CHF 1'799
In stock with supplier
Visit ZWO ASI2600MC Duo is a particularly versatile color astronomical camera, designed to simplify deep-sky astrophotography setups without compromising image quality. It combines in a single housing a 26 MP Sony IMX571 main color sensor and a SC2210 2.07 MP monochrome guidance sensor. This two-in-one design eliminates the need for a separate guide camera and optical splitter, while still providing a high-performance guidance system.
Thanks to its APS-C format, two-stage TEC cooling, 16-bit conversion, and extremely low readout noise, the ASI2600MC Duo is ideal for both astrophotographers looking to upgrade their setup and users seeking a complete solution for nebulae, galaxies, and other deep-sky objects.
The main sensor Sony IMX571 color features STARVIS technology and uses an APS-C format of 23.5 x 15.7 mm, with a diagonal measurement of 28.3 mm. Its resolution of 6248 x 4176 pixels, or 26 MP, produces highly detailed images while maintaining a field of view wide enough to photograph many deep-sky objects. Its pixels measure 3.76 µm offer an excellent balance between resolution, sensitivity, and sampling.
The camera features a 16-bit native analog-to-digital converter and offers a dynamic range of up to 14 stops. This high dynamic range allows for more accurate rendering of subtle changes in brightness and produces more natural color transitions. The camera also boasts a maximum quantum efficiency greater than 80 % for the color model.
The ASI2600MC Duo has a potential well capacity of 50 ke⁻ in standard configuration. By using a gain of -25, it can be extended up to 73 ke⁻. This increased capacity makes it possible, in particular, to better preserve highlights during long exposures and reduce the risk of saturation in the brightest areas.
Another important advantage for long-exposure astrophotography: the sensor features technology Zero Amp Glow. This eliminates the unwanted halos typically associated with certain CMOS sensors during long exposures at high gain, making it easier to process images and stack the various exposures.
The ASI2600MC Duo's most distinctive feature is its SC2210 monochrome guidance sensor. With a 1/1.8″ sensor, it offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, or 2.07 MP, with 4 µm pixels. Its sensitivity is particularly useful for guiding, with a maximum quantum efficiency of 92 % at 500 nm and high sensitivity in the near-infrared. Its readout noise can go as low as 0.6 e⁻.
Thanks to this integration, it is no longer necessary to add a separate guidance camera and OAG system. This makes the setup simpler and more compact, while a Only a USB cable can be used for control. This significantly reduces cable tangles around the telescope and speeds up the setup process for imaging sessions.
For long exposures, the camera has a two-stage TEC cooling capable of lowering the temperature of the sensor 30 to 35 °C below room temperature under the test conditions specified by ZWO. This temperature control effectively limits dark current and thermal noise, especially during observations on warm nights.
A heating element made of polyimide with a power density of approximately 5 W is also integrated into the protective glass to minimize condensation and icing. It can be disabled through the software if the user wishes to reduce energy consumption.
Data transfer is handled by an interface USB 3.0, accompanied by a 512 MB DDR3 buffer memory. This architecture makes it possible to efficiently manage the large volumes of data generated by the 26-megapixel sensor and supports a maximum frame rate of 15 frames per second in RAW8 at full resolution.
The camera also features a tilt adjustment that can be accessed from the back via three adjustment points. This makes it easier to adjust the sensor's tilt and optimize image uniformity across the entire field.
| Features | ZWO ASI2600MC Duo |
|---|---|
| Type | Cooled color camera with integrated guidance |
| Main Sensor | Sony IMX571 APS-C Color Sensor |
| Main Resolution | 26 MP – 6248 x 4176 |
| Pixel size | 3.76 µm |
| ADC | 16 bits |
| Dynamic range | Up to 14 stops |
| Well capacity | 50 ke⁻, up to 73 ke⁻ at a gain of -25 |
| Amp Glow | Zero Amp Glow |
| Guidance Sensor | SC2210 monochrome 1/1.8″ – 2.07 MP |
| QE of the guidance sensor | 92 % at 500 nm |
| Cooling | Two-stage TEC, ΔT 30 to 35 °C |
| Buffer memory | 512 MB DDR3 |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Maximum FPS | 15 FPS in RAW8 at full resolution |
| Weight | 715 g |
With its 26 MP Sony IMX571 sensor, its efficient cooling system, and above all its Integrated SC2210 guide, the ZWO ASI2600MC Duo offers a particularly comprehensive solution for deep-sky astrophotography. It significantly simplifies the setup while maintaining excellent image quality, low noise, a wide dynamic range, and efficient handling of long exposures. Its two-in-one design makes it a particularly good choice for astrophotographers who want to reduce the number of accessories and cables without sacrificing performance.
