ZWO Camera Comparison (Best for Planetary and DSO in 2024)

We analyzed 828 images shortlisted for the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition to provide a ZWO camera comparison.

Using this objective data we are able to recommend the best ZWO camera for planetary and the best ZWO camera for DSO.

See the table below or read on for more analysis.

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ZWO Camera Comparison Data

The Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest is the world’s leading astrophotography competition.

Each year hundreds of images are shortlisted along with details of how the picture was captured, including the camera used.

In the past three years, there have been a total of 828 images shortlisted, and from these 381 used dedicated CCD or CMOS astronomy cameras.

From this data, we can see that ZWO is by far the most successful dedicated astronomy camera brand:

Now let’s look at the ZWO camera models used.

This chart shows all the ZWO cameras used in 186 shortlisted images for the competition in the past six years:

Since this features several older models, we also want to examine the more recent data and so here you can see the ZWO cameras most frequently (and successfully) used in the past two years:

This data incorporates both planetry and deep-sky imaging but these require different camera traits:

1. Planetary cameras need a fast frame rate for lucky imaging and a lower resolution for fast data transfer.
2. Deep sky cameras need higher resolution for more image detail but have a slower frame rate since they will be used for longer exposures. They also need cooling to reduce noise.

Therefore we can split this data to see the best ZWO cameras for planetary imaging, and then for deep-sky imaging.

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Best ZWO Planetary Cameras

So firstly, ZWO planetary imaging cameras:

We can see that the ZWO ASI174MM is the top ZWO camera for planetary imaging.

It is an uncooled, monochrome CMOS camera with a 2.3MP resolution and a fast frame rate of 164 fps at full resolution and is particularly tailored for lunar and solar imaging.

What you need in a dedicated planetary camera is a fast frame rate, plus a modest resolution and USB 3.0 connection so that the data transfer to your laptop/computer can handle the volume of frames being taken.

The next most successful models are the ZWO ASI290MM (discontinued) and ZWO ASI178MM.

This data includes solar, lunar and planetary, but we can break this up to see which models come out top separately:

• The best ZWO solar and lunar cameras are the ZWO ASI174MM and ZWO ASI178MM
• The top ZWO planetary camera (not lunar and solar) is the ZWO ASI224MC

The ZWO ASI224MC is possibly the best budget ZWO camera and ZWO calls it “a great choice for new beginners to step into planetary imaging” (see here).

Color cameras are generally recommended for planetary imaging as there is no need to use a monochrome camera with filters like you would with solar and deep sky imaging.

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Best ZWO DSO Camera

Next, we can look at the ZWO cameras used for imaging deep-sky objects:

We see that the ZWO ASI1600MM Pro is the most successful ZWO deep-sky camera but this model was discontinued and replaced by the ZWO ASI2600MM Pro.

In the chart further up, we can also see that this camera was the most successfully used of any ZWO model in the past two years.

The ZWO ASI2600MM Pro is a cooled, monochrome CMOS camera with a 26MP resolution and a frame rate of 3.5 fps.

Its upgrades from the very popular ZWO ASI1600MM Pro include:

1. A much higher resolution 26MP sensor with a pixel array of 6248×4176
2. Back-illumination which reduces noise and amp glow in images
3. A built-in dew heater
4. Increased bit depth
5. Increased full well depth (50ke)
6. Increased quantum efficiency (91%)

This is therefore our recommendation for the best ZWO camera for DSO.

Deep sky cameras need a higher resolution for more image detail, but a slower frame rate since they will use less numerous but longer exposures. The cooling reduces noise.

The next most successful ZWO deep-sky camera is the ZWO ASI6200MM Pro.

This is also a cooled, monochrome model but with an extremely high 64MP resolution. This is the premium option.

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ZWO Cameras Comparison – All Models

How to Compare ZWO Cameras

The naming convention of ZWO cameras is as follows:

• ZWO is the company name
• ASI is the name of the model range
• The number indicates either the resolution (e.g. ASI1600MM Pro = 16MP resolution) or the sensor name (e.g. ASI174MM = Sony IMX174 sensor)
• MM means monochrome / MC means color
• Pro indicates that it is cooled
• GT indicates a built-in filter wheel (and is cooled)
• Mini indicates that it is primarily a guide camera

Therefore:

• ASI174MM = uncooled CMOS monochrome camera with a Sony IMX174 sensor.
• ASI2600MM Pro = cooled CMOS monochrome camera with 26MP resolution
• ASI183MM GT = cooled CMOS monochrome camera with a built-in filter wheel

ZWO ASI Cameras Comparison Chart

There are currently 28 different ZWO camera models available.

You can compare key specifications in this chart:

Model	Year	MP	FPS	Pixel Size	QE	Read Noise	Full Well
ASI071MC Pro	2016	16	10	4.78µm	50%	2.3 – 3.3e	46000e
ASI294MC Pro	2017	11.3	19	4.63µm	TBD	1.2 – 7.3e	63700e
ASI183MC Pro	2017	20.2	19	2.4µm	84%	1.6 – 7.0e	15000e
ASI183MM Pro	2017	20.2	19	2.4µm	84%	1.6 – 7.0e	15000e
ASI183MC	2017	20.2	19	2.4µm	84%	1.6 – 7.0e	15000e
ASI183MM	2017	20.2	19	2.4µm	84%	1.6 – 7.0e	15000e
ASI174MM	2015	2.4	164.5	5.86µm	77%	3.5 – 6.0e	32ke
ASI174MM Mini	2017	2.3	18.4	5.86µm	77%	3.5 – 6.0e	32000e
ASI178MC	2015	6.4	60	2.4µm	TBD	1.4 – 2.2e	15000e
ASI178MM	2015	6.4	60	2.4µm	TBD	1.4 – 2.2e	15000e
ASI385MC	2017	2.1	120	3.75µm	TBD	0.7 – 2.8e	18700e
ASI224MC	2015	1.2	150	3.75µm	TBD	0.8 – 3.2e	19200e
ASI120MM-S	2014	1.2	60	3.75µm	75%	4.0 – 6.6e	13000e
ASI120MM-MINI	2017	1.2	35	3.75µm	75%	4.0 – 6.6e	13000e
ASI533MC Pro	2019	9	20	3.76µm	80%	1.0e – 3.8e	50000e
ASI183GT	2019	20	19	2.4µm	84%	1.5 – 3.0e	15000e
ASI6200MC Pro	2019	61.2	2	3.76µm	80%	1.2e – 3.5e	51400e
ASI6200MM Pro	2019	61.2	2	3.76µm	91%	1.2e – 3.5e	51400e
ASI2600MC Pro	2019	26	3.5	3.76µm	91%	1.0e – 3.3e	50,000e
ASI2400MC Pro	2020	24	8	5.94µm	80%	1.1e – 6.4e	100,000e
ASI2600MM Pro	2020	26.1	3.51	3.76µm	91%	1.0e – 3.3e	50,000e
ASI294MM Pro	2020	47	16.3	2.3µm	90%	1.26e-8e	14,000e
ASI482MC	2021	2	82.5	5.8µm	85%	1.5e-12.9e	51,500e
ASI432MM	2022	1.8	120	9μm	79%	2.4-20.8	97000e
ASI585MC	2022	8.3	46.9	2.9µm	91%	0.8-12e	47000e
ASI662MC	2022	2.1	107.6	2.9µm	91%	0.8-6.9e	38200e
ASI678MC	2022	8.3	47.5	2µm	83%	0.6-2.7e	11270e
ASI461MM Pro	2023	100	3.77	3.76µm	91%	1.0e	50300e

Glossary:

• MP: Megapixels (resolution)
• FPS: Frame-Rate Per Second (capture speed)
• QE: Quantum Efficiency

There are also a number of discontinued ZWO cameras not included in this chart:

• ASI120MC-S (2014)
• ASI290MM (2015)
• ASI290MC (2015)
• ASI290MM Mini (2017)
• ASI1600MM (2016)
• ASI1600MM Pro (2016)
• ASI1600GT (2019)
• ASI482MC (2021)
• ASI462MC (2020)
• ASI485MC (2021)

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FAQs about ZWO Cameras

Color vs Monochrome ZWO Cameras

There are a few things to know if considering whether to get a color or mono ZWO camera:

• Color cameras give you a full-color image in a single exposure. However, the in-built filtering limits the capacity of the camera’s sensor, resulting in less data captured.
• Monochrome cameras use the full capacity of the sensor to capture light but they need additional filters to create color images. This is more work and costs more to buy the additional components, including a filter wheel.

Using a monochrome camera is more difficult and expensive, but has a much higher potential in terms of image quality.

Color cameras are much quicker and simpler, but the images produced will be more limited. This can be perfect for beginners who want to do their first imaging with a dedicated astronomy camera or for planetary imaging.

What telescopes are used with ZWO cameras?

Our results show that planetary imaging with ZWO cameras is most commonly done with telescopes from Celestron and Sky-Watcher.

The most successful models are Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain OTAs – see the full data in the Best Telescopes For Planetary Imaging.

For deep sky imaging with ZWO cameras, we see the most successful telescope brands to be Takahashi, Celestron, and Sky-Watcher.

To see the most successful models, go to the Best Telescopes for Astrophotography.

What is the best ZWO camera for EAA?

The ZWO ASI224MC is the best ZWO camera for EAA (Electronically Assisted Astronomy).

This is because:

1. It is color
2. Has a fast frame rate
3. Is relatively cheap

If you want to read more about this, see our guide to Electronically Assisted Astronomy.

What is the best ZWO camera for beginners?

The best ZWO camera for beginners is the ZWO ASI224MC.

It is inexpensive but proven to deliver. Starting out with a color camera is easier than a monochrome model.

What is the best solar camera for ZWO?

The best ZWO solar camera is the ZWO ASI174MM.

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Conclusion: Best ZWO Cameras

Overall, based on our findings we recommend for ZWO planetary cameras:

• ZWO ASI224MC – the best planetary ZWO camera
• ZWO ASI174MM – the best ZWO for solar and lunar imaging
• ZWO ASI2600MM Pro – the best ZWO DSO camera
• ZWO ASI6200MM Pro – the best premium ZWO DSO camera

If you want to consider more than just ZWO cameras, then check out our other articles:

• Best CCD and CMOS Cameras for Astrophotography
• Best Planetary, Lunar & Solar Cameras.