ZWO ASI662MM Monochrome Camera
The ASI662MM Monochrome Astronomy Camera from ZWO!
Fitted with the latest sensor technology, the ZWO ASI662MM Monochrome Planetary Camera is perfect for those looking to capture outstanding astrophotos! The impressive sensitivity offered by this camera makes it a highly useful tool for resolving stunning detail on Saturn, Jupiter, our Moon, and plenty more. Additionally, key qualities such as exceptional low light performance, beneficial hardware inclusions, and fast transmission speeds enhance your experience even more. The onboard Sony STARVIS 2 technology paired with the innovative craftsmanship from ZWO results in a camera optimal for planetary, lunar, and solar astrophotography!
An upgrade to previous sensor generations, the integrated Sony IMX662 sensor offers a large full well capacity and improved performance in low light settings. This sensor is also back illuminated for heightened sensitivity, while its monochrome design makes use of every collected photon. The result? Sharp, crisp image on your favorite solar system objects! ZWO also includes a host of quality-of-life additions, such as a built-in DDR3 memory buffer, a reliable USB 3.0 port, and careful circuitry for zero amp glow. Versatile in nature, you have the opportunity to utilize this camera within your deep-sky astroimaging rig as a powerful guide camera. These top-of-the-line aspects make the ASI662MM Monochrome Planetary Camera a great addition to any astrophotographer’s set up!
A High Performance, Professional 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, dark current, and dynamic range. 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!
Sony Monochrome IMX662 CMOS Sensor
Boasting the Sony IMX662 sensor, this high performance camera adopts the latest Sony STARVIS 2 technology for next-level images! The large 38.2Ke full well capacity is wonderful for collecting beautiful gradients while simultaneously helping to prevent overexposure. Additionally, the low 0.8e readout noise sets itself apart from previous generations for better performance in demanding, low-light environments. As a monochrome sensor, the absence of a Bayer Matrix enables every pixel to be utilized during photon collection, making the ASI662MM much more sensitive than its color counterpart, the ASI662MC. Its rated 91% peak QE value demonstrates this ZWO camera’s high sensitivity, enabling intricate detail on the planets and our Moon to be captured with ease. A total of 2MP are onboard within a 1920 x 1080 pixel array, made up of small 2.9 micrometer pixels. If you wish to image at high gain, the built-in High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode effectively reduces the readout noise while also maintaining 11 stops of high dynamic range. This feature automatically kicks in at a gain setting of 252.
Electronic Highlights
Bolstering performance even further, this ZWO ASI662MM houses specialized hardware to assist with maximizing the clarity within your frames. The sensor itself features backlit design to greatly improve signal collection. With the necessary wires and transistors fixed behind the sensor as opposed to in front of it, this unhindered access gives way to heightened photon collection and a greater signal-to-noise ratio! The careful wiring within the ZWO ASI662MM can also be seen with the absence of amp glow, the unwanted illumination of the sensor due to heat from internal circuitry. Thanks to ZWO, you can expect a clean, evenly illuminated field of view in every frame. As lucky imaging involves collecting a large amount of data in a short amount of time, (especially if you plan to utilize the peak 107.6 FPS), having a system in place to streamline data transfer is vital. This is why ZWO includes a 256MB DDR3 memory buffer to transmit your collected images to your computer without lag! Even at max imaging speeds, you can rest assured knowing your files are safely delivered to your PC.
USB 3.0 and ST4 Guide Port
Two means of connection are available on this ZWO ASI662MM: a USB 3.0 port and an ST4 guide port. The USB 3.0 port offers direct connection to your computer and boasts a wide 5Gb bandwidth for fast, dependable data transmission. Enjoy smooth live video speeds, rapid image downloads, and a reduced risk of corrupted files. Even at the maximum frame rate of 107.6 FPS, this USB 3.0 port has you set up for success! If you’re wishing to utilize this camera’s high sensitivity for guiding, easily do so with this USB 3.0 port, or connect it directly to your mount via the ST4 port. A USB 3.0 cable and an ST4 guide cable come standard within this package to get you out and imaging in no time.
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 Planetary Camera |
| Autoguiding |
| Imaging the Planets |
| ZWO ASIAir Ultimate Guide |