Product Overview
By popular demand, we now introduce the ASI294MM Pro. This is the monochrome version of the ASI294MC Pro – one of the top selling cameras from ZWO. Some of the highlights include:
- Back-illuminated sensor – improving sensitivity and reducing noise
- 4/3” format with 4.64 um pixel size – ideal for many types of telescopes
- 14-bit ADC – giving a high dynamic range
- An impressive 66ke- full well capacity- helping to reduce the issue of for example saturated stars
- 4144*2822 high resolution – with the Bin1-mode the camera can operate at a resolution of 8288*5644 and pixel size of 2.3 um.
On top of this, not only does it have a very high QE-value with a peak at about 90%, but also feature an ultra-low readout noise of 1.2e. If you are looking for a small-format monochrome camera for astrophotography, you can’t go wrong with the ASI294MM Pro.
Large well depth capacity, low read-out noise and high dynamic range.
The full well capacity of 66387e of ASI294MM Pro is near the top of all ASI DSO cameras. It ensures a very high dynamic range up to 13stops that will greatly reduce overexposure probability and help gain richer color gradation.
When the gain value is 120, the magical HCG high gain mode is turned on, the readout noise will be largely decreased (as low as 1.2e), and the dynamic range is basically unchanged.
Unlocked Bin1 Mode
Yet another perk of the ASI294MM Pro is that the pixel size is switchable – the default setting is Bin2, but you can switch to Bin1 anytime in your astrophotography software. This changes the pixel size into 2.3um and increases resolution to 8288×5644. This is what we called “Unlocked Bin1 Mode”. The ability to unlock bin1-mode was a popular request from our customers. Of course we listened to you and worked quickly to make it possible.
Remember that using Bin1-mode will decrease the full well capacity compared to the standard bin2-mode.
Unlocked Bin1: 12bit ADC, 2.3um pixel size, 47 megapixels, 8288*5644 resolution, 14k full well capacity.
Bin2 (The default mode): 14bit ADC, 4.6um pixel size, 11.7 megapixels, 4144*2822 resolution, 66k full well capacity.
You can learn the more differences between unlocked Bin1 and Bin2 modes by comparing the performance charts.
If the sampling accuracy you get with the 2.3um pixel size falls within a reasonable range, then the unlocked Bin1 mode will help you get more object details. However, you will lose dynamic range and ADC bit depth. Also the image files you get at Bin1 will probably be around 4 times bigger than Bin2.
So in the end the unlocked Bin1 mode is double-edged, you may choose to use it or not depending on the specific circumstances during your imaging sessions.
