ZWO ASI 183 MC Color Camera
Technical sheet for the ZWO ASI183MC color camera: description, specifications and highlights for deep-sky astrophotography.
Description
The ASI183MC is a color CMOS camera from ZWO built around the Sony IMX183CQJ-J sensor, a 1-inch back-illuminated sensor with 20.2 MP and small 2.4 µm pixels. Its large full-well capacity (15,000 e⁻) despite the small pixel size, very low read noise (1.6 e⁻ at 30 dB gain), and high quantum efficiency (84% peak) make it a particularly sensitive sensor, well suited to deep-sky astrophotography with short to medium exposures.
Shipped without active cooling (unlike the Pro version), it’s a compact, lightweight camera designed to slot behind a refractor or telescope without adding weight or unbalancing the optical train.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX183CQJ-J, back-illuminated color CMOS, 1" |
| Resolution | 20.2 MP (5496 × 3672) |
| Pixel size | 2.4 µm |
| Quantum efficiency (QE) | 84% peak |
| Full well capacity | 15,000 e⁻ |
| Read noise | 1.6 e⁻ @ 30 dB gain |
| Dynamic range | 12 stops @ Gain 0 |
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Bayer pattern | RGGB |
| Shutter | Rolling shutter |
| Exposure range | 32 µs — 2000 s |
| Frame rate (full resolution) | Up to 19 fps |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0 / USB 2.0, ST4 guide port |
| Included adapters | 2", 1.25", M42×0.75 thread |
| Operating temperature | -5°C to 45°C |
| Dimensions | Ø 62 mm × 36 mm |
| Weight | 120 g |
Values from manufacturer specifications, to be confirmed/refined with use.
Official product page: ZWO ASI183MC
Highlights
- Very sensitive sensor (84% QE) with low read noise despite its small pixels.
- Compact and lightweight (120 g): easy to pair with a lightweight refractor like the Esprit 70 EDX.
- Built-in ST4 port for autoguiding without extra hardware.
- Good full-well capacity for this pixel size, useful for deep-sky imaging.
Coming up
This sheet will be updated with real-world noise levels (with/without darks), the gain settings used in practice, and a comparison with the all-in-one Seestar S30 Pro.