ZWO ASI2600MC Pro USB3 Cooled Color Camera (2025)
Create Captivating Stills With The ZWO ASI2600MC P25!
One of the most sought-after one-shot color cameras gets a refresh with the ZWO ASI2600MC P25 Cooled Color Camera! If creating astrophotography brimming with detail, contrast, and clarity is your goal, then the ZWO 2600 series continues to deliver. Read on to discover how this distinguished model still solidly sets itself as a standout option for your modern imaging build!
The ZWO ASI2600 line is a stellar standout in the dedicated astrophotography space, because of their ability to create finely detailed and fantastically dynamic astrophotos! The ASI2600MC P25 is ZWO's dedicated imaging entry in this remarkable series, bringing you an enhanced take on the model that started it all—with more frames per second potential and a refreshed look. This APS-C imaging powerhouse sports the renowned Sony IMX571 sensor which brings you high resolution, large dynamic range, and low-noise in this crop-sensor size class. With advances in electronics design, this color sensor takes the incredible performance of the previous generation of ASI2600s even further to create clearer images than ever before! Capture ethereal nebulae in enthralling detail, render the swirling splendor of galaxies in fabulous full color, and more with this stunning camera. Supporting the incredibly capable core of this camera are the ZWO Zero Amp Glow technology, TEC cooling system, anti-dew heater, and incredible supplemental electronics. This technology is housed in a stylish, sandblasted, red aluminum housing that is quickly becoming the hallmark of ZWO's cutting-edge additions to the astronomy market!
ZWO ASI2600MC Pro At a Glance
|
|
|
|
|
|
A High Performance, Pro-Level Camera for Astrophotography
Let's Dig into the Data!
What sets one astrophotography camera apart from another? How is performance measured? Camera and sensor manufacturers provide certain interconnected specifications that give insight into the performance of a camera. These measurements include quantum efficiency, read noise, full well depth, gain, dynamic range, and dark current. While the graphs provided by the manufacturer may be confusing or intimidating, don't fret! Our team has put together a breakdown of these complicated topics to help you make sense of them. Take a look at the article here: Understanding ZWO Camera Charts and Graphs, and feel more confident making the right choice for your astrophotography needs!
Stellar Crop Sensor Specs and Features!
The ASI2600MC P25 brings you a spectacular sensor supported by ZWO's cutting-edge design and electronic that will bring you breathtaking results!
Astounding APS-C Sensor
This dedicated
astrophotography camera gives you a sensor that has come to standout in the
APS-C class: the Sony IMX571. Popularized in large part by
this camera's predecessor, this sensor has made a name for itself with its
high performance, high resolution, and exceptional clarity. This backside
illuminated (BSI) CMOS chip packs an impressive 26 megapixels (6248 x 4176)
into its 23.5 x 15.7 mm footprint, with pixels measuring 3.76μm. These
micron-sized detectors pack a powerful punch, with a large full-well depth
of 73 Ke, ultra-wide contrast range
of 14 stops and a 16-bit ADC, and 80% peak QE. Data from these tiny sites is
kept clear, with an ultra-low readout noise of 1.0e-3.3e! These impressive
specs breathe life into your images, rendering them with dynamic, detailed,
and thrilling characteristics that are sure to stun! This one-shot-color
model allows you to capture deep sky objects in natural color without
requiring separate filters and filter changes. Just install the
camera, point, and snap shot after shot to create rich astronomical vistas!
Electronics
A high performing sensor is only
half the story! The ASI2600MC P25 features a number of superb support
systems that take the Sony IMX571's images the extra mile for some truly
impressive results. Improvements on the venerable ASI2600MC Pro
electronics board has allowed 1.5 more FPS, providing even more excellence out
of this APS-C class staple. Further enhancing the quality of these images
are the Two-Stage Cooling system and Zero Amp Glow technology; these fight some
of the artifacts inherent to CMOS sensors by suppressing electronic glow and
cool the IMX571 down to
30-35°C below ambient temperature. For superb stability,
this camera features a 512 MB DDR3 buffer that can temporarily store images
to keep your imaging workflow moving even if there is a bottleneck in
offloading prior images. To help combat environmental factors, ZWO has also
equipped this camera with a polyimide window heater to fight dew
formation.
Power and Ports
Accessing this advanced
astrophotography system is simpler than you may think! To drive the imaging,
data transfer, and cooling/anti-dew support systems of this camera, the
ASI2600MC P25 uses a standard 12V DC 5.5 x 2.1 mm power port and requires a
supply capable of providing 3A*. For solid data throughput to keep up with
this camera's high resolution image files, ZWO has equipped the camera with
a USB B 3.0 port. This speedy connection can be shared by up to two peripheral
devices through the built-in USB 2.0 hub, making cable management and system
builds with limited USB ports easier!
*Please Note: This camera requires power even if you do not intend
to use features like anti-dew, cooling, or the USB hub. Without an
adequate power supply, the camera may not register as connected, fail to
function in your imaging suite, or give capture errors.
Spacing Concerns Covered
The ZWO ASI2600MC P25 camera
comes with all the parts you need to precisely position your
astrophotography camera in the majority of today's systems. Designed for the
ubiquitous 55 mm spacing seen across many of today's astrophotography field
flatteners, coma correctors, focal reducers, and internally corrected
telescopes, setting your camera up for stellar shots is as easy as
connecting the two spacers to the tilt-plate and threading the assembly to
your telescope. This combination of hardware gives you an M48 female
connection, which can be stepped down to M42/ T2-Thread with the included
M48M-M42F adapter ring, making the ASI2600MC P25 compatible with most
optical systems right out of the box. The included spacers effortlessly pair
with many of ZWO's excellent astrophotography accessories as well, making
expanding your imaging system's capabilities easy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera for planetary imaging?
While this ZWO ASI2600MC Pro is specifically built for and excels at deep space astrophotography, it can still absolutely be used for planetary imaging. Its high sensitivity and low noise deliver beautiful detail on our solar system neighbors, helping you capture incredible images of Jupiter, Saturn, our Moon, and more. Something to keep in mind, however, is that dedicated planetary cameras are designed to provide high frame rates to capture pockets of still atmosphere in between bouts of poor seeing. The large APS-C sensor of this ASI2600MC Pro puts a damper on how fast this camera can collect frames, offering a modest maximum of 14 FPS compared to the popular ZWO ASI585MC planetary camera’s maximum frame rate of 46.9 FPS.
What is the weight of the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera?
This ZWO ASI2600MC Pro weighs just 1.54 lbs. (0.7 kg), adding very little bulk to your setup.
Does the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera work with N.I.N.A.?
Yes! The ZWO ASI2600MC Pro is compatible with N.I.N.A., Sequence Generator Pro, and other ASCOM-compliant third party software platforms. You’ll simply need to install the ZWO ASI Camera ASCOM driver onto your laptop or WiFi camera control device and the ASCOM platform 6.2 or newer.
How do I connect the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera to my telescope?
While the answer to this question will vary based on your particular telescope and the accessories within your imaging train, most of today’s field flatteners, coma correctors, focal reducers, and internally corrected telescopes require the industry standard of 55 mm of backfocus. ZWO makes achieving this distance easy by including the appropriate spacers and adapters. Additionally, these spacers and adapters feature M48 and M42 threads to seamlessly adapt to your scope or imaging accessories. In the box you’ll find an M48-M42 adapter, an M42-M42 21 mm extender, and an M42-M48 16.5mm extender. For further information on this topic, be sure to check out our comprehensive How to Connect a Camera to a Telescope article!
Does the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera include a power cable within the box?
While a USB 3.0 cable and two USB 2.0 cables come standard within this package, a power cable is not included within this box. We recommend the Apertura Universal 5 Amp AC Adapter for your power supply needs.
What are the power requirements for the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera?
The ZWO ASI2600MC Pro requires 12V 3A power to operate properly. This includes frame collection, data transfer, cooling functionality, and anti-dew control. On the back of this camera you’ll find a standard 12V DC 5.5 x 2.1 mm power port. As a power cable does not come included within the box, We recommend pairing your ZWO camera with the Apertura Universal 5 Amp AC Adapter.
What has changed with the 2025 version of the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera?
With the recent 2025 upgrade, the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro now features enhanced performance and a sleeker body design. This improved performance is thanks to the redesigned FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), offering accelerated data transmission. Compared to the previous rated 3.51 FPS, the upgraded ZWO ASI2600MC Pro offers a higher 14.3 FPS! This is particularly useful for smoother video and live views during focusing. Additionally, the previous 50 Ke full well depth has been bumped up to 73 Ke for higher dynamic range within your images. Also, the new matte finish of the camera body brings a sophisticated, stylish feel to your imaging setup.
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
| Choosing the Best Deep Sky Camera |
| Undersampling and Oversampling in Astrophotography |
| Why Exposure Time Matters |
| ZWO ASIAir Ultimate Guide |
