The ASI 533mc Pro by ZWO uses the colour version IMX533 RGGB 14bit ADC made by Sony. It is a relatively small sensor which is also controversial due to the sensor being square-shaped rather than the usual 4:3 rectangular shape.
This camera only comes in the Cooled variant and is in colour (OSC) and Mono version which has recently been released. This review is based on the colour version of this camera. This Camera is designed for beginners just taking the first steps into dedicated Imaging through to seasoned pros with one of the rewards of the camera being NO AMP GLOW! The cost of this unit is £899 which is between the cost of the ZWO ASI183mc pro and the ZWO ASI 294mc pro (Price range is kept with relevant camera configuration and would be unfair to compare the colour version with the monochrome version as naturally monochrome are more expensive) not cheap but by far not the most expensive. It comes with
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The ZWO ASI 533mc Pro comes with a 3008*3008 resolution which gives just over 9MP with a pixel size of 3.76um at 20 frames a second in 14bit mode, while it is not the highest MP throughout the range, it does produce quality pictures nevertheless and can stand on its own when it comes to Deep Space Objects (DSO).
The sensor is only 11.31*11.31mm, while this does not add up to the 1inch (near 10mm short), it is most likely the overall sensor chipset and its frame rather than just the sensor. In essence – it is a small sensor
The camera’s dimensions are
The sensor is only 11.31*11.31mm, while this does not add up to the 1inch (near 10mm short), it is most likely the overall sensor chipset and its frame rather than just the sensor. In essence – it is a small sensor
The camera’s dimensions are
- 73.5mm in length
- 78mm wide
- The thread is M42*0.75 which is 4mm in height
- From the top of the sensor to the base of the thread is 6.5mm.
- The opening for the sensor is 20mm*17mm
Connections
It uses a USB 3.0 connection giving 5Gbps of data transfer speed, which to be honest, is the standard speed nowadays. The older USB 1 and 2 are not in comparison. But some of the connection does not need fast connections and a USB 1 or 1.1 is fine in this instance, it is cheaper to buy and power (manufacture wise).
It also has a 2xUSB 2.0 hub built into the camera to allow for additional equipment like the electronic filter wheel or even the guide camera. This option can reduce dangling wires connected everywhere if required. It also has a connection to power the camera.
While other versions of cameras the cooling is optional and you do not have to power the fan if you don’t want to, the 533mc requires a power connection to use (not sure why you would use it without the cooling to be fair) and the power cable does not come in the box, you will have to buy this separately, but if you own or intend to buy the ZWO ASIAir plus at some point, this will have multiple power cables you can use. It is recommended you use a 12v power supply rather than powering through a USB (which can be powered through the ZWO ASIAir V1, Pro and Plus versions).
As with any Dedicated Astro camera, it will require a means of controlling it either through a PC with software such as NINA or the ZWO ASIAir Pro/ Plus. There is no way to control this camera (Or others like it regardless of brand) without the assistance of one or the other of the above.
It uses a USB 3.0 connection giving 5Gbps of data transfer speed, which to be honest, is the standard speed nowadays. The older USB 1 and 2 are not in comparison. But some of the connection does not need fast connections and a USB 1 or 1.1 is fine in this instance, it is cheaper to buy and power (manufacture wise).
It also has a 2xUSB 2.0 hub built into the camera to allow for additional equipment like the electronic filter wheel or even the guide camera. This option can reduce dangling wires connected everywhere if required. It also has a connection to power the camera.
While other versions of cameras the cooling is optional and you do not have to power the fan if you don’t want to, the 533mc requires a power connection to use (not sure why you would use it without the cooling to be fair) and the power cable does not come in the box, you will have to buy this separately, but if you own or intend to buy the ZWO ASIAir plus at some point, this will have multiple power cables you can use. It is recommended you use a 12v power supply rather than powering through a USB (which can be powered through the ZWO ASIAir V1, Pro and Plus versions).
As with any Dedicated Astro camera, it will require a means of controlling it either through a PC with software such as NINA or the ZWO ASIAir Pro/ Plus. There is no way to control this camera (Or others like it regardless of brand) without the assistance of one or the other of the above.
Pictures! Pictures!
The 533mc can produce some stunning pictures. With its Quality Efficiency (QE) peak at 80% and exceptionally low read noise, which can be as low as 1.0e, but realistically your gain will never be at the number required to get the read noise to 1.0. Most people will use this at unity gain, which is set at one hundred which gives the read noise of 1.5e and a full well depth of 11k, over this mark benefits are minimal. The Camera has a buffer of 256MB which is standard for most of their camera range allowing for constant fast photos being temporarily stored in this buffer while it is transferred to memory. The picture size of this camera is ~17.6MB per picture regardless of exposure time. This means the file size stays the same whether you take a 600-second exposure or 30-second exposure. Keep this in mind if you are doing shorter exposures of sub-one-minute exposures as your memory stick will fill up fast (this bares little consequence if you are transferring directly to a hard drive) often needing 20GB (sometimes more) of space for a night of imaging. As an example, my partial night of photographing NGC 7023 (IRIS Nebula) which was 480 x 30-second exposures (4hours) took 9GB of space! In comparison to a 600-second exposure over the same period which is only twenty-four pictures only takes 422.4MB. This image size is not the camera’s fault, cameras with higher MP and bigger sensors will have increased picture size. One of the big points for this camera is no amp glow. Regardless of exposure length, you will never get any amp glow with this sensor! |
COOL
The camera also has the ability for cooling from anywhere between 0c and -35c the minus 40 is on the extreme side, requires a lot of power if you are in a warm environment and is not needed. Taking the cooling down to 20 degrees below ambient temperature is ideal and I have never gone below -10c regardless of the outside temperature. It is two-stage cooling to allow effective cooling of the sensor and is extremely fast (ambient temperature-dependent) but to cool to the required temperature in warmer climates will take longer and will require more power to drop to the temperatures you want. |
Summary. Final thoughts.
This is a great little camera. Perfect for beginners and experienced people alike, the cost is comparable with its direct competition (294 and 183), produces amazing pictures and comes with nearly everything you need in the box to get started, apart from a power supply, which, holds its own pros and cons. It is cheaper to buy a power lead from your location rather than them supplying one, how many plug leads can they fit in one box? This goes with all the range and is not a downside, but something to keep in mind if this is your first time using these types of cameras.
The zero-amp glow is a definite plus and can sway people toward these newer types of sensors which remove the amp glow issues.
The downsides? There are always downsides for some – square sensors can put people off, the need for power to use the camera. But the square sensor is the main point for most people. Even the need for a PC/ mini-PC or ASIAir run the camera can put people off. But that goes with any dedicated AP camera regardless of brand and model.
This is a good starting point and even a permanent camera for any serious Astrophotographer. After all, it is only a 9Mp sensor and if you can overcome the square sensor, you will not be disappointed with this camera!
This is a great little camera. Perfect for beginners and experienced people alike, the cost is comparable with its direct competition (294 and 183), produces amazing pictures and comes with nearly everything you need in the box to get started, apart from a power supply, which, holds its own pros and cons. It is cheaper to buy a power lead from your location rather than them supplying one, how many plug leads can they fit in one box? This goes with all the range and is not a downside, but something to keep in mind if this is your first time using these types of cameras.
The zero-amp glow is a definite plus and can sway people toward these newer types of sensors which remove the amp glow issues.
The downsides? There are always downsides for some – square sensors can put people off, the need for power to use the camera. But the square sensor is the main point for most people. Even the need for a PC/ mini-PC or ASIAir run the camera can put people off. But that goes with any dedicated AP camera regardless of brand and model.
This is a good starting point and even a permanent camera for any serious Astrophotographer. After all, it is only a 9Mp sensor and if you can overcome the square sensor, you will not be disappointed with this camera!