ZWO ASI664MC Colour Planetary Camera – High Speed, High Sensitivity Imaging

The ZWO ASI664MC is a professional colour planetary camera equipped with Sony’s advanced STARVIS 2 IMX664 back-illuminated CMOS sensor. With a 1/1.8″ diagonal, 4.15MP resolution, and 2.9µm pixels, it delivers sharp, detailed imaging. Compared to the earlier ASI662MC, this model introduces a larger sensor, higher resolution, and complete elimination of amp glow.

Importantly, the IMX664 sensor offers a peak quantum efficiency (QE) of up to 91%. Thanks to its excellent sensitivity across both visible and near-infrared wavelengths—combined with extremely low read noise—it performs exceptionally well in high-resolution planetary and solar imaging. Additionally, the ASI664MC features a generous full well depth of 36.5ke- and impressively low read noise of just 0.46e-, which further enhances image clarity and dynamic range

For fast data transfer, the camera includes a USB 3.0 interface supporting 5Gbps bandwidth. As a result, it can achieve up to 95 frames per second in 12-bit mode at full resolution. However, the final frame rate may vary depending on your computer’s processing capabilities and storage speed. To maximise performance, using a solid-state drive (SSD) is strongly recommended.

Moreover, the ASI664MC includes ZWO’s High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode. This feature automatically activates at gain values above 252, significantly reducing read noise to below 1.0e- while maintaining a dynamic range close to 11 bits. Therefore, you can capture high-contrast images even under high gain conditions.

To further improve image quality, the camera has hardware-level anti-amp glow circuitry built-in. It also comes with a 21mm AR-coated protective window (1.1mm thick), which increases light transmission—especially in ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths

Overall, the ASI664MC delivers a powerful blend of speed, sensitivity, and detail—making it a top choice for dedicated planetary and solar imaging workflows.

Mechanical Diagram