ZWO ASI290 Mini - High Sensitive Autoguider & Mono CMOS Camera

The currently most sensitive autoguider from ZW-Optical for astrophotography with modern Sony sensor and 1.25 "housing.
♦ Sony MONX CMOS sensor IMX290 with a QE of over 80% for the highest sensitivity - always find a guide star.

♦ Pixel size 2.9 μm - this allows you to track large telescopes with small guide tubes and operate search guides.

♦ Sensor size 5.6 x 3.2 mm

♦ Practical 1.25 "case - you can use the autoguider / camera like an eyepiece in the guide tube, the viewfinder or the Off Axis Guider.

♦ Just 60 grams, a true lightweight and no bigger than a 1.25 "eyepiece.

♦ Extensive scope of delivery: Protective cap, instructions, CD-ROM, 2x USB cable, ST4 autoguiding cable, filter ring and 1.25 "extension sleeve.

♦ You can also use the camera as a high-quality lunar and planetary camera. Thanks to the highly sensitive sensor, it is even possible to record deep-sky objects.

ZW Optical ASI290 mono autoguiding camera and astro camera
The ASI290 is the ultimate autoguider and much more. The modern Sony IMX290 MONO sensor convinces with an outstanding QE of more than 80%. Only a few sensors achieve this sensitivity. Another special feature is the extremely high resolution of 2.9 μm pixels. This makes this camera very interesting for astrophotography.

The advantages of the ASI290 Mini as an autoguider

♦ You will always find a guiding star, even with off-axis guiding - guaranteed!
♦ The high resolution allows you to easily track telescopes up to 11 "aperture with a 50 mm viewfinder - search guidance is possible.
♦ The convenient 1.25 "case makes it easy to adapt, plug the camera into the 1.25" slot, focus and get started.
♦ Only 8.5 mm working distance from the leading edge to the chip - so you can focus on even short distances.
♦ With only 60 grams of weight, the focuser is hardly loaded.
♦ ST4 cable and ST4 port are of course included. Connect the camera directly to the autoguiding port of the mount.

The autoguider software is not included. The camera is ASCOM compatible and suitable for PHD Guiding, Guidedog, Metaguide, Guidemaster (Freeware), APT or AstroArt, MaxIm DL (paid).

Link to more infos and download to PHD Guiding

Link to more information and download Guide Guide Guiding

A tip: With ASIAIR, the ASI120Mini and your smartphone become a fine autoguider, which works without a computer, with higher sensitivity and resolution than the previous "stand-alone" autoguiders ... for really small money - just recalculate and compare.

The advantages of the ASI290 Mini as an astro camera

♦ High sensitivity sensor connected with high resolution for ultimate moon and planet photos.
♦ High frame rate
♦ The camera fits into any 1.25 "eyepiece, clamp the camera like an eyepiece, focus and start astrophotography.
♦ The ASI290 Mini's high sensitivity also makes it suitable for photographing nebulae and galaxies.
♦ The camera is equipped with a clear glass filter that is transparent even in the infrared. This makes exciting infrared photography possible.


Spectral sensitivity

The sensor not only convinces with high sensitivity, but also with a wide sensitivity range. The sensitivity remains high deep into the infrared. This means more stars for guiding and the exciting field of infrared photography (Venus, Mars ...) becomes possible.



So compact is the ASI290 MINI camera:

Compared to other astro cameras, the 290 Mini has smaller dimensions, less weight, and reaches the focal point in the same place as an eyepiece.




What is included?

The packaging of the ASI Mini Camera has all the necessary cables, drivers, adapters and also an (English) manual.



Additional Information:

ASI mini cameras
The mini-cameras ASI174 and ASI290 have a beautiful appearance, small dimensions, low weight, the alone are already attractive features. The cameras convince by other advantages:

High sensitivity - important for finding the guide star
Sensitivity is the first thing ZWO has envisioned for these cameras. It is very important to find a guide star. Initially, ZWO considered only a monochrome sensor for use in its tracking cameras, since a monochrome sensor has a much higher sensitivity than a color sensor. Thereafter, the manufacturer has carefully compared the sensitivities of the available sensors. Ultimately, ZWO decided to use the SW sensors 290 and 174. As we know, the 290 and 174 monochrome sensors have about 80% maximum quantum efficiency and can therefore perceive more stars in the image field. Also, the shutter speed of the guide can be shortened.

Accurate tracking

The ASI290 Mini is designed for accurate tracking. With 2.9 μm pixel size, the resolution (in arcseconds) is higher than with other autoguiders. This means that on the same guide tube the 290Mini can perceive smaller movements of the stars. The ASI290 Mini, for example, has a much better tracking accuracy than the Lodestar.



Focus position as with the eyepiece

ASI Mini and eyepiece can reach the focus in the same place. You can focus with an eyepiece and then put the mini camera in the 1.25 "socket.



Works at the OAG

The ZWO mini cameras are well suited for tracking with OAG, they have a much wider focus than normal ASI cameras. You do not have to worry about the focus camera not focusing on the camera at the same time.

♦ cover 1.25 "
♦ Camera body
♦ Quick guide in English
♦ 0.5m USB2.0 cable
♦ 2 m USB2.0 cable
♦ ST4 cable
♦ M28.5-CS adapter
♦ 1.25 "extension


Sensor: 1 / 2.8 "CMOS IMX290 / IMX291
Resolution: 2.1 megapixels 1936x1096
Pixel size: 2.9 μm
Sensor size: 5.6 mm x 3.2 mm
QE (maximum): 80%
Readout noise: 1.0 e-
Exposure time: 32 μs - 2000 s
ROI: Supports
ST4 Autoguiderport: Yes
Working distance: 8.5 mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Entrance window: anti-reflective tempered window
Compatible with operating system: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB 2.0
Software requirements: Must support USB 2.0
Bit rate: 12 bit output (12 bit ADC)
Adapter: 1.25 "/ M28.5x0.6
Size: ⌀36 mm x 61 mm
Weight: 60 g