The ZWO ASI533MC Pro is a cooled color astronomical camera designed for astrophotographers seeking excellent image quality in a compact format.
Available by special order—estimated delivery time: 2 to 3 weeks
CHF 688.00incl. Swiss VAT
Visit ZWO ASI533MC Pro is a cooled color astronomical camera designed for astrophotographers seeking excellent image quality in a compact format. It features a 9-megapixel Sony IMX533 BSI-CMOS sensor, in a 1″ square format, capable of producing exceptionally clean, bright, and detailed images. Its back-illuminated architecture, low readout noise, and thermoelectric cooling make it a solution particularly well-suited for imaging deep sky.
With a resolution of 3008 × 3008 pixels and a pixel size of 3.76 µm, the ASI533MC Pro offers an excellent balance between resolution, sensitivity, and field of view. Its square format is also well-suited for many astronomical objects, while the absence of amp glow greatly simplifies the processing of images taken with long exposures.
At the heart of the ASI533MC Pro is its Sony IMX533 BSI-CMOS color sensor. Thanks to its backlight technology, it offers a quantum efficiency of up to approximately 80 %. This allows a large portion of the incoming light to be used to form the image, which improves the camera's sensitivity and effectively reveals the faint signals from deep-sky objects.
The sensor has a resolution of 3008 × 3008 pixels, approximately 9 megapixels, with pixels of 3.76 µm. This configuration offers an excellent balance for astrophotography, particularly with short- and medium-focal-length telescopes. The square format also allows for natural framing of many celestial objects and provides great flexibility when processing and cropping images.
One of the major advantages of the ASI533MC Pro is its technology Zero Amp Glow. Unlike some CMOS sensors, which can exhibit unwanted glow in the corners or certain areas of the image during long exposures, the Sony IMX533 used here does not produce any distracting amp glow.
This feature is particularly useful for deep-sky imaging. It simplifies image processing and helps maintain a more uniform sky background, especially when multiple exposures are stacked to bring out the faintest details of nebulae and galaxies.
To minimize the thermal noise generated during long exposures, the camera includes a Two-stage TEC thermoelectric cooling. This allows the sensor temperature to be lowered to 35 °C below room temperature.
This system is particularly useful during long nights of observing and imaging. By maintaining a low, controlled temperature, it effectively reduces thermal noise and produces cleaner images that are easier to process. The TEC system is powered by a Dedicated 12 V / 3 A power supply, while the camera can also be powered via a 5-volt USB connection for general operation.
The ASI533MC Pro features a particularly low read noise, ranging from 1.0 to 3.8 e⁻ depending on the settings used. This low value helps preserve faint signals and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, which is essential when imaging faint astronomical objects.
The sensor is paired with a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter, providing sufficient quantization levels to accurately reproduce the various light intensities captured. The combination of low noise, good quantum efficiency, and effective cooling thus enables particularly clean acquisitions.
With its interface USB 3.0, the ASI533MC Pro can reach up to 20 frames per second at full resolution. This speed is particularly useful for rapid shooting and Live View sequences. A 256 MB DDR3 buffer allows data to be temporarily stored before it is transferred to the computer, helping to streamline data acquisition and minimize the risk of losing images.
The camera also features a USB 2.0 hub as well as a ST4 autoguide mount, which makes it easy to connect various accessories to the astrophotography setup. Its main thread M42 × 0.75 and the included M48 and T2 adapters make it easy to integrate into a wide range of setups.
With a diameter of approximately 78 mm and a modest weight of just 470 g, the ASI533MC Pro can be easily mounted on a wide variety of telescopes and mounts. It is designed to operate within a temperature range of –5 °C to +45 °C.
The camera comes with a complete set of accessories, including the USB cables, M42/M48/T2 adapters, an anti-fog ring, a carrying case, and a manual. Once the ZWO drivers are installed, it can be quickly integrated into an existing astrophotography setup.
| Features | ZWO ASI533MC Pro |
|---|---|
| Type | Cooled color camera |
| Sensor | Sony IMX533 1-inch Color BSI-CMOS |
| Resolution | 3008 × 3008 pixels – 9 MP |
| Pixel size | 3.76 µm |
| Quantum efficiency | Approximately 80 % |
| A/D converter | 14 bits |
| Playback noise | 1.0 to 3.8 e⁻ |
| Amp Glow | Zero Amp Glow |
| Cooling | 2-stage TEC, down to –35 °C |
| Maximum speed | 20 FPS at full resolution |
| Buffer memory | 256 MB DDR3 |
| Interface | USB 3.0 + USB 2.0 hub |
| Self-steering | Port ST4 |
| Thread | M42 × 0.75 |
| Weight | 470 g |
| TEC Power Supply | 12 V / 3 A |
Visit ZWO ASI533MC Pro It is therefore an excellent solution for astrophotographers who want to capture high-quality color images with a relatively compact setup. Its 9 MP Sony IMX533 sensor, its high quantum efficiency, low noise, cooling capacity of up to 35 °C below ambient temperature, and its technology Zero Amp Glow make it a particularly effective camera for long exposures. Combined with its USB 3.0 interface, 256 MB buffer, and wide range of accessories, it offers a comprehensive and versatile solution for imaging deep sky.
Documentation and Compatibility: ZWO official data sheet.
