ZWO ASI183MC Pro — cooled colour astronomy camera The Sony IMX183CQJ-J CMOS sensor records 5496 × 3672 pixels at 2.4 µm pitch. Sensor area is 13.2 × 8.8 mm. One-shot colour capture records colour through the sensor's colour filter array.
Manufacturer model: ZWO ASI183MC Pro · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
The Sony IMX183CQJ-J CMOS sensor records 5496 × 3672 pixels at 2.4 µm pitch. Sensor area is 13.2 × 8.8 mm. One-shot colour capture records colour through the sensor's colour filter array.
Exposure and readout
Exposure range is 32 µs–2000 s, with a rolling shutter and 12-bit or 10-bit conversion. USB 3.0 supports image transfer; USB 2.0 is also supported.
Cooling and power
Regulated two-stage TEC cooling achieves 40–45 °C below ambient in the manufacturer's 30 °C tests. A 256 MB DDR3 buffer supports transfer. The cooler uses an external 12 V supply; ZWO recommends 3 A with a 5.5 × 2.1 mm centre-positive connector.
Optical connection
M42 × 0.75 connection. Backfocus is 6.5 mm without the 11 mm T2 extender, or 17.5 mm with it.
ADC depth and output format are separate settings. Hardware 2 × 2 and software 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 binning are supported. The stated operating range is −5 to +45 °C at 20–80% relative humidity.
Compatibility notes
Camera flange-to-sensor distance is distinct from the telescope/corrector spacing requirement. Confirm the installed tilt plate and adapters. Gain, readout mode and hardware revision affect performance.
Additional specifications
Cooler power
12 V DC, 3 A recommended
Hardware binning
2 × 2; digital-domain binning using 10-bit ADC
56538
Data sheet
Active cooling
Yes
ADC
12 bit or 10 bit
Backfocus
6.5 mm without / 17.5 mm with 11 mm T2 extender
Buffer
256 MB DDR3
Camera diameter (mm)
78
Camera thread
M42 × 0.75
Colour mode
Colour
Cooling
Regulated two-stage TEC
Cooling below ambient
40–45 °C; tested at 30 °C ambient
Data interface
USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
Exposure range
32 µs–2000 s
Full resolution frame rate
19 fps at 5496 × 3672 over USB 3.0, 8-bit output; manual lists both 10-bit and 12-bit ADC modes
Full well (e⁻)
15000
Operating humidity
20–80%
Operating systems
Windows, Linux and macOS (manufacturer manual; check current driver support)
Operating temperature
−5 to +45 °C
Pixel size (µm)
2.4
Power connector
5.5 × 2.1 mm, centre positive
Protective window
AR-coated, 32 mm diameter × 2 mm thick
Read noise
1.6 e⁻ at 30 dB gain
Resolution (px)
5496 × 3672
Sensor
Sony IMX183CQJ-J
Sensor diagonal (mm)
15.9
Sensor size
13.2 × 8.8 mm
Shutter
Rolling
Software binning
2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4
Storage humidity
20–95%
Storage temperature
−20 to +60 °C
Weight (g)
410
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ZWO ASI183MC Pro — cooled colour astronomy camera The Sony IMX183CQJ-J CMOS sensor records 5496 × 3672 pixels at 2.4 µm pitch. Sensor area is 13.2 × 8.8 mm. One-shot colour capture records colour through the sensor's colour filter array.
Manufacturer model: ZWO ASI183MC Pro · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
