ASI662MC ZWO Camera

A state-of-the-art uncooled color CMOS camera.

• 1/2.8" Sony IMX662 color CMOS sensor with 2.1 million pixels (2.9µ).
  
• Up to 107 fps at maximum resolution.
  
• 12-bit analog to digital converter.
  
• For planetary images, assisted visuals or “lucky images”.

Everything you need to know about the ZWO ASI662MC camera
The ZWO ASI662MC camera is equipped with a 2.07-megapixel (1920 x 1080 px) color CMOS sensor with a diagonal of 6.45 mm. At maximum resolution, the maximum acquisition rate reaches 107 frames/second with a 12-bit dynamic range.

Equipped with the latest STARVIS 2 sensor architecture technologies offered by Sony, the camera offers cutting-edge features: complete absence of electroluminescence, high-capacity pixels, a wide dynamic range, extremely high near-infrared sensitivity, and very low read noise.

Main features of the ZWO ASI662MC camera

With its 1/2.8" color sensor, the ZWO ASI662MC camera is suitable for high-speed planetary imaging. This ensures superb color photographs of the planets, while also protecting you from the dangers of atmospheric turbulence thanks to its sensitivity. In low-light conditions, the 662MC delivers excellent results in visually assisted imaging or deep-sky imaging using the "lucky imaging" technique (rapid burst acquisition) by stacking very numerous deep-sky images.

Sensor performance

Designed by Sony for surveillance and security applications, the IMX662 sensor is based on the STARVIS 2 technical architecture. The latter integrates powerful features that enable bright, high-contrast images with significant dynamic range, even in extremely limited lighting conditions. The most important is the use of an optoelectronic structure called "back-illuminated" (or BSI, Backside Illumination) sensor. All sensor electronics are placed beneath the photosites, reducing the distance light must travel within the sensor, as well as reducing the blocking of photons by non-photosensitive electronic elements. Sensitivity is significantly increased, even in very low-light conditions. The sensor is also extremely effective in the near-infrared (NIR), a spectral band prized by planetary astrophotographers for its lower sensitivity to atmospheric turbulence. This staggered structure allows for more electronic components, such as the ADC, to be placed within the sensor itself, thereby minimizing artifacts and noise.

Compared to previous generations of Sony sensors, the IMX662 offers very low read noise and a high pixel capacity—three times that of the IMX462 sensor, for example. This increased capacity reduces the risk of overexposure and allows for longer exposures. It is therefore possible to photograph faint celestial objects in just a few seconds without excessive noise. Add to this a reduced dark current—several times lower than that of the ASI174MC, for example—and you have an ideal solution for assisted visual imaging or deep-sky bursts.

Quantum efficiency and readout noise are the two most important parameters for measuring camera performance. High quantum efficiency and low readout noise are necessary conditions for significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

Equivalent quantum efficiency of the ASI662MC color camera sensor as a function of wavelength

Readout noise is the sum of several components: thermal noise from photosites, noise linked to the sensor electronics, and quantization noise from the analog-to-digital conversion stages. The lower this readout noise, the better the results; therefore, technological work is done at every level to minimize it. At the output, the camera incorporates an HCG (High Conversion Gain) device that can reduce playback noise at high gain while preserving the wide dynamic range that would be achieved with low gain. This HCG mode is automatically activated as soon as the gain reaches 252.

Pixel capacity, gain, dynamic range and read noise of the ZWO ASI662MC camera

The ASI662MC has an M42 female input thread; the back focus is 12.5 mm. A mechanical M42 to 31.75 mm male converter is supplied, as well as a 2 m USB cable and an ST4 autoguider cable. ZWO also offers a well-made 2.1 mm focal length lens. Thus equipped, the camera can also function as an all-view camera for sky surveillance.

Software
As with all ZWO brand cameras, the main and most complete camera control software is ASIStudio , which can be downloaded for free from the ZWO manufacturer's website. The brand also offers a free SDK (Software Development Kit) so that many software programs, both free and paid, natively support ZWO cameras: Prism, NINA, FireCapture, MaximDL, SharpCap, PHD2, AllSkEye, etc. We invite you to consult the specific documentation for this software to find out its level of compatibility or visit the ZWO website for a comprehensive list.

ZWO also offers a unified ASCOM controller to control all of its accessories through the ASCOM/Alpaca platform. This controller is available for free download from the ZWO website.

For Linux and Mac users, the Indi or Indigo drivers are free and available from the websites of these platforms. Control is then achieved using KStars/Ekos software (on Linux) and AstroImager/AstroTelescope from the CloudMakers publisher (on Mac).

Finally, ZWO cameras can be accessed through video drivers such as DirectShow or TWAIN. For more details, please visit the ZWO website.

Specs

Feature	ZWO ASI662MC Camera
Sensor
Sensor	CMOS Sony IMX662
Sensor type	Flag
Sensor format	1/2.8"
Die size	1920 x 1080 pixels
Dimensions of a pixel	2.9 x 2.9 µm
Die dimensions	5.6 x 3.1mm (diagonal: 12.84mm)
Pixel capacity	37,800 e-
Electronic
A/D converter	12 bits
Gain	9.23 e-/ADU
Reading noise	0.8 to 6.9 e-
Shutter	Electronic, “Rolling shutter” type
Exposure time range	32 µs at 2000
Cooling
Cooling type	Passive
Cooling regulation	No
Water cooling	No
Connections
Computer interface	SuperSpeed ​​USB 3.0 Type B
Self-guidance interface	Yes. ST4 compatible with RJ12
Additional interfaces	None
Power supply	5V, via USB port

Mechanical specifications

Back focus	12.5 mm
Mechanical entry	Female thread M42x0.75
Protective bull's eye	Anti-reflective treated glass 21-1.1
Dimensions (diameter x height)	62 mm x 37.1 mm
Weight	126g

Content delivered:
1 ZWO ASI662MC color camera
1 x 2.1mm CCTV Fisheye Lens
1 USB3 cable (2m)
1 ST4 autoguiding cable
1 Adapter M42x0.75 male to male 31.75 mm, with plug