Product Description
Astrophotography Performance
ASI224MC has a 1/3″ and 1.2M pixels sensor IMX224 with SONY Exmor and NIR Technology. It has extremely low read noise and high sensitivity, especially in IR range of the spectrum. Read Noise of ASI224 is less than 1e which can compare with sCMOS or EMCCD sensors. This camera is very suitable for astronomy planetary and small DSO imaging.
High QE
Regarding the relative QE Curve, we estimate the Peak Value should between 75%-80%.
PCB Version1.3 (include Anti-amp glow function)
Most sensors will have amp-glow problem only if you do long-time exposure capture, such as longer than 1s.
We apply “amp glow reduction technology” to our ASI224MC and ASI224MC-C camera, it is a hardware modification to reduce the amp-glow of the sensor. Not every sensor can benefit from this modification, but it is beneficial for ASI224MC, so this upgrade is specifically implemented for ASI224MC and ASI224MC-C.
We made this change since April 2016, which means the current unit s(ASI224MC and ASI224MC-C) that we produce, are all equipped with the newest PCB version —V1.3.
USB 3.0 Port & ST4 Port
USB 3.0 Port: Can provide 5Gb bandwidth to let ASI224 run at 64fps (12bit, normal mode) or 150 fps (10bit, high speed mode) at full resolution(1.2Mega).
ST4 Port: Can be used connect with auto guide port of mount, for guiding.
Mechanical Diagram
What is in the box?
Reference Images:
Camera technical details
Sensor: 1/3” CMOS IMX224/IMX225
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1304X976
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Sensor Size: 4.8mm*3.6mm
Diagonal: 6.09mm
Exposure Range: 32µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
Non-volatile memory/On camera storage: Build-in total 192K byte user-accessible space(image size up to 480X320)
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Binning: 2×2 binning supported
Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: AR coated window
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output(12bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimensions: 62 mm Diameter
Weight:100g
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Supported resolution
10bit ADC / 12bit ADC
1304×976 150fps / 64fps
1280×960 152.4fps / 65fps
800×600 241.2fps / 102.9fps
640×480 299.4fps / 127.6fps
320×240 577.9fps / 256.4fps
More resolutions can be user defined
Our website is continuously 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 have been installed before you start shooting:
It is also recommended to read the Manuals first before shooting.
Shipping & Delivery
Fast Shipping: we will choose DHL, UPS, FedEx etc to deliver it. Usually you will get your package within 15-20 days.
- Fast Shipping(amount ≧ 199USD) for free
- Fast Shipping(amount < 199USD) : $30.00 (We do not provide free shipping from now on.)
Introduction
- It will take around 60-90 days for shipment via ePacket/China Post Registered Air Mail/EMS, which can’t be guaranteed due to force majeure. If you can’t get the air mail package after 2months, please let us know ASAP: info@zwoptical.com
- Customers from Brazil and Chile should leave a message to provide your CPF or CNPJ as your custom needs it.
- Customers from Russia need to provide the complete English name with three words as well as the English shipping address.
Tracking site
DGM: http://webtrack.dhlglobalmail.com/?locale=en-US
China air mail: http://www.17track.net/en
Tax
- The price list on our website is USD without tax.
- Please note that buyers are liable to pay tax involved, such as Import tax, VAT , customs handling fee, etc. The additional fees may be collected at time of delivery by courier.
- For best local service we advise customers buy our cameras from local dealers.
Warranty & Return
1. ZWO hereby declares that it will provide customers with a warranty period of 2 years for ZWO branded products (excluding APO), as per this policy. APO products will be covered by a 1-year free warranty service, starting from the day following the receipt of the product by the customer. For ASIAIR Plus users, the warranty period will commence from the day of device activation.
2. If a User encounters the following Dead on Arrival (DOA) and contacts ZWO within the corresponding time limit to issue the Product purchase invoice and relevant evidence, ZWO will provide door-to-door pick-up service and, as appropriate, after-sale replacement (or partial replacement), repair or return (or partial return) service for the following Products:
1) Product quality problem
Provided that a User detects a quality problem and contacts ZWO within 30 days after receipt of the Products, and ZWO support team confirms that the Products indeed have a quality problem or defect after their inspection, ZWO will provide free replacement service towards such Products;
2) Product transportation problem
Provided that a User finds obvious signs of bubbling, serious overstocking, or deformation on the outer package of the Products upon receipt of the Products, and provides ZWO with pictures of the outer package and proof of receipt within 3 days after receipt of such Products, ZWO support team will verify the actual shipper and determine the responsible party for such transportation problem. In the event that ZWO is the actual shipper, ZWO will be responsible for providing the relevant return or replacement service, however, if the Products are directly sold or transported to the User by an agent of ZWO, the agent will be responsible for providing the relevant return or replacement service.
3. If the Products are under the following circumstances, they are not within the scope of warranty service, ZWO may provide maintenance services to the Users:
1) The Warranty Period of the Products has expired; or
2) The Products are injected into liquid or affected by moisture or corrosion; or
3) The Products are damaged by an external force (such as the broken of the camera protection window glass, the deformation of the product shell, the broken of the USB port, etc.); or
4) Disassembling, repairing by a third party, refurbishment of the Products (such as downloading erroneous firmware) without the written authorization of ZWO; or
5) The product system is modified, or the maintenance notice is lost or changed; or
6) Product quality problem caused by installation not following the requirements or instructions for the Products; or
7) Physical damage or failure of the Products caused by the force majeure (such as strong vibration or extrusion such as flood, fire, earthquake, or thunder stroke); or
8)Damage caused by the improper User operation during the period of shooting or use, such as using without the equipment protection or direct shooting of the sun; or
9) No valid purchase invoice or warranty certificate; or
10) The Products are second-hand products.
Any quality problem with the accessories or other parts of the Products is not a condition for the return or change of the Products, and the User may solely request to replace the accessories with new ones, which shall be handled after verification by ZWO support team.
If the issue with your ZWO product was caused by certain damage (such as severe damage not covered by the 2-year warranty), you might have to pay the replacement value.
4. For the normal repair or replacement of the Products during the Warranty Period, the User will bear the return cost. When returning the Products, Users shall specify the actual reasons for the damage to the Products, and shall provide the corresponding valid certificates, such as pictures or videos, etc.
For the Products that need to be replaced after being confirmed by ZWO in writing, the User shall return the Products with the complete package, together with all accessories, manuals, etc., to the address designated by ZWO.
By sending back the product to ZWO, the User agrees to pay out-of-warranty fees that may arise during the repair process of the product. ZWO will send back the product after charging.
5. If a User encounters any problem during the use of ZWO Products, you may at any time contact ZWO for technical support via ZWO Support.
For the Products that need to be returned for after-sales service, ZWO will provide the corresponding RMA code for reference.
ZWO will not accept any products having no RMA code that have been returned privately without ZWO written confirmation.
6. If a User purchases the ZWO Products from a ZWO agent, the User may contact the ZWO agent directly for the relevant after-sales service.
HIROYUKI (verified owner) – :
Hello.
I want to use this camera for live viewing and lucky imaging of double stars and small bright DSO. Is the ZWO software suitable for these purposes? Is there any other better software?
And I want to know the reason why you recommend 55 mn back focus length for ZWO cameras. May shorter length cause any serious problems?
Thank you.
0
0
Support@ZWO – :
55mm is recommended for DSO Cooled cameras. 224MC is planetary camera, there is no need to refer to 55mm.
0
0
deepa mohan – :
I connected the ASi224MC camera to my celestron evolution 8 this way – Removed the 40mm lens, inserted the nose-piece that came with the camera and then inserted the camera+camera lens into it. Connected the USB to my PC. I could open the ASICap studio sw on my mac. Turned on the camera using the ‘Play button’ I could see a blue X mark. I had focussed on the moon with my lens before I removed it and inserted the camera. I could not see anything in my display window. What am I doing wrong?
0
0
Support@ZWO – :
Please make sure 55mm is met.
The best solution of 55mm back focus length for your reference
0
0
Yujin – :
I have tried to install driver for asi244mc but I failed several times. It said the driver is not detected even I installed manually. My pc is working by window 10 OS. What is the problem? How do I solve this problem? The driver was the newest one downloaded today from ZWO.
0
0
ZWO.Moson – :
Did you install the camera driver correctly rather than other drivers? And use our own ASIStudio software.
0
0
Rennmaus – :
Free shipping to Germany?
0
0
ZWO.Moson – :
Yes.
1
0
Rennmaus – :
Is wondows 10 supportet? I ask because sometime it means yes but sometimes also no.
0
0
ZWO.Moson – :
Yes, the Windows 10 support ASI224MC, you need update the camera driver.
There is the link for your reference: https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-drivers
1
0
Piotr – :
Hi,
Can I use a longer USB cable like a 5 metres?
Regards
0
0
ZWO.Moson – :
Sorry we do not recommend you use longer USB cable.
0
0
Michael Brewer – :
Hello,
What is the backorder wait time if I order the ASI224MC today (7\28\20)?
Thank you for your time.
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
Sorry, the info did not update, you can place an order now, we have many in stock.
0
0
Farshad – :
I captured a video with my recently purchased asi224mc and I see an un-natural dim pattern (horizontal and vertical lines making little squares) all over the frames. what is that!?
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
You can send us the image with fits format and screenshot via Dropbox or Google Drive link to support@zwoptical.com to show it. Thank you in advance!
0
0
Burl Don – :
I am novice in doing astrophotography and this appears to be a good introductory camera. I have a celestron 1100 CPC with alt/az mount–I understand this would work for planetary and moon photography–could it work for doing brighter deep space objects without having to add a wedge to get a polar alignment? I could add a focal reducer to concentrate the light for less exposure time–also, do you recommend a book or good article for introduction to astrophotography for dummies–basic stuff–thank you.
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
I will recommend you to add a wedge.
Sorry I donot have but you can search tutorials on youtube or facebook.
0
0
PC Games – :
Nice site!
0
0
ZWO ASI Camera – :
Thanks
0
0
Mariachiara Spaccini – :
hello! has the 224mc the ir-cut filter or have i to buy it separately?
0
0
ZWO ASI Camera – :
sorry，you could buy the ir-cut filter.
0
0
drobik009 – :
Hello!
What active cooling system can be connected to this camera?
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
Sorry I do not know.:(
0
0
alexgatier (verified owner) – :
Hello! I have bought this camera in november 2017 (order #8692) on your website, and I would like to know if my camera include the PCB Version1.3 modification please? Is there any way to be sure (serial number maybe?)
thanks for your answer
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
You can open the camera cover to see the version number in the PCB board.
0
0
Bryan DeMarcy – :
I’m trying to find a camera to use for my outreach efforts. Since I’m mostly working with kids (ages 6 – 18), I’d like to focus mostly on planetary and lunar imaging. Would this be a good camera for my CPC 800 GPS alt-azimuth telescope? I’d also like to use the camera with a gradient filter and RSpec software to take spectra of stars. Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
224MC is a good camera for planetary imaging.
We are not sure if is suitable to take spectra of stars.
0
0
Marion Recane – :
Maybe dumb question…but is the supplied 1.25″ nose piece all that is required to install on Celestron EdgeHD 1100?
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
The Celestron EdgeHD 1100 provide 1.25″ interface, right?
If yes, they will fit.
0
0
Travis Higgerson – :
Does it support windows RT?
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
Yes it does.
0
0
Sławomir Maślisz – :
Thank you Katherine. Will i lose a warranty if I open the cover?
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
It will not affect the warranty.
0
0
Sławomir Maślisz – :
Sorry Katherine but I dont understand your answer in terms of PCB version. If you are saying I should see it tgrough protection glass there is nothing like this visibile on my camera. Camera was bought from the local seller who ordered new delivery from ZWO in November 2018. I just want to make sure my camera support PCB 1.3 and I don’t see how to prove it.
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
You could open the upper cover of the camera to make sure the PCB version. The version number is written on the board.
For 224, the 1.3 version is the latest version.
0
0
Sławomir Maślisz – :
Can you please be more specyfic? Are you saying I shuld see PCB 1.3 description tgrough protection glass in asi224? Thank you
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
Yes, it is the latest version of PCB.
0
0
Slawek – :
Hello, I’m trying to connect my asi224 and asi1600mm pro with samsung sm-t230 (android ver 4.4.2) using ASICAP apk but without success. Android does not recognize a camera. Android 6 works fine. How to fix it ? Thanks
0
0
Katherine Tsai – :
May be it is caused by insufficient power supply on the USB port of the mobile phone. Please try using a usb hub with power supply.
0
0