The NEW ZWO ASI120MC is an excellent choice for an affordable planetary camera or deep sky one shot colour camera for those who has just started in astro photography, but cannot spend a fortune on a specialist astro photography camera or want to replace a modified webcam or a cheaper planetary imager. This NEW version also comes with an ST4 AUTOGUIDER PORT so you may now use it both for imaging or guiding!

With the ZWO ASI120MC camera you can achieve better results than with those beginner cameras. We are not saying that anything is wrong with those cameras like the TSSI or Scopiumcam, but this is just simply better for a still affordable price.
If you however want the ultimate camera, go for a Moravian Instruments camera that you may also find on our website, but of course for more bucks.
Basically, according to the old saying, you get what you pay for…

According to customer feedback, these cameras worth every penny invested.
Mostly used for planetary imaging, it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level or even as a guide camera. With the ZWO ASI120MC you won’t have to spend lots of time to get beautiful images, however, if you want to get the best results from this range of cameras and you have plenty of time to spare, why not to try L-RGB or narrow band photography with the monochrome version of this camera, the ZWO ASI120MM. (If you go for the monochrome version, you’ll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band photography…)

Features of the NEW ZWO ASI120MC
Recommended for the Sun, Moon and some deep sky objects
(To image the Sun you’ll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 1280X960 at up to 30fps
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
NEW – Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: 75% (better than ICX618)
No fixed pattern noise (FPN)!
Full aluminum housing with standard 2″ interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• ASI120MC colour camera
• ST4 cable
• USB cable
• 150-degree lens
• 1.25″ nosepiece with male T-thread
• 1.25″ end cap for above nosepiece
• CD (with instructions, drivers and software, although we recommend to download the latest versions online)

DOWNLOADS

On the included CD you’ll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers’ websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
We’d recommend to use the beta version of Firecapture as the 2.2 version is not fully functional with the ZWO ASI cameras…

TROUBLESHOOTING

Here you can download a pdf file that will guide you through ZWO ASI camera troubleshooting. Click here!

ALL SKY CAMERA
150 degree wide lens included! You don’t even need a telescope to start imaging the stars!

Image courtesy of Scott Anttia.

Specification of ZWO ASI120MC

Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Color)
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Rage: 64µs-1000s

ROI: Supported
Interface: USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output（12bit ADC）
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 28mm
Weight: 100g

Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

Transmission chart of the UV IR-cut off filter used as an optical window in the ZWO ASI120MC CMOS cameras

For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer’s website: ZWOptical

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