Product Description
Camera Sensor
The ASI120MM Mini camera integrates the AR0130CS 1/3″ sensor (4.8 mm x 3.6 mm). It is a new model in the “mini”-series of cameras from ZWO. This camera has 1280 x 960 pixels with a pixel size of 3.75 μm x 3.75 μm. It provides 12-bit ADC and the QE peak is almost 80%.
Astrophotography Performance
The ASI120 mini-camera offers you very good performance for planetary imaging as well as for guiding. Low read noise, high dynamic range, AR protective window and much more are just some of the key characteristics that set it apart from the competition.
High QE
Regarding the absolute QE Curve, we estimate the Peak Value to be almost 80%.
120Mini VS 120MM-S
Compared with the ASI120MM-S camera, the new 120-Mini has a sleeker design, less weight, and it can reach focus at the same position as an eyepiece.
USB2.0Port & ST4 Port
USB 2.0 Port: Mini camera has one USB2.0 type-C port. Type-C port is very popular in mobile phones, as it doesn’t matter which way you connect it (unlike for example type-A or type-B)
ST4 Port: The camera can be connected directly to the auto-guider port of the mount.
Connecting Drawing
- M28.5-CS adapter
- CS-C adapter
- 1.25″ extender
- 1.25″ filter
Mechanical Drawing
What is in the box?
ASI mini camera box includes all necessary cables, adapters, and manuals.
Drivers and Softwares:
Our website is always updated with the most recent camera drivers as well as software for DSO and planetary imaging. Please make sure the most recent driver and software has been installed before you start shooting:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software/
ASI120, ASI174 and ASI290 mini camera have very beautiful outlooks, small size, light weight, this is not a big deal.
We should consider much more…
ASI120, ASI174 and ASI290 mini-cameras all have an appealing design, small size, light weight and much more. And while we are very pleased with the looks of our products, of course what matters the most is how well they perform in their intended use…
How to choose a good guide camera?
Many people might mention the size, ability to fit with different types of equipment (guide scopes, OAG etc.), stability and ease-of-use.
We agree. That is why our cameras in the “mini”-series all fulfill these, what we think are, basic characteristics of a good guide camera.
But what are truly the most important traits. Let’s face it, when you set up your equipment for a night of imaging, you just want things to work and to see that smooth graph on your guiding software before you start your imaging sequence. In order to do that, there are some things to consider (apart from the points mentioned above):
- Sensitivity,
- Precise guiding,
- Big FOV.
High Sensitivity
Sensitivity is the first thing we considered. This is of course a crucial ability when looking for a star to guide on. So, from the beginning, we were set on using monochrome sensors to design our guide cameras. Because monochrome sensors have much higher sensitivity than their colour counterpart. Luckily the ASI120MM Mini, ASI290MM Mini and ASI174MM Mini all have very high QE peak value – about 80%, which can detect more stars in view and shorten the exposure time in guiding.
Each of the cameras have their own strength and depending on what you value in a guide camera, one might be better for you than the others.
Entry Level
ASI120MM Mini is designed for newcomers, it is more affordable than ASI290MM Mini and ASI174MM Mini. You can easily get the well-sampled stars with the help of ASI120MM Mini. It’s light, compact and robust. If you are still wondering about which one you should choose as your first guide camera, the ASI120MM Mini is a very good choice.
Precisely Guiding
ASI290MM Mini is designed for precise guiding. The 2.9um pixel size gives you a higher arcsec/pixel than the ASI224 or ASI120 camera. This means that, in the same guide scope, the ASI290MM Mini can detect movement of stars to a higher degree than the other cameras. ASI290MM Mini will improve your guiding precision with around 30% compared to the ASI120MM Mini.
Big FOV
ASI174MM Mini is designed for large field-of-view guiding. This is very useful when looking for a star to guide on, using an OAG. When you use an OAG-guider with a Ritchey-Chretien or Schmit-Cassegrain telescope, the hardest part is to find a suitable guide star. ASI174MM Mini has a larger 1/1.2″ sensor which means your FoV is 4 times bigger than that of the ASI120MM Mini.
Smiling Face
If you squint your eyes, the back of the ASI mini-camera looks like a smiling face (albeit you have to squint quite hard). On the back you will find a type-C USB port, which is widely used in mobile phones. The ST4-port is used for auto-guiding on mounts. So if you are having one of those observing nights when Murphy’s law is by your side, at least you’ll have an excellent guide camera (that smiles at you).
Focus like a eyepiece
ASI mini camera can focus at the same position as an eyepiece. This means that you can focus with an eyepiece, and then directly insert the ASI mini camera into 1.25″ holder – focus done!
Work with OAG
The Mini-camera series are well suited for OAG use: They have a much bigger focus range than normal ASI cameras. No more worrying about your guide camera and main camera not being able to find focus at the same time.
Work with CS adapter and CS lens
Work with 1.25″ extender
ASI 120mini camera is available now! You can buy it form us or our dealers! Wish you all have clear skies!
Review：
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/589232-zwo-290mm-mini-guidecam-beta-test-thread/
Blake – :
Hi, what is the maximum amperage draw the camera can use? I am going to be plugging it into a usb hub and am making sure there will be enough power for all my devices. Should I assume the camera will always use the maximum of 500mA at 5V from its host?
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Moson – :
Yes, you could assume the camera will always use the maximum of 500mA at 5V from its host. And it’s OK to use no more than 500mA at 5A.
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Craig Canubida – :
Can the ASI 120 mini fit into the ZWO 60mm guide scope? and also what would you recommend using for guiding, 120 mini with the ZWO 60mm or the ZWO mini guide scope? thanks
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Moson – :
The ASI 120 mini can fit into the ZWO 60mm guide scope.
Both ZWO 60mm and ZWO mini guide scope can be used for guiding with 120 mini.
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Chris – :
I purchased the ZWO ASI120MM mini for guiding. When I attach it to my guide scope which is a Altair MG32 Guide Scope, I can’t get it to focus at all. Also, when I try to run PHD2 with the camera, all I receive from the loop is a white screen, exposure time doesn’t affect it really or gamma slider
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Moson – :
You could adjust the helical focuser at the front of the guide scope to get focus. Or try to pull out the camera a little.
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Coach Craig – :
Hello,
Will the ZWO ASI120MM Mini fit directly into the ZWO mini guide scope? I want to use it as guide scope for my Sky watcher Esprit 120. And will it need any extra accessories? Thanks
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Moson – :
Yes,the ASI120MM Mini can fit directly into the ZWO mini guide scope.All the accessories you need are in the package.
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Philippe – :
Hello,
When this camera is used as a guiding camera with Zwo OAG, does it require the 5mm adaptor ?
Furthermore, can the Zwo 1,25” helical focuer be used in order to precisely focus the camera ?
Thx
Philippe
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Moson – :
Yes, it requires 1.25″ extender and 1.25″ helical focuser can be used to precisely focus the camera.
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Antonio Mario – :
Hi,
Can the 120mm-mini be directly used with the Orion Mini 50mm Guide Scope?
Thank you.
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Katherine Tsai – :
ASI120MM mini provide 1.25″ interface.
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Berndt v. d. Werff – :
What do I need to upgrade the firmware for the ASI120MM Mini… the software “fwupdate” not include the image for the camera.
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Katherine Tsai – :
Could you send a screenshot of this problem and send it to support@zwoptical.com?
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Michael Hettrick – :
Still no reply to my question posted here on June 9 (7 weeks ago), regarding the dark current of ASI120MM-mini.
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Katherine Tsai – :
Sorry for the late reply, you can check the message now.
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Patxi-Xabier Garate – :
Is it compatible with Kstars + Indi + Ekos?
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Katherine Tsai – :
yes
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Michael Hettrick – :
What is the dark current of this sensor ? (a graph of electrons/sec/pixel as a function of temperature would be ideal; if this is unavailable, then the electrons/sec/pixel at a single temperature would be better than no info.)
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Katherine Tsai – :
The dark current is related to the temperature and expsure time, ASI120 is not a cooled camera and it is meaningless to talk about the dark current.
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LarryS – :
Is this guiding camera compatible with the iOptron SkyGuider Pro mount?
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Katherine Tsai – :
Yes it is compatible.
As long as the mount support Guiding.
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Peter – :
Hi, I plan to buy the 150deg lens to my 120mm mini. Does it fit also in an 1.25 draw tube? In case I’d check the primary – secondary alignment through the camera view?
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Sean Wang – :
120mini camera can work with a 150deg lens, there is a CS adapter in camera box. and our 150deg lens diameter is smaller than 1.25″, so you could put it into 1.25 draw tube.
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Minos – :
Still doesn’t work with Android ASICAP. It sees the camera but when you tap preview, it says INVALID INDEX.
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Sean Wang – :
please send us a email to support(at)zwoptical.com
I will let our engineer help you.
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JV – :
Does the note “Our ASI120MM/MC camera is not compatible very well with Linux” also apply to the mini version?
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Sam Wen – :
no, Mini works well on all platform
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Janx – :
Is this camera supported by ASIAIR?
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Sean Wang – :
Yes.
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Jim Miller – :
Has anyone been able to get this camera to work with PHD2 for guiding? Which driver should I use and what gain settings? I get nothing but noise. The camera works fine with Sharpcap.
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Sean Wang – :
Hi Jim
I suggest you use Sharpcap to focus and find out exposure and gain settings. Then set them into PHD2. You can use native driver or ASCOM driver in PHD2, they both fine.
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minoskritikos (verified owner) – :
Great stuff! All the best
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Sean Wang – :
thank you!
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minoskritikos (verified owner) – :
Neither does android asicap
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Sean Wang – :
Oh,we will support it in next version.
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minoskritikos (verified owner) – :
I just received my asi120mm mini, many thanks!
Having installed the latest native drivers and ascom drivers from your page, I’d like to report that phd2 doesn’t currently recognise the asi120mm mini native driver, only through ascom. Sharpcap recognises both.
Thanks
Minos
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Sean Wang – :
We will send a email to PHD team, tell them to release a new version.
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Sean Wang – :
Hi, Minoskritikos. This version support mini cameras. https://openphdguiding.org/development-snapshots/
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SMorgan – :
This camera is listed as mono, but the specs say it uses a color sensor, “AR0130CS(Color)”. Is this an error?
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Sean Wang – :
Yap, Thanks for remind me. I modified the description.
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