ZWO ASI533MM Pro - powerful mono astro camera of the latest generation

ZWO has taken another step forward with this new camera. The monochrome sensor with a diagonal of approx. 16 mm can be used on almost every telescope. Due to the square shape, the corrected image field of the telescope is optimally used. This even allows the use of many telescopes without a corrector.

A special feature of the ASI533MM Pro is the zero-amp glow circuit, which eliminates the amplifier glow that occurs with longer exposure times. This would brighten areas of the image at longer exposure times. Especially with this camera, the electronics also reduce the effect of external stray light, so you can take longer exposures under light-polluted skies.

One of the outstanding features of the ASI 533MM Pro is its sensational light sensitivity. The QE of 80% by the BACK ILLUMINATION technology and the very low amplifier glow make the camera very suitable for all astronomical applications, but especially for deep-sky astrophotography. This allows you to create deep L-RGB or narrow band nebula images in just one night.

Further advantages and product features of the ASI 533MM Pro camera:

• USB 3.0 for fast download - can also be used with USB 2.0
• DDR3 memory buffer for stable data transfer with USB2.0 - minimizes amplifier glow
• Powerful Peltier cooling up to 35 °C under ambient conditions
• One of Sony´s most light-sensitive CMOS sensors
• High resolution by 3.76 µm pixels - ideal for fast and sharp telescopes like apos, Hyperstar, Celestron Faststar, Newtonian telescopes, ...
• Supplied with AR clear glass filter - full transmission also in infrared. If the IR is to be blocked, an IR cut filter is required.
• Distance T2 connection thread (female thread) to camera sensor: 17.5 mm
• Distance front surface to sensor (using male thread): only 6.5 mm
• High sensitivity - QE over 80% - ideal astronomy camera for low-light objects
• 14-bit ADC ... you reach a depth like with CCD cameras, but with a much higher sensitivity.

Application areas of the camera:

• Deep-sky images (nebulae and galaxies): due to the high sensitivity, nebulae and galaxies are imaged after only a few seconds. The camera can be cooled up to 35 °C below ambient temperature. This further reduces the already low noise. By raising the GAIN (comparable to the ISO setting for digital SLR cameras), you can reduce exposure times to less than 30 seconds. Effects caused by air turbulence or inaccuracies in the tracking are thus eliminated.

• Lunar and planetary images: extremely short exposure times due to high sensitivity freeze the air turbulence. Due to the high resolution of the sensor, many details can be imaged even with a shorter telescope focal length. Video astronomy is also possible.

Back illumination technology

Sony?s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction ? the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

The backside exposure improves the light absorption and increases the amount of light at the same time. This allows significantly shorter exposure times and leads to an improved quantum efficiency of 80%.

Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

Zero amp glow

Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as the tell tale signs of ?amp glow?. As the ASI533MM Pro uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won?t have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

Important: external power supply required!

Please notice that all ZWO cameras with cooler need to be connected to an external 11-15 V power supply to work.

Even when the cooler is not being used the power supply must be used for the camera to be reliably recognized.

Optimal support before and after the purchase through APM Telescopes:

We work with the cameras ourselves and can offer you optimal advice. Which camera fits to your telescope, how do you achieve the optimal adaptation? Teleskop-Service is one of the largest ZWO dealers. Through our contacts we also offer the best possible service after the purchase.

Practical tip 1 from APM: Integration of 2" filters, 360° rotation and quick coupling

The camera is often used on correctors that do not have a filter thread. In addition, the filters should always be used as close as possible to the camera. Here we offer you a solution that can do much more.

• 2" filter holder directly in front of the camera
• 360° rotation for the right choice of the image section (less important here because of the square format)
• Quick release - you can remove the camera from the remote ear at any time, without screws and thus entangling the cables

The adaptation is very simple, the 21 mm T2 extension is replaced by:

• 1x TSROTT2-T2 and 2x T2AbstimmA1

One tuning ring comes to the camera side, one tuning ring comes to the telescope side of the rotator. Then screw on the M42-M48 adapter with 16.5 mm length and you are in the right distance with the camera.

Practical tip 2 from APM: Storage of cameras and accessories

Especially in our latitudes, the nights are often very humid. This humidity condenses on your camera, eyepiece or filter when they come into the warm interior of the apartment. Especially cooled cameras are affected by this. Quickly a photo session is over because the sensor ices up.

Good storage is an important prevention against dew and also extends the life span.

After use, put the camera immediately into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel will suck the moisture out of the camera. At the same time, the penetration of humid room air is prevented. Dry storage even allows the small dry tablets in cooled cameras to partially regenerate. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimal condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.

Downloads, drivers:

ZW Optical provides software and drivers online for free download.

Software and drivers for all ZWO cameras

Frequently asked questions about ZWO cameras:

The FAQ area is constantly updated by ZWO, here you will find answers to many questions.

FAQ about ZWO cameras

ZWO Users Forum

Manuals for ZWO products:

The manuals page is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find user guides for ZWO products.

Link to the manuals

How to clean my ZWO camera:

The manufacturer provides a manual that covers how to clean an ASI camera and regenerate the desiccant tablets: Please click here.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin