By popular demand, we now introduce the ASI294MM, the monochrome version of the ASI294MC. Some of the highlights include:
On top of this, not only does it have a very high QE value with a peak at about 90%, but also feature an ultra-low readout noise of 1.2e. If you are looking for a small-format monochrome camera for planetary imaging, you can’t go wrong with the ASI294MM.
Sensor length*width: 19.1*13.0mm. Diagonal: 23mm.
The full well capacity of 66387e of ASI294MM is near the top of all ASI planetary cameras. It ensures a very high dynamic range of up to 13 stops that will greatly reduce the issue of overexposed images and also help to collect richer color information.
When the gain value is set to 120, the HCG high gain mode is turned on. We’re not saying it’s magic…but we’d like to think it is pretty close. With the HCG-mode turned on, the readout noise is greatly reduced, and the dynamic range is basically unchanged.
Yet another perk of the ASI294MM is that the pixel size is switchable – you can switch between unlocked Bin1 mode and Bin2 mode anytime in your astrophotography software. The unlocked Bin1 mode changes the pixel size into 2.3um and increases resolution to 8288×5644. The ability to unlock bin1-mode was a popular request from our customers. Of course we listened to you and worked quickly to make it possible.
Remember that using Bin1 mode will decrease the full well capacity compared to the standard bin2-mode.
Unlocked Bin1: 12bit ADC, 2.3um pixel size, 47 megapixels, 8288*5644 resolution, 14k full well capacity.
Bin2: 14bit ADC, 4.6um pixel size, 11.7 megapixels, 4144*2822 resolution, 66k full well capacity.
You can learn more differences between unlocked Bin1 and Bin2 modes by comparing the performance charts.
If the sampling accuracy you get with the 2.3um pixel size falls within a reasonable range, then the unlocked Bin1 mode will help you get more object details. However, you will lose dynamic range and ADC bit depth. Also the image files you get at Bin1 will probably be around 4 times bigger than Bin2.
So in the end the unlocked Bin1 mode is double-edged, you may choose to use it or not depending on the specific circumstances during your imaging sessions.
As ZWO’s latest BSI (backside illuminated type) mono camera, ASI294MM has very high QE performance, not only higher than its color version, but even ASI1600MM. It is estimated that the QE peak value is about 90%.
