ZWO ASI678MC USB 3.0 Color Astronomy Camera

• OSC Planetary Camera with Low Noise

  ASI678MC adopts Sony's latest generation sensor IMX678 with excellent near infrared response. With the advantages of large full well capacity, high dynamic range and low readout noise, this camera has been tested and found to have perfect performance in planetary imaging, solar and lunar imaging.

  

  
  

  Clear in Low Light

  The back-illuminated sensor used in the ASI678MC camera allows for extremely low readout noise and ultra-high sensitivity. It achieves this by moving the structural matrix of wiring from the front of the SMOS sensor to the back. This results in significantly more light landing on the photodiode substrate, allowing you to capture excellent images with less light exposure. Upgrading to this camera is like upgrading to a faster OTA!

  
  

  

  
  

  STARVIS 2

  ASI678MC can be regarded as an upgrade of ASI178MC. It adopts the latest SONY IMX678 sensor with advanced STARVIS 2 technology. Compared to ASI178MC, this camera features zero amp glow, lower readout noise and higher sensitivity. The dark current noise is greatly decreased; the performance of near infrared is greatly improved.

  USB 3.0 & 256M DDR3 Memory

  The camera is equipped with a USB 3.0 transmission interface and a built-in 256MB DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmission. Under long exposure, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces the glow effect caused by slow reading speed.

  
  

  

  
  

  Upgraded Model

  The ASI678MC is an upgraded product of the ADI178MC. Compared to the ASI178MC, the ASI678MC has lower read noise, lower dark noise, and no amp glow.

  
  

  

  
  

  No Amp Glow

  ASI678MC exhibits zero amp glow, no matter how long the exposure and how high the gain value. Since it is implemented directly at the hardware level, it does not require software control.

  
  

  

  
  

  HGC Mode

  The camera has a built-in HCG mode, which can effectively reduce readout noise at high gain. This allows the camera to maintain the same high dynamic range as it does at low gain. When the gain is 182, the HCG mode is automatically turned on. The readout noise is as low as 0.8e, and the dynamic range can still reach a level close to 12bit.

  
  

  

  
  

  Quantum Efficiency

  The QE curve and readout noise are very important parameters to measure the camera's performance. Higher QE and lower readout noise are necessary to improve the image signal-to-noise ratio.

  
  

  

  
  

  Dark Current Noise

  ASI678MC has a lower dark current noises than ASI178; it has better image signal-to-noise ratios. If we compare the darks frames captured with these two cameras, it can be easily found that the frame from ASI678 has less noise and looks smoother.

  

  
  
  

  Connection Method

  
  

  

  
  

  Connection to External Devices

  
  

  

  
  

  Structural Dimension Diagram

  
  

  

• Specifications

  ADC	12 bit
  Back Focus	12.5mm
  Camera Connection	Female M42x0.75
  Color or Mono	Color
  Cooled	Uncooled
  Dynamic Range	12 Stops
  Free Shipping	Yes
  Full Rez Frame Rate	47.5fps
  Full Well	11.27ke
  Max Frame Rate	47.5fps
  Mega Pixels	5 to 8 MP
  Peak QE	83%
  Pixel Array	3840 x 2160
  Pixel Size	2 microns
  Read Noise	1e
  Sensor Diagonal	10mm or Less
  Sensor Type	CMOS
  Sensor	Sony IMX678
  Weight	0.28 lb

• Included Items

  • ASI678MC camera body
  • 1.25" cover
  • ST4 cable
  • 1.25" nose piece
  • Quick guide
  • 2.0m USB 3.0 cable