The ZWO ASI120MC-S is a sensitive and affordable color astronomy camera with 1.2 megapixel resolution and super-fast USB 3.0 data transfer. This versatile camera captures images of the Moon, planets, and the Sun (with a proper solar filter), as well as brighter deep-sky objects. It also includes a wide-angle 150-degree lens that turns the ASI120MC-S into an all-sky camera that captures meteors, aurora, and the slow movement of the stars and planets across the sky during the night.
The heart of this color camera is a 1/3″ CMOS sensor with 1.2 megapixels (1280×960) with a quantum efficiency (QE) of 75% and no fixed-pattern noise. The pixels are 3.75 μm in size, small enough for imaging solar-system objects but large enough to capture fainter objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. The camera enables exposure times of 64 μs to 1000 s (16.67 minutes).
The ASI120MC-S is the USB 3.0 version of the ASI120MC camera from ZWO, a Sky and Telescope Hot Product for 2014 which featured USB 2.0 data transfer. At full resolution of 1280×960, the faster ASI120MC-S can transfer images at 60 fps, twice as fast as USB 2.0. At reduced resolution, download rates up to 254 fps become possible. Such rates make it easier to produce single-shot high-quality color images without the need for a filter wheel or for stacking filtered monochrome images. The camera also works seamlessly with USB 2.0 ports as necessary.
Many cameras in this price range have plastic housings, but the ASI120MC-S has a robust and attractive CNC machined red-anodized aluminum body that stands up to heavy field use. An IR-cut glass window protects the sensor and helps keep images sharp. A 1/4-20 thread in the bottom of the camera makes it easy to attach the device to a camera tripod or mount, and four M4 threads along the outside edge offer additional mounting options.
The camera also comes with a 2-meter USB 3.0 cable and a 2-meter ST4 guider cable for use in autoguiding, as well as a M42-threaded 1.25″ nosepiece and a 1.25″ cover.
This camera can be configured with the following connections for attachment to telescopes and imaging accessories:
- 1.25” nosepiece
- 2” nosepiece (composed of 2 or 3 included adapters)
- Female T/T2 thread (M42x0.75)
- Female C/CS thread (1”x32TPI)
- Female M28.5×0.6 thread
ZWO has phased out software CDs, but this camera comes with instructions to download the required control software and drivers directly from the ZWO website.
Camera Technical Details
- Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS (Color)
- Resolution: 1.2 megapixels 1280×960
- Sensor Size: 4.8mm x 3.6mm
- Pixel Size: 3.75µm
- Exposure Range: 64µs-1000s
- ROI: Supported
- Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
- Bit rate: 12bit output (12bit ADC)
- Telescope connection: 2″ nosepiece / 1.25″ nosepiece / M42X0.75 female T thread
- Dimension: φ62mm X 28mm
- Weight: 100g
- Working Temperature: -5°C to 45°C
- Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C
- Working Relative Humidity: 20% to 80%
- Storage Relative Humidity: 20% to 95%
Supported Resolutions
Binning 1×1:
- 1280X960@60FPS
- 1280X720@98FPS
- 1280X600@116FPS
- 1280X400@168FPS
- 960X960@74FPS
- 1024X768@90FPS
- 1024X400@160FPS
- 800X800@85FPS
- 800X640@106FPS
- 800X480@141FPS
- 640X480@133FPS
- 512X440@145FPS
- 512X400@158FPS
- 480X320@196FPS
- 320X240@254FPS
Binning 2×2:
*Tested under USB3.0 port without overclocking. There is an option to overclock 30% of the current fps
What’s in the Box
- ZWO ASI120MC-S Camera Body with All-Sky Lens
- 2m ST4 Cable
- 1.25″ Cover
- M42-1.25″ T-Mount
- 2m USB 3.0 Cable
- Instructions for downloading drivers and software from ZWO website
Manufacturer part number: ASI120MC-S
Product carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty against mechanical defects.
