ZWO ASI120MC-S USB3.0 High Speed ​​Color Camera - Moon, Planets, Weather

The ZW Optical ASI120MC-S is a very sensitive CMOS camera with high frame rate for moon and planets, but it can also be used for deep sky.
♦ 1/3 "CMOS color sensor AR0130CS

♦ 1.2 megapixels (1280 * 960)

♦ Pixel size: 3.75 μm

♦ 60 Hz maximum frame rate at full resolution

♦ USB3.0 for maximum speed

♦ UV and IR cut filter: permanently installed

♦ Removable 2.1mm CS lens (150 ° angle of view)

♦ ST4 autoguider connection

♦ Super light: only 100 g

ZWO ASI120MC-S - a very fast color camera with high sensitivity
With up to 60 frames per second at maximum resolution, it is particularly suitable for the moon and planets, but can also be used for deep-sky.

Lower resolutions significantly increase the frame rate, which accommodates "lucky imaging". VGA (640x480 pixels) offers 133 fps, the maximum of 254 fps is achieved at 320x240 pixels.

The ASI120MC-S is very suitable as an autoguiding camera because of its high sensitivity and frame rate, the connection is made via an ST4 autoguider port.

Use in fog and galaxies:

With the freeware "FireCapture" from the Internet a very individual control of the camera is possible. You can even display weak objects on the computer monitor within seconds.

♦ Automatic staking
♦ Longer exposure times and gain factor

A great feature: 2.1mm lens for 150 ° wide-angle shooting

The lens can be used to monitor the observatory or the weather, for overview shots, time-lapse videos and also for meteor photography.

In this case, you can mount the camera with the 1/4 "-Fotogewinde on the back on a tripod or similar carrier (ball head).


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:

640X480 @ 45fps


Software and drivers:
The software is available on the internet. Under "Astronomy" are the well-known free camera control and recording programs FireCapture and SharpCap, but also other software.

System Requirements:

USB 3.0 must be present and supported by the operating system. Support is available from

♦ Windows 8
♦ Mac OS X v10.8
♦ Linux Kernel 2.6.31

The camera manufacturer gives the following information:

"most important is USB3.0 host controller
we recommend "Intel® USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller"
from customer's feedback, all intel host controller works and can provide the maximum data transfer

and here's more detail test result:

tested platform and USB Host controller:
Lenovo IdeaPad Z580: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
MacBook Air 2014: Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
Dell Inspiron 17-7737 i7: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
MacBook Pro 2013: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
PC: Renesas Electronics USB3.0 Host Controller
PC: AMD USB3.0 host controller

PCIE-USB3.0 Card: NEC / Renesas μPD720200A μPD720201 & μPD720202
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: VIA Labs VL800

already know incompatible USB host:
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: NEC / Renesas μPD720200 under windows 8
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: Trendnet TU3-H2PIE card
PC: Etron usb3.0 host controller "

Sensor: 1/3 "CMOS AR0130CS color sensor
Resolution: 1.2 megapixels (1280 * 960)
Pixel size: 3.75 μm
Maximum frame rate at full resolution: 60 fps at 1280x960
ROI: Supports
Connection: USB3.0 (USB2.0 possible)
Software requirements: Must support USB 3.0, see System Requirements at the bottom of the page
Bit depth: 12 bit output (12 bit ADC)
Adapter: 1.25 "/ T2 (M42X0.75)
Autoguideranschluss: ST4-compatible
Dimensions: ⌀ 62 mm x 28 mm
Weight: 100 g
Connection to the telescope: T2 thread, 2 "socket, 1.25" socket
Other connection: 1/4 "tripod thread on the back of the housing
Distance from T2 thread to camera sensor: 12.5 mm
Sensor protection: UV and IR cut filter
Binning to increase sensitivity: 2x2
Operating temperature: -5 ° C ?? 45 ° C
Operation at humidity: 20% ?? 80%


♦ Camera with T2 connection
♦ 150 ° lens adapter
♦ USB cable
♦ ST4 autoguider cable
♦ 1.25 "adapter
♦ IR / UV blocking filter permanently installed as protective glass over the sensor
♦ Instructions in English, Quick Guide in German