging. Its small 2.4µm pixels are engineered to resolve fine details in nebulae and galaxies when paired with short-focal-length refractors and imaging astrographs. A peak Quantum Efficiency of 84% and exceptionally low 1.6e read noise allow you to capture faint signal even in short exposures. The two-stage TEC cooler and internal buffer work together to deliver clean, low-noise frames at up to 19 fps at full resolution.

    20.2 MP Resolution from a 1" BSI Sensor

    The core of the ASI183MM Pro is its 5496 x 3672 pixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. The 2.4µm pixel size creates an ideal pairing with wide-field refractors, allowing you to sample the sky at a high resolution without needing extreme focal lengths. The primary trade-off with such small pixels is their sensitivity to seeing conditions; they perform best under steady skies and demand precise focus to leverage their full resolving power.

    Signal Capture at 84% Peak QE and 1.6e Read Noise

    This camera's back-illuminated sensor architecture achieves a peak Quantum Efficiency of 84%, capturing a high percentage of incoming photons. When combined with a minimum read noise of just 1.6 electrons, the camera maintains a high signal-to-noise ratio, critical for pulling faint details out of the sky background. The 15ke full well capacity provides enough dynamic range to capture bright star cores without saturation while still recording faint, surrounding nebulosity.

    ASI183MM Pro vs. ASI1600MM Pro: A Pixel-Level Comparison

    When choosing a monochrome camera, the ASI183MM Pro is often compared to the venerable ASI1600MM Pro. The decision hinges on your telescope and imaging goals.

    • ASI1600MM Pro Advantage: The ASI1600MM Pro uses larger 3.8µm pixels. This makes it more forgiving of average seeing conditions and a better match for longer focal length telescopes, where the 183's small pixels would be severely oversampled.
    • ASI183MM Pro Advantage: With its 20.2 MP resolution and 2.4µm pixels, the ASI183MM Pro resolves significantly more detail at shorter focal lengths. Its 84% peak QE also represents a substantial sensitivity increase over the ASI1600's ~60% QE, allowing for deeper images in the same amount of time.

    TEC Cooling and 256MB DDR3 Buffer

    Two-stage TEC cooling is essential for long-exposure astrophotography, as it dramatically reduces thermal noise that can build up on the sensor. The ASI183MM Pro's cooler can lower the sensor temperature to more than 35°C below ambient. To ensure error-free data transfer, especially at high frame rates over USB 3.0, the camera includes a 256MB DDR3 memory buffer. This buffer prevents dropped frames and minimizes amp glow, resulting in cleaner and more reliable raw data.

    Connectivity via USB 3.0 and M42 Threads

    The ASI183MM Pro connects to a computer via a high-speed USB 3.0 port, which provides the 5Gbps bandwidth necessary for its 19 fps full-resolution frame rate. The camera body features standard M42x0.75 female threads for connection to filter wheels and telescopes, with a native back focus of 6.5mm from the front plate. Power for the two-stage cooler requires an external 12V @ 3A DC power supply (sold separately).

  • How does the ASI183MM Pro's 2.4µm pixel size affect telescope choice?

    The small 2.4µm pixels are ideal for short focal length instruments (300mm - 700mm), where they provide excellent image resolution and detail. On long focal length telescopes like a large SCT, these pixels can lead to oversampling, where the image resolution is limited by atmospheric seeing rather than the optics. This results in bloated stars and no additional detail, making it a less-than-ideal match for telescopes over ~1200mm focal length under typical seeing conditions.

    Is the ASI183MM Pro a good match for an 80mm f/6 refractor imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    Yes, this is an excellent pairing. An 80mm f/6 refractor has a focal length of 480mm, which, when paired with the ASI183MM Pro's 2.4µm pixels, yields an image scale of about 1.0 arcseconds per pixel. This is a great resolution for capturing fine dust lanes in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). However, the 1" sensor size means you will need to create a mosaic to capture the entire galaxy, as its apparent size in the sky is very large.

    Can I use the ASI183MM Pro for imaging Jupiter with an 8" f/10 SCT?

    While primarily a deep-sky camera, the ASI183MM Pro can be used for planetary imaging thanks to its high frame rate capabilities in ROI mode. For an f/10 SCT, you would be imaging at f/10, which is slightly undersampled for the camera's 2.4µm pixels. For optimal planetary imaging, which requires a focal ratio between f/12 and f/17 for this camera, you would want to add a 1.5x Barlow lens to bring your SCT to f/15, which would be an ideal match for capturing fine detail in Jupiter's cloud bands under good seeing.

    What is the benefit of the 256MB DDR3 buffer in the ASI183MM Pro?

    The 256MB DDR3 buffer acts as a temporary storage for image data before it is transferred to your computer. This prevents data loss from USB transmission errors, which can cause dropped frames. It also significantly reduces "amp glow," an artifact common in some CMOS sensors during long exposures, by allowing for more stable data handling.

    Do I need an external power supply for the ASI183MM Pro?

    Yes. While the camera itself can be powered by the USB 3.0 connection for basic operation, the two-stage TEC cooler requires an external 12V @ 3A power supply to function. Without this external power, you will not be able to cool the sensor for low-noise, long-exposure imaging.

    Is the ASI183MM Pro still a good choice compared to newer ZWO cameras?

    The ASI183MM Pro remains highly relevant for a specific application: high-resolution, wide-field imaging with short refractors. Newer sensors may offer higher QE or larger formats, but the 2.4µm pixels of the ASI183MM Pro provide a unique combination of resolution and sensitivity that is hard to match for imagers who want to extract the maximum detail from wide celestial targets.

  • SKU ZWO-ASI183MM-P
    Camera Series ZWO ASI183
    Sensor 1" Sony IMX183 BSI CMOS (13.2mm x 8.8mm)
    Resolution 5496 x 3672 (20.2 MP)
    Pixel Size 2.4 µm
    Color/Mono Monochrome
    Cooling Cooled, Two-Stage TEC
    Anti-Dew Heater Yes
    Image Buffer 256MB DDR3 Memory
    Peak Quantum Efficiency (QE) 84%
    Bit Depth 12-Bit
    Full Well Capacity 15ke
    Readout Noise 1.6e - 3.0e
    Max Frame Rate (12-bit) 19 fps @ 5496 x 3672
    Shutter Type Electronic Rolling Shutter
    Exposure Range 32 µs to 2000 s
    Region of Interest (ROI) Yes
    Computer Interface USB 3.0
    Telescope Interface M42x0.75
    Back Focus 6.5mm
    Camera Window AR Coated
    Power Consumption (Cooler) 12V @ 3A Max
    Power Consumption (Camera) 650mA @ 5V
    Dimensions 78mm Diameter
    Weight 0.9 lbs
    Operating Temperature -5°C to 45°C
    Storage Temperature -20°C to 60°C
    Operating Humidity 20% to 80%
    OS Compatibility Mac, Windows & Linux

    • ZWO ASI183 CMOS Camera User Manual

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  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty