ZWO ASI 678 MC Color Astro Camera – uncooled astrophotography
The ZWO ASI 678 MC Color Astro Camera is a high-resolution color camera with 2.0 µm pixels and high near-infrared sensitivity. It is a good choice whenever high frame rates, a steady image and straightforward operation are more important than active cooling.
What is this camera suited for?
With its Sony IMX678 / ASI 678, it is designed for Moon, planets and selected deep-sky targets. The uncooled design keeps the camera compact and quick to set up. For long deep-sky exposures, a cooled camera is usually preferable; for the Moon, planets, guiding and many EAA applications, this model is especially practical.
Key features
| Series / sensor | Sony IMX678 / ASI 678 |
|---|---|
| Camera type | Color |
| Cooling | uncooled, passive heat dissipation |
| Typical applications | Moon, planets and selected deep-sky targets |
| Connection | USB camera with autoguider/ST4 support depending on model |
The camera works with the relevant ZWO software and common capture applications. For solar imaging, use it only with a suitable solar filter mounted in front of the telescope.
CMOS sensor in detail
The ASI 678 MC uses the back-illuminated Sony IMX678. With 2 µm pixels and 3840 × 2160 pixels, it provides a finely detailed color image and is particularly well suited to lunar and planetary imaging as well as EAA. High sensitivity and low read noise help make effective use of short exposures.
Sensor specifications
| Sensor | Sony IMX678 Color CMOS |
|---|---|
| Sensor format | 1/1.8 inch; 7.68 × 4,32 mm |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 pixels / 8.29 MP |
| Pixel size | 2 µm |
| ADC / read noise | 12 bit / from approx. 0.6 e⁻ |
| Quantum efficiency | approx. 83 % |
| Full-well capacity | approx. 11.27 ke⁻ |
| Frame rate | up to 47,5 fps |
| Exposure time | 32 µs up to 2000 s |
| Connection | USB 3.0 |
These figures help when choosing the right focal length and imaging method. Especially with small pixels, the actual level of detail depends on the combination of telescope, seeing and image scale. For solar imaging, always use a suitable solar filter mounted in front of the telescope.
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