ZWO ASI183MM Pro Cooled Monochrome CMOS Astrophotography Camera
Best high-resolution monochrome camera for serious deep-space and planetary astrophotographers.
Capture stunning celestial images with this advanced monochrome CMOS camera, ideal for both planetary and deep-space astrophotography. It boasts an exceptionally low noise level and an impressive 12 stops of dynamic range, ensuring detailed and vibrant results. Featuring a Sony back-illuminated sensor, it delivers 20.2 megapixels with precise 2.4-micron pixels for remarkable clarity. This camera is designed for serious imagers seeking high performance and excellent image quality for their astronomical pursuits.
$999.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1569
/ 2593
#1569 in Telescope Accessories
Price vs Category Average
+50%
Above average
Sensor Type
CMOS
/ CMOS
Who it's for
- Astrophotographers needing high detail and flexible cropping options
- Deep-sky imagers requiring clean, low-noise long exposures
- Narrowband specialists seeking maximum light sensitivity and efficiency
Who should skip it
- Beginners lacking precise guiding or high-quality short focal length optics
- Users with limited storage capacity or older computer hardware
- Photographers who prefer minimal post-processing calibration steps
Performance breakdown
Sensor Resolution
High pixel density captures intricate details in deep-space nebulae and galaxies.
Thermal Management
Integrated cooling effectively suppresses noise during long-exposure astrophotography sessions.
Light Sensitivity
Back-illuminated sensor architecture ensures impressive light gathering for faint celestial objects.
Dynamic Range
Twelve stops of range provide excellent contrast between bright stars and shadows.
Read Noise
Low noise floor allows for cleaner images with minimal post-processing effort.
Build Quality
Rugged aluminum construction stands up to the rigors of frequent field use.
Key Specs
Sensor Type
CMOS
Color or Mono
Monochrome
Cooled
Cooled
Mega Pixels
20.2 mp
Pixel Array
5496 x 3672
Pixel Size
2.4 microns
Dynamic Range
12 Stops
Read Noise
3e
Know before you buy
It is highly versatile and excels at both. The high frame rate is ideal for planetary imaging, while the integrated cooling system and 20.2-megapixel sensor provide the low-noise performance required for long-exposure deep-space photography.
A monochrome sensor lacks the Bayer filter found on color cameras, allowing it to capture significantly more light and detail. This makes it the preferred choice for serious astrophotographers who use narrowband filters to isolate specific wavelengths of light.
The cooling system reduces thermal noise, which is essential for long-exposure deep-space imaging. By maintaining a consistent sensor temperature, it allows you to create cleaner images with fewer artifacts, even during warmer nights.
The small 2.4-micron pixels are excellent for high-resolution imaging, particularly with telescopes that have shorter focal lengths. If you are using a telescope with a very long focal length, you may experience oversampling, so consider your focal ratio when planning your setup.
Yes, the cooling system requires a 12V DC power source to function. While the camera can connect to your computer via USB for data transfer, you will need a separate power supply to engage the cooling fan and thermoelectric cooler.
A dynamic range of 12 stops allows the camera to capture a wider spectrum of light, from the faint details in a nebula to the brighter cores of stars. This provides more flexibility during post-processing, helping you retain detail in both shadows and highlights.
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$999