ZWO ASI120MC 1.2 MP CMOS Color Astronomy Camera with USB 2.0 # ASI120MC

Our #: ZZPAIC-ZZZW-ASI120MC
Mfg #: ASI120MC
Our Price: $149.00
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Out of Stock
Availability: Item has been discontinued by the manufacturer

Quick Overview

  • 1.2 megapixel CMOS color astronomy camera with 1280x960 resolution and 3.75 μm pixels with no fixed-pattern noise
  • A single, affordable camera that’s ideal for lunar, planetary, solar, and brighter deep-sky objects
  • USB 2.0 transfer at up to 35 fps at maximum resolution and 254 fps at minimum resolution
  • Configurable with included 150-deg lens adapter for capturing all-sky images
  • Attractive red anodized CNC aluminum body stands up to heavy field use
  • Ready to go out of the box with cables, adapters, and manual; Software and drivers available from manufacturer's website
  • Compact body with dimension 62MC diameter and 28MC length, and weight of only 100 g (3.5 oz)
  • Produces single-shot color images without the need for a filter wheel and color filters

Product Details

The ZWO ASI120MC is a sensitive and affordable color astronomy camera with 1.2 megapixel resolution. Selected as a Sky and Telescope "Hot Product" for 2014, this versatile camera captures images of the Moon, planets, and the Sun (with a proper solar filter), as well as brighter deep-sky objects. It also includes a wide-angle 150-degree lens that turns the ASI120MC into an all-sky camera that captures meteors, aurora, and the slow movement of the stars and planets across the sky during the night.

The heart of this color camera is a 1/3" CMOS sensor with 1.2 megapixels (1280x960) with a quantum efficiency (QE) of 75% and no fixed-pattern noise. The pixels are 3.75 μm in size, small enough for imaging solar-system objects but large enough to capture fainter objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. The camera enables exposure times of 64 μs to 1000 s (16.67 minutes).

At full resolution of 1280x960, the USB 2.0 interface of this camera can transfer up to 35 frames per second. At reduced resolution, download rates up to 254 fps become possible. Such rates make it easier to produce high-quality images of solar system objects, especially quickly-rotating objects like Jupiter and Saturn when taking multiple color images using a filter wheel.

Many cameras in this price range have plastic housings, but the ASI120MC has a robust and attractive CNC machined red-anodized aluminum body that stands up to heavy field use. An IR-cut glass window protects the sensor and helps keep images sharp. A 1/4-20 thread in the bottom of the camera makes it easy to attach the device to a camera tripod or mount, and four M4 threads along the outside edge offer additional mounting options.

The camera also comes with a 2-meter USB 3.0 cable and a 2-meter ST4 guider cable for use in autoguiding, as well as a M42-threaded 1.25" nosepiece and a 1.25" cover.

This camera can be configured with the following connections for attachment to telescopes and imaging accessories:

  • 1.25” nosepiece
  • 2” nosepiece (optional 2” extension strongly recommended)
  • Female T/T2 thread (M42x0.75)
  • Female C/CS thread (1”x32TPI)
  • Female M28.5x0.6 thread

ZWO is phasing out software CDs, but the ASI120MC astronomy camera comes with instructions to help you download the required control software and drivers directly from the ZWO website. Note that this USB2.0 camera is not compatible with MacOS or Linux (Windows only).

Camera Technical Details

  • Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Color) / MT9M034(mono)
  • Resolution: 1.2 Mega Pixels 1280×960
  • Pixel Size: 3.75µm
  • Exposure Range: 64µs-1000s
  • ROI: Supported
  • Interface: USB2.0
  • Bit rate: 12bit output(12bit ADC)
  • Telescope connection: 2" nosepiece / 1.25" nosepiece / M42X0.75 female T thread
  • 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%

Supported Resolutions

Binning 1×1:

  • 1280X960@35FPS
  • 1280X720@46FPS
  • 1280X600@55FPS
  • 1280X400@80FPS
  • 960X960@46FPS
  • 1024X768@54FPS
  • 1024X600@69FPS
  • 1024X400@101FPS
  • 800X800@66FPS
  • 800X640@74FPS
  • 800X512@102FPS
  • 800X400@108FPS
  • 800X320@158FPS
  • 640X560@98FPS
  • 640X480@113FPS
  • 512X440@123FPS
  • 512X400@135FPS
  • 480X320@165FPS
  • 320X240@215FPS

Binning 2×2:

  • 640X480@35FPS
 Warning
  • The lens can be screwed in too far, result in a scratch on the protect window! Please adjust it very slowly! Don’t turn it beyond the focus at infinity!
  • Full resolution function of the ASI120 requires full 480mbs USB communication!
  • Mac OSX is not compatible. Windows though Bootcamp is recommended. Or use our ASI120S USB3.0 Cameras which runs well under Mac OSX.

 What’s in the Box?

  • ZWO ASI120MC Colour 1.2 Mega Pixel Astronomy Camera
  • 150° Lens for use as an all-sky camera
  • M42-1.25″ nosepiece
  • 1.25″ IR-cut window
  • 2 m long USB cable
  • 2 m long ST4 guider cable
  • Instructions for downloading drivers and software from ZWO website

Manufacturer Part Number: ASI20MC

Product carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty against mechanical defects (within USA only).