ZWO ASI 2600 MC-Duo (SKU: ZWO ASI2600MC-Duo)

available from June 2023

The ASI2600MC Duo is a remarkable device that seamlessly combines imaging and guiding sensors within a compact body. With its innovative features and impressive specifications, it offers astrophotographers a powerful tool for capturing stunning celestial images. Let's delve into the key highlights of this exceptional camera.

The main sensor of the ASI2600MC Duo is the Sony IMX571, renowned for its exceptional performance. With a native 16-bit ADC and a dynamic range of 14 stops, this sensor ensures sharp and contrast-rich images. The square pixel array of 3.76um provides excellent image resolution, while the incredibly low readout noise of just 1.0e enhances image clarity. Moreover, the sensor's full well capacity reaches an impressive level of 73ke, allowing for precise capture of intricate details. An added advantage is that the ASI2600MC Duo eliminates amp glow, a common issue in traditional CMOS sensors, ensuring clean images even during high-gain, long-exposure imaging.

The ASI2600MC Duo also incorporates a guide sensor, the Type 1/1.8 SC2210, which offers exceptional NIR sensitivity. With a sensor size of 7.68mm x 4.32mm and 4umx4um pixels arranged in a 1920×1080 array, this guide sensor provides accurate guiding capabilities. While stars located in the corners of guide images affected by reducers' back focus distance may not appear perfectly round, this effect is not due to sensor tilt and does not impact normal usage.

One of the notable advantages of the ASI2600MC Duo is its two-in-one design. Its compact form factor eliminates the need for additional cables and simplifies setup. With just one USB cable for control, potential cabling issues are minimized, and setup speeds are improved. This design also eliminates the requirement for a separate Off-Axis Guider (OAG) and guide camera, further streamlining the astrophotography process.

To facilitate easy tilt adjustment, the ASI2600MC Duo offers a rear tilt adjustment feature (optional). With three adjustable points at the rear, users can conveniently make tilt adjustments without the need to remove the tilt plate from the camera.

The guide sensor in the ASI2600MC Duo is the SC2210, inherited from the ASI220MM Mini camera. This guide sensor boasts high sensitivity, with a peak Quantum Efficiency (QE) value of 92% at 500nm. Additionally, it features impressively low readout noise of only 0.6e. The SC2210 has proven its reliability in guiding through the positive feedback received from numerous astrophotographers.

The main sensor, IMX571, is designed with an APS-C format and a total pixel count of 26MP. With a size of 23.5mm in width x 15.7mm in height and a diagonal measurement of 28.3mm, this sensor accommodates small 3.76um x 3.76um pixels while offering a remarkable full well depth of 50ke. Recent advancements in hardware technology have extended the full well capacity to an incredible 73ke.

The ASI2600MC Duo incorporates Sony's STARVIS technology, which enhances sensitivity and reduces noise. This back-illuminated CMOS image sensor significantly contributes to improving image quality, making it an ideal choice for astrophotography.

The camera's performance is further enhanced by its native 16-bit ADC, offering a genuine dynamic range output of 14 stops. This feature enhances image sharpness, contrast, and color transitions, resulting in smoother and more natural-looking images.

With a maximum Frames Per Second (FPS) of 15 in RAW 8 mode at full resolution, the ASI2600MC Duo boasts impressive speed. In fact, it outperforms the ASI2600MC Pro in terms of FPS, making it a versatile and efficient imaging tool.

The full well capacity of the ASI2600MC Duo is extended to 73ke, providing 1.46 times more capacity than the ASI2600MC Pro. This expansion ensures the camera's ability to capture a wide range of signal intensities accurately.

Equipped with USB 3.0 and a 512MB DDR3 buffer, the ASI2600MC Duo ensures stable and secure data transmission, effectively preventing frame-dropping issues during long exposures.

An excellent feature of the ASI2600MC Duo is its elimination of amp glow, commonly observed in traditional CMOS sensors. The camera employs zero-amp glow circuitry, allowing users to capture images with high gain and long exposures without worrying about this unwanted artifact.

Based on extensive testing, the ASI2600MC Duo achieves a QE peak value of over 91%, indicating its efficiency in capturing photons.

The ASI2600MC Duo incorporates a two-stage Thermo-Electric Cooling (TEC) system, effectively reducing the CMOS sensor's temperature by more than 35 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature. This cooling mechanism greatly minimizes dark current generation and sensor noise, even during extended exposure times. It is worth noting that the Delta T value of 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature and may vary during long cooling periods or as the ambient temperature decreases.

To combat dew or icing issues that may occur in different environmental conditions, the ASI2600MC Duo features a polyimide heater that fits perfectly over the protective window. This heater, with a power rating of approximately 5W, helps prevent unwanted dew formation. Users have the flexibility to disable the heater in their photography software to conserve power if desired.

In conclusion, the ASI2600MC Duo offers astrophotographers a powerful all-in-one imaging and guiding solution. With its impressive specifications, advanced features, and compact design, this camera simplifies the astrophotography workflow while delivering outstanding image quality. Whether capturing breathtaking celestial landscapes or conducting precise guiding operations, the ASI2600MC Duo is a reliable companion for capturing the wonders of the universe.