ZWO ASI533MC Pro USB3.0 Cooled Color Astronomy Camera

Brand: ZWO

SKU : ZWO-ASI533MC-P

- Read
Add to Wishlist

Request stock alerts and we'll let you know when the item is back in stock

Got questions? Click for live chat

  • Plan to shoot without a light pollution filter? We recommend the ZWO 1.25" IR Cut-Off Filter
  • Cooled color CMOS astronomy camera can capture at 20 FPS.
  • Sony IMX533 1-inch square sensor.
  • 3008 x 3008 resolution.
  • 3.76 micron pixel size.
  • 1.0e low read noise.
  • Full well at 50000e.
  • QE of 80%.
  • 14-bit.

Product Details

  • The ASI533MC Pro features Sony's latest back-illuminated CMOS IMX533 sensor. Its 1-inch, square, 9.07 MP sensor is ideal for astrophotography and can be considered an iteration of the venerable ASI183MC Pro.

    This latest generation camera retains key features of the ASI183 series--such as an attractive QE figure and high frame rate--but now includes zero amp glow, extreme low readout noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 microns pixel size and an improved 2 stage TEC cooler.

    Below you'll see an incredible image of the Rosette Nebula taken by Jason Guenzel using the Triad Ultra on the super-fast f/2.2 Celestron RASA telescope and using the ZWO ASI533 Camera! 

    Jason Guenzel Nebula with RASA and Triad Ultra


    The Sony IMX533 Sensor

    The IMX533 is a 1-inch, 9 MP CMOS image sensor in a square format with a 3.76 um pixel size, capable of producing frames at 20 frames/sec in 14-bit mode. Its readout noise is as low as 1.0e which makes it comparable to SCMOS or EMCCD sensors and highly suitable for high-definition, low-noise imaging.

    Back-Illuminated Sensor Design

    Sony's back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction - the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

    With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor's light-sensitive area (photo-diode) impede photon gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.

    Sony developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieve higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current, and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

    ZWO ASI533MC - SENSOR


    Camera Performance

    Low readout noise, high dynamic range.

    ZWO ASI533MC - TABLE

    Quantum Efficiency Curve

    ZWO estimates the QE peak value is more than 80%. - (Graph from initial testing).

    ZWO ASI533 Wavelength Sensitivity


    Zero Amp Glow

    Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell-tale signs of amp glow. As the ASI533MC PRO uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won’t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

    Camera with amp glow – exposure 300-second exposure:

    Camera Exposure with Amp Glow

    ASI553 frame with no amp glow – Exposure 300 seconds:

    ZWO ASI533 No Amp Glow

    Dark Current

    ZWO-ASI533MC-Pro-DARK CURRENT


    DDR Memory Buffer

    The ASI533MC PRO is equipped with a USB 3.0 interface, and even in 14-bit mode, can reach 20 frames per second. The 256 MB DDR3 memory ensures stable downloading of frames with increased USB speeds.

    ZWO ASI533 IMX533 Sensor


    ASI533MC Pro vs. ASI183MC Pro Comparison

    ZWO ASI533 Spec Chart

    Mechanical Diagram

     ZWO ASI533 Mechanical Drawing

    ZWO-AC-DC12V5A = American Standard.


  • specifications

    ADC14 bit
    Back Focus6.5 mm
    Camera ConnectionM42 x 0.75
    Color or MonoColor
    CooledCooled
    Delta T35C
    Dynamic Range13.7 Stops
    Free ShippingYes
    Full Rez Frame Rate20fps
    Full Well50ke
    Mega Pixels9 mp
    Peak QE80%
    Pixel Array3008 x 3008
    Pixel Size3.76 microns
    Protect WindowD32 2 AR
    Read Noise3.8e
    Sensor Diagonal16 mm
    Sensor TypeCMOS
    SensorSony IMX 533
    Weight1.04 lb
  • included items

    ZWO ASI533 Included Items

Product Reviews