Need help?Do you have a question about the ZWO ASI533 Series and is the answer not in the manual?
Lists all included accessories and components with images.
Details external features, ports, and components of the ASI533 camera.
Explains power requirements for cooling and non-cooling modes and shows efficiency graph.
Describes the 2-stage TEC cooling system and its capabilities.
Specifies the back focus length when the T2 extender is removed.
The ASI533 is an astronomy camera designed for both deep space and planetary photography. It features a SONY IMX533CMOS sensor with a diagonal of 15.968mm and a resolution of 9 megapixels (3008x3008). The pixel size is 3.76 µm, and the image area is 11.31x11.31mm. The camera offers a maximum frame rate of 20 FPS at full resolution and utilizes a rolling shutter. Its exposure range spans from 32µs to 2000s.
The ASI533 camera is equipped with a built-in 14-bit Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) and supports a custom ROI local readout mode, allowing for faster frame rates at smaller ROI resolutions. For example, at 320x240 resolution, it can achieve 216fps using both USB2.0 and USB3.0. The camera also supports bin2, bin3, and bin4 software pixel binning modes. Hardware pixel binning offers faster frame rates, while software binning is recommended if increased frame rate is not a primary concern.
The ASI533MC Pro model includes a built-in 256MB DDR3 high-speed memory buffer to ensure stable data transmission and effectively reduce amp-glow caused by slow reading speeds. This DDR memory buffer is a key differentiator between "Cool" and "Pro" model ASI cameras.
The camera can be connected to a telescope or camera lens using various adapters. Commonly needed adapters are included, and others can be purchased from the manufacturer's website. The camera body features a 2" M42 thread (11mm thick, removable), a radiator, USB2.0Hub, USB3.0/USB2.0 data interface, an LED indicator, a cooling power supply DC port (5.5*2.1mm, center positive, recommended 12V at 3A), and an ultra-quiet magnetic suspension fan. There is also a 1/4" screw under the holder for mounting.
ASI cameras are designed to be low-power, drawing around 300mA at 5V when not cooling. The camera is powered by a USB cable in this mode. However, for cooling, a 12V at 3A power adapter or a lithium battery (supporting 9V to 15V) is required to power the fans. The cooling system is efficient, achieving a temperature difference of 30 degrees with only 0.5A of current. The 2-stage TEC cooling system precisely controls the sensor temperature, allowing for a minimum of -35°C below ambient.
The camera's performance is characterized by its high QE value (peak above 80%) and low readout noise. Readout noise, which includes pixel noise, circuit noise, and ADC quantization noise, is significantly lower than conventional CCD cameras and further reduced as the gain value increases. Users can adjust gain settings based on their shooting target: lower gain for larger dynamic range (suitable for long exposures) or higher gain for reduced readout noise (suitable for short exposures or fortunate imaging).
The camera is equipped with a protective window glass in front of the sensor, and the sensor room is dry and sealed. Opening the camera for cleaning is not recommended as it may lead to moisture and condensation during cooling. If cleaning the protective glass is necessary, it is best done during the day. Dust on the protective glass appears as a dark spot, while dust on the chip appears as a very small black spot. It is recommended to blow off dust from the glass surface with air, and any remaining dust can be removed with calibration flat frames.
For software upgrades, users should refer to the official website. For repairs and other services, contact info@zwoptical.com. If the camera was purchased from an agent, contact the dealer for after-sales service. The product comes with a 2-year warranty, covering free repair or replacement for cameras that malfunction within the warranty period. After the warranty, repair and service are provided on a charged basis. The warranty does not cover damage from abuse, misuse, falls, or transportation failures after purchase. Customers are responsible for shipping costs for warranty repairs or replacements. For faulty cameras, detailed problem descriptions should be sent to info@zwoptical.com for assistance, as many perceived problems are often due to incorrect driver installation or software configuration.
General| Brand | ZWO |
|---|---|
| Model | ASI533 Series |
| Category | Digital Camera |
| Language | English |
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