ZWO ASI174MM Mini 2.3MP CMOS Monochrome Astronomy Camera
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- 2.3MP monochrome guide camera
- Large 11.3mm x 7.1mm sensor offers a wide field of view
- High 77% quantum efficiency boosts sensitivity in low light
- Low read noise for cleaner images and accurate guiding
- Perfect for lunar and planetary imaging
- USB 2.0 Type-C connection plus ST4 autoguide port
- Includes all cables, adapters, and documentation
- Lightweight, just 4.9oz (140g)
ASI174MM Mini: The Ideal Wide-Field Guide Camera
ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini delivers exceptional performance for astrophotographers prioritizing precise guiding and capturing details in planetary imaging. Its larger sensor size makes it perfect for use with an off-axis guider, especially on telescopes with longer focal lengths like Schmidt-Cassegrain or Ritchey-Chrétien. Despite its compact size, this monochrome camera delivers outstanding results. This is thanks to its superb resolution, high quantum efficiency, and low read noise.
Versatile and Robust: Standout Features of the ZWO ASI174MM Mini
OAG & Guidescope Ready
The ZWO ASI174MM Mini is a 1.25 inch guide camera with a large sensor and mid-sized pixels, making it a top choice for reliable, flexible guiding. It's fully compatible with ZWO off-axis guiders and guide scopes, thanks to its standard 1.25 inch body and backfocus. The sensor size gives you a wider field of view than most guide cameras, great for spotting bright guide stars, even in narrow fields. Whether you're using a long focal length reflector or a fast refractor, the ASI174MM Mini works well across a wide range of imaging setups.
Larger Sensor for Better Star Selection
A larger 1/1.2-inch (11.3mm x 7.1mm) sensor is the standout feature of the ASI174MM Mini, offering a wider field of view (FOV) than similar guide cameras. This means more stars are available for the autoguiding software to choose from, resulting in a better signal and improved autoguiding performance. This is especially important when using an off-axis guider or when using telescopes with longer focal lengths. These narrower fields of view may prevent you from finding any stars.
High Sensitivity Imaging & Guiding
The camera utilizes the IMX249 CMOS sensor, a 1/1.2" (11.3mm x 7.1mm) monochrome sensor with a resolution of 1936 x 1216 pixels and 5.86 micron pixel size. It has a high quantum efficiency (QE) of 77% and an impressively low read noise of just 3.5e, making it extremely sensitive to even the faintest light sources. With 12-bit ADC and a frame rate of 18.4fps, the ASI174MM Mini provides smooth imaging and precise guiding.
Astrophotography with the ASI174MM Mini
The ZWO ASI174MM Mini isn't just a guide camera. It’s great for solar, lunar, and planetary imaging. Though its frame rate is modest, the ASI174MM Mini’s large pixels and sharp monochrome sensor work beautifully with long focal length telescopes to capture fine details on the Sun (using a proper solar filter), lunar craters, and planetary features. It even doubles as an all-sky camera for cloud monitoring or meteor detection with a simple C/CS adapter. The 174MM mini is a solid option for anyone looking to explore high-resolution solar system imaging without breaking the bank.
A Match for any OAG or Guidescope
This solar image was captured using the ZWO ASI174MM Mini with a Lunt LS60THa/LS60FHa Double stack and an iOptron CEM70. 4000 frames were captured, and all images were taken from Huntington Beach, CA (USA). Image credit: Norman Tajudin.
Lunar
This image of Mare Serenitatis was captured using the ZWO ASI174MM Mini, a Celestron 9.25 XLT, and a Losmandy G11 FS2. Image credit: Manel Martín Folch.
More Than Guiding
This image of Jupiter (2022) was captured using a ZWO ASI174MM Mini with 2” Astronomik Type 2c LRGB filters, a 14” Meade UHC SCT, and a Losmandy Titan mount. Lucky imaging was used, and all images were taken from Prunedale, CA (USA). Image credit: Joseph Di Regolo.
The Largest Sensor of Any ZWO Guide Camera
While the ASI290 Mini and the ASI120 Mini are both fantastic cameras, they are better matches for wide-field setups that need smaller pixels and don’t have such a difficult FOV to contend with. The ASI174 Mini would make an ideal match for longer focal length systems, and it is a good match for many older CCD cameras that have large pixels as well.
Sensitive Enough to Guide on Faint Stars
Thanks to its high QE and low read noise, the ASI174MM Mini is sensitive enough to pick up faint stars, even in tricky parts of the sky.
Whether you're using a small guide scope or an off-axis guider with just one or two stars in view, it gives your guiding software the signal it needs to stay on target all night.
Lightweight, Compact, and Easy to Use
Weighing 4.9oz (140g), the ASI174MM Mini won’t noticeably affect your system’s payload. It also has little to no impact on your telescope’s balance, so you can add it to your setup without unlocking clutches or rebalancing. It's a perfect match for 1.25” focusers, thanks to its slim 36mm diameter. This compact design makes installation, focusing, and framing a breeze!
Simple Two-Cable Connectivity for Hardware & Software
The ASI174MM Mini uses a USB 2.0 Type-C interface for fast data transfer and broad compatibility. ZWO also include an ST4 port for direct autoguiding connections to supported mounts.
Ready to Use, Easy to Set Up
ZWO includes everything you need right in the package. This means all the required cables and adapters are provided. And a smooth connection to your computer is as simple as downloading some drivers and plugging in your cable(s).
All drivers and software are available directly from ZWO’s website.
Specifications
-
Manufacturer: ZWO
-
Model: ASI174MM Mini
-
Sensor: 1/1.2″ CMOS IMX249
-
Sensor Resolution: 2.3MP
-
Pixel Size: 5.86um x 5.86um (Square)
-
Resolution: 1936×1216 Pixels
-
Read Noise: 1.0e - 3.5e
-
USB Output: 1x USB 2.0 Type-C
-
Capture Speed: 18.4fps (at Maximum Resolution)
-
Camera Outer Diameter: 36mm
-
Camera Length: 61mm
-
Built-in Thread Size: 1.25″ / M28.5X0.6
-
Backspacing Distance: 8.5mm
-
Weight: 140 Grams (0.3 Pounds)
-
Working Temperature: 23°F to 113°F (-5°C to 45°C)
-
Storage Temperature: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
-
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%;
-
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Connecting the ZWO ASI174MM Mini with C/CS Lenses
Frequently Asked Questions
What CMOS sensor does ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini use?
ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini uses the Sony IMX249 CMOS sensor. It’s a well-regarded 1/1.2" monochrome sensor known for its sensitivity and low noise, ideal for guiding and solar system imaging.
What is the difference between ASI174MM and ASI174MM Mini?
The ASI174MM Mini is a smaller, lighter version of the ASI174MM. The ASI174MM uses Sony’s IMX174 sensor, known for its fast frame rates, perfect for planetary imaging. Newer versions of the Mini switch to Sony’s IMX249 sensor, which delivers similar image quality but with slower frame rates. The Mini’s compact 1.25" body makes it ideal for connecting to guidescopes or off-axis guiders, fitting easily into most setups.
What is the pixel size of the ASI174MM Mini?
The ASI174MM Mini has a pixel size of 5.86 microns. This larger pixel size helps capture more light, making it great for detailed planetary and lunar imaging as well as guiding.
How many frames per second does the ASI174MM support?
The ASI174MM can capture around 18 frames per second (fps) at full resolution. This frame rate is fast enough for smooth guiding and capturing planetary details during video stacking.
What makes the ASI174MM Mini’s sensor good?
The ASI174MM Mini has the largest sensor of any ZWO guide camera, capturing more light than many others with very low background noise. This means it can detect faint stars more easily and takes cleaner, sharper images of the Moon and planets.
What can you use the ASI174MM Mini for?
This camera excels at autoguiding to help keep your telescope steady during long exposures. It also captures excellent images of the Moon, planets, and can photograph the Sun with a proper solar filter. Additionally, it works as an all-sky camera for meteor and cloud monitoring.
Why choose the ASI174MM Mini over smaller cameras?
Its larger sensor captures a wider sky area, giving you more guide stars to choose from, especially useful with telescopes that have a narrow field of view or high magnification, where guide stars can be hard to find.
How do you connect the ASI174MM Mini?
Simply plug in two cables: one USB cable to your computer and one guide cable to your telescope mount.
What telescopes work best with the ASI174MM Mini?
It performs especially well with longer focal length telescopes like Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes, where its larger pixels match perfectly. It also works well on shorter, faster telescopes.
What are the basic specs of the ASI174MM Mini?
The camera captures 2.3 million-pixel images at about 13 frames per second. It operates between 23°F and 113°F (-5°C to 45°C). The sensor sits 8.5mm behind the camera’s mounting thread, which is important for focusing.
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free US Shipping |
|---|---|
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
- ZWO ASI174MM Mini Camera Body
- 1.25” Cover 1.25” Extender Quick Guide
- USB 2.0 Type-C cable (2 meters)
- USB 2.0 Type-C cable (0.5 meters) ST4 Autoguide Cable
- M28.5-CS Adapter
- 2.3MP monochrome guide camera
- Large 11.3mm x 7.1mm sensor offers a wide field of view
- High 77% quantum efficiency boosts sensitivity in low light
- Low read noise for cleaner images and accurate guiding
- Perfect for lunar and planetary imaging
- USB 2.0 Type-C connection plus ST4 autoguide port
- Includes all cables, adapters, and documentation
- Lightweight, just 4.9oz (140g)
ASI174MM Mini: The Ideal Wide-Field Guide Camera
ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini delivers exceptional performance for astrophotographers prioritizing precise guiding and capturing details in planetary imaging. Its larger sensor size makes it perfect for use with an off-axis guider, especially on telescopes with longer focal lengths like Schmidt-Cassegrain or Ritchey-Chrétien. Despite its compact size, this monochrome camera delivers outstanding results. This is thanks to its superb resolution, high quantum efficiency, and low read noise.
Versatile and Robust: Standout Features of the ZWO ASI174MM Mini
OAG & Guidescope Ready
The ZWO ASI174MM Mini is a 1.25 inch guide camera with a large sensor and mid-sized pixels, making it a top choice for reliable, flexible guiding. It's fully compatible with ZWO off-axis guiders and guide scopes, thanks to its standard 1.25 inch body and backfocus. The sensor size gives you a wider field of view than most guide cameras, great for spotting bright guide stars, even in narrow fields. Whether you're using a long focal length reflector or a fast refractor, the ASI174MM Mini works well across a wide range of imaging setups.
Larger Sensor for Better Star Selection
A larger 1/1.2-inch (11.3mm x 7.1mm) sensor is the standout feature of the ASI174MM Mini, offering a wider field of view (FOV) than similar guide cameras. This means more stars are available for the autoguiding software to choose from, resulting in a better signal and improved autoguiding performance. This is especially important when using an off-axis guider or when using telescopes with longer focal lengths. These narrower fields of view may prevent you from finding any stars.
High Sensitivity Imaging & Guiding
The camera utilizes the IMX249 CMOS sensor, a 1/1.2" (11.3mm x 7.1mm) monochrome sensor with a resolution of 1936 x 1216 pixels and 5.86 micron pixel size. It has a high quantum efficiency (QE) of 77% and an impressively low read noise of just 3.5e, making it extremely sensitive to even the faintest light sources. With 12-bit ADC and a frame rate of 18.4fps, the ASI174MM Mini provides smooth imaging and precise guiding.
Astrophotography with the ASI174MM Mini
The ZWO ASI174MM Mini isn't just a guide camera. It’s great for solar, lunar, and planetary imaging. Though its frame rate is modest, the ASI174MM Mini’s large pixels and sharp monochrome sensor work beautifully with long focal length telescopes to capture fine details on the Sun (using a proper solar filter), lunar craters, and planetary features. It even doubles as an all-sky camera for cloud monitoring or meteor detection with a simple C/CS adapter. The 174MM mini is a solid option for anyone looking to explore high-resolution solar system imaging without breaking the bank.
A Match for any OAG or Guidescope
This solar image was captured using the ZWO ASI174MM Mini with a Lunt LS60THa/LS60FHa Double stack and an iOptron CEM70. 4000 frames were captured, and all images were taken from Huntington Beach, CA (USA). Image credit: Norman Tajudin.
Lunar
This image of Mare Serenitatis was captured using the ZWO ASI174MM Mini, a Celestron 9.25 XLT, and a Losmandy G11 FS2. Image credit: Manel Martín Folch.
More Than Guiding
This image of Jupiter (2022) was captured using a ZWO ASI174MM Mini with 2” Astronomik Type 2c LRGB filters, a 14” Meade UHC SCT, and a Losmandy Titan mount. Lucky imaging was used, and all images were taken from Prunedale, CA (USA). Image credit: Joseph Di Regolo.
The Largest Sensor of Any ZWO Guide Camera
While the ASI290 Mini and the ASI120 Mini are both fantastic cameras, they are better matches for wide-field setups that need smaller pixels and don’t have such a difficult FOV to contend with. The ASI174 Mini would make an ideal match for longer focal length systems, and it is a good match for many older CCD cameras that have large pixels as well.
Sensitive Enough to Guide on Faint Stars
Thanks to its high QE and low read noise, the ASI174MM Mini is sensitive enough to pick up faint stars, even in tricky parts of the sky.
Whether you're using a small guide scope or an off-axis guider with just one or two stars in view, it gives your guiding software the signal it needs to stay on target all night.
Lightweight, Compact, and Easy to Use
Weighing 4.9oz (140g), the ASI174MM Mini won’t noticeably affect your system’s payload. It also has little to no impact on your telescope’s balance, so you can add it to your setup without unlocking clutches or rebalancing. It's a perfect match for 1.25” focusers, thanks to its slim 36mm diameter. This compact design makes installation, focusing, and framing a breeze!
Simple Two-Cable Connectivity for Hardware & Software
The ASI174MM Mini uses a USB 2.0 Type-C interface for fast data transfer and broad compatibility. ZWO also include an ST4 port for direct autoguiding connections to supported mounts.
Ready to Use, Easy to Set Up
ZWO includes everything you need right in the package. This means all the required cables and adapters are provided. And a smooth connection to your computer is as simple as downloading some drivers and plugging in your cable(s).
All drivers and software are available directly from ZWO’s website.
Specifications
-
Manufacturer: ZWO
-
Model: ASI174MM Mini
-
Sensor: 1/1.2″ CMOS IMX249
-
Sensor Resolution: 2.3MP
-
Pixel Size: 5.86um x 5.86um (Square)
-
Resolution: 1936×1216 Pixels
-
Read Noise: 1.0e - 3.5e
-
USB Output: 1x USB 2.0 Type-C
-
Capture Speed: 18.4fps (at Maximum Resolution)
-
Camera Outer Diameter: 36mm
-
Camera Length: 61mm
-
Built-in Thread Size: 1.25″ / M28.5X0.6
-
Backspacing Distance: 8.5mm
-
Weight: 140 Grams (0.3 Pounds)
-
Working Temperature: 23°F to 113°F (-5°C to 45°C)
-
Storage Temperature: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
-
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%;
-
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Connecting the ZWO ASI174MM Mini with C/CS Lenses
Frequently Asked Questions
What CMOS sensor does ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini use?
ZWO’s ASI174MM Mini uses the Sony IMX249 CMOS sensor. It’s a well-regarded 1/1.2" monochrome sensor known for its sensitivity and low noise, ideal for guiding and solar system imaging.
What is the difference between ASI174MM and ASI174MM Mini?
The ASI174MM Mini is a smaller, lighter version of the ASI174MM. The ASI174MM uses Sony’s IMX174 sensor, known for its fast frame rates, perfect for planetary imaging. Newer versions of the Mini switch to Sony’s IMX249 sensor, which delivers similar image quality but with slower frame rates. The Mini’s compact 1.25" body makes it ideal for connecting to guidescopes or off-axis guiders, fitting easily into most setups.
What is the pixel size of the ASI174MM Mini?
The ASI174MM Mini has a pixel size of 5.86 microns. This larger pixel size helps capture more light, making it great for detailed planetary and lunar imaging as well as guiding.
How many frames per second does the ASI174MM support?
The ASI174MM can capture around 18 frames per second (fps) at full resolution. This frame rate is fast enough for smooth guiding and capturing planetary details during video stacking.
What makes the ASI174MM Mini’s sensor good?
The ASI174MM Mini has the largest sensor of any ZWO guide camera, capturing more light than many others with very low background noise. This means it can detect faint stars more easily and takes cleaner, sharper images of the Moon and planets.
What can you use the ASI174MM Mini for?
This camera excels at autoguiding to help keep your telescope steady during long exposures. It also captures excellent images of the Moon, planets, and can photograph the Sun with a proper solar filter. Additionally, it works as an all-sky camera for meteor and cloud monitoring.
Why choose the ASI174MM Mini over smaller cameras?
Its larger sensor captures a wider sky area, giving you more guide stars to choose from, especially useful with telescopes that have a narrow field of view or high magnification, where guide stars can be hard to find.
How do you connect the ASI174MM Mini?
Simply plug in two cables: one USB cable to your computer and one guide cable to your telescope mount.
What telescopes work best with the ASI174MM Mini?
It performs especially well with longer focal length telescopes like Schmidt-Cassegrain scopes, where its larger pixels match perfectly. It also works well on shorter, faster telescopes.
What are the basic specs of the ASI174MM Mini?
The camera captures 2.3 million-pixel images at about 13 frames per second. It operates between 23°F and 113°F (-5°C to 45°C). The sensor sits 8.5mm behind the camera’s mounting thread, which is important for focusing.
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free US Shipping |
|---|---|
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
- ZWO ASI174MM Mini Camera Body
- 1.25” Cover 1.25” Extender Quick Guide
- USB 2.0 Type-C cable (2 meters)
- USB 2.0 Type-C cable (0.5 meters) ST4 Autoguide Cable
- M28.5-CS Adapter
ZWO ASI174MM Mini 2.3MP CMOS Monochrome Astronomy Camera