ZWO ASI 715 MC Color Astro Camera – uncooled astrophotography
The ZWO ASI 715 MC Color Astro Camera is a compact color camera with very small pixels for detailed planetary imaging. 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 IMX715 / ASI 715, it is designed for Moon, planets and small deep-sky objects. 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 IMX715 / ASI 715 |
|---|---|
| Camera type | Color |
| Cooling | uncooled, passive heat dissipation |
| Typical applications | Moon, planets and small deep-sky objects |
| 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 Sony IMX715 is a back-illuminated STARVIS 2 CMOS sensor with very small 1.45 µm pixels. With 3864 × 2192 pixels, the ASI 715 MC delivers 8.46 megapixels and is particularly well suited to finely detailed lunar and planetary imaging. The small pixels can provide high detail even without an additional Barlow lens when focal length and seeing match the telescope.
Sensor specifications
| Sensor | Sony IMX715 Color CMOS, STARVIS 2 |
|---|---|
| Sensor format | 1/2,8 inch; 5.6 × 3,2 mm |
| Resolution | 3864 × 2192 pixels / 8,46 MP |
| Pixel size | 1,45 µm |
| ADC / read noise | 12 bit / from approx. 0.72 e⁻ |
| Quantum efficiency | approx. 80 % |
| Full-well capacity | approx. 6,03 ke⁻ |
| Frame rate | up to 45,1 fps |
| Exposure time | 32 µs up to 2000 s |
| Features | ROI, HCG mode und no visible amp glow |
| Protective window | AR-coated, voller IR-Durchlass |
| Connection | USB 3.0; ST4 guiding |
The back-illuminated structure, high sensitivity and low read noise make it possible to use short exposures and capture many individual frames. This is the basis for lucky imaging and steady, detailed planetary images. For long deep-sky exposures, an actively cooled camera is usually the better choice.
The protective window also transmits infrared. A suitable UV/IR-cut filter is therefore useful for natural color images; an IR-pass filter can be used when imaging deliberately in near infrared. For solar imaging, always use a suitable solar filter mounted in front of the telescope.
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