ZWO ASI 533mm Pro Review

[@AstroFarsography]

Hope you enjoyed the review. I really worked hard to add more shots of the products in and raise the production value after some feedback I've had on other reviews! Also, the more I think about it, ZWO probably doesn't supply a power lead due to a couple reasons: 1) Localisation: this way they don't have to add in all sorts of different plugs for the outlets around the world 2) it wouldn't fit in the nifty little square box they like to ship their cameras in! Clear skies everyone, keep looking up and keep them cameras clicking!

[@ronstewtsaw]

You're being a bit too kind now. There are dozens of manufacturers of power supplies that can take 50 or 60 Hz AC, anything from 100 to 220 V, and output DC. And there are just three standard sockets in the power bricks (2-conductor polarised, 2-conducter non-polarised and 3-conductor) so it is just the cable to the wall that needs to be localised.

[@zwoastro]

Hi Ruzeen, thanks for your ASI533MM Pro review! It's very enjoyable for us to watch! For the power supply you mentioned, yeap it is basically due to the localization problem. We appreciate your understanding, and we will also convey your feedbacks to our devs. Again, thanks for sharing your fair comments on this camera to the public.

[@zwoastro]

One more thing: the delta T of this camera is 35 degree, which means if your environment temperature is 20 degree, then the camera can be cooled to -15 degree at most.

[@uschi414]

Nice review. But just a quick correction that has nothing to do with the camera - shot noise isn't the same as read noise. Shot noise is the result of photons coming in at irregular rates. It's kind of like rain falling on a give spot (pixel) being slightly different from one second to the next. This results in varying amounts of signal for a given pixel, and that variation is the shot noise.

[@FMasamune]

Great review as always! I've had the 533MM for a couple of months. I bought it basically because I was using a full spectrum EOS R in Texas (was around 90 F/32 C at night) and wanted the cooling. I am currently pairing with the Sharpstar EDPHII and the sensitivity of this camera with the focal ratio of that scope (with focal reducer) makes for some really nice images! I also have found that I really love the square. It has helped me worry less about rotation or too much "dead space" in an image.

[@AstroFarsography]

Thanks for the comment mate. Oh yeah I can imagine that cooling comes in particularly helpful for you! I'm sure the EOS R is a capable camera but that cooling makes a difference. 533MM with the SS 61EDPH2 sounds like a wonderful combination, I bet you get a really nice field of view with that! And also I agree about the square, even if you do rotate mid project, you probably can still salvage it and stack it into a useable image

[@taras3702]

I have been using a ZWO 533MM camera for over a year, and it's been nothing less than fantastic for my Astro-Tech 80mm EDT refractor. I have a photography background from childhood, so choosing a monochrome camera presented no problems even though it's my first astronomical camera. The sensor is very sensitive and the noise levels are very low. I have no regrets choosing this camera. Right now I am using it for RGB, LRGB and LHaRGB imaging, but I eventually will get another filter wheel so I can do narrow band imaging as well as LRGB imaging.

[@BorealisLite]

I've had the 533mc from day 1 after upgrading from a dslr & love it. I just got the 533mm a couple of days ago with sho filters only. I'm blown away by the difference over an L-extreme on the mc. The only dissapointment is that the rotation angles are very different when screwed into my wheel so hot swapping (to grab Ha for a galaxy for example,) is not as simple as it could be. Other than that I think it will be an outstanding addition & concur with your thoughts. I'm keeping the mc for broadband bc lrgb filters + a bigger wheel would cost as much as I could sell the mc for, unless you review the mc with an L-pro vs the mm with lrgb & the latter wins big time. Hint hint.. Tks for another good vid.

[@HelenasAstrophotography]

Excellent video Ruz. That b-roll is just stunning! Really enhances what you are saying. Awesome work 😁

[@astrojourneyuk]

I have the colour version which has its pros and cons. The square sensor can take a bit of getting used to and the amp glow or lack of is definitely way better than the 183. Overall I love mine too.

[@AstroFarsography]

Agreed. The 183 is a mint camera with those tiny pixels and huge megapixel resolution for printing. But that amp glow has always been a thorn in my side when I used it

[@OutlandishJourneys]

Great review, Ruz! Love the colour version of the 533 and am seriously looking at the MM as being my first deepsky mono camera...your info has proved helpful and keep up the great work! :)

[@jfalcon1977]

Thanks for this thoughtfull review! I am really interested in it for my Redcat 51. I would also add that the 9MP (relatively low, smaller file sizes) resolution is a welcome advantage at the time of processing and computer processing requirements. Being said all that, I must admit I am in still in doubt vs 183mm pro, due to a much better resolution and sampling with my RC51 (probably not even need of drizzling?), and its rectangular sensor shape which I find nicer generally speaking, and easier to live with, at least for printing.

[@Zealor365]

Have been using this camera for about 2 months now. I am pleased with the performance and as others have said,, it takes some getting used to a sqare sensor after 16:9 format.

[@JonnyBravo0311]

Small correction... around 7:10 you mention that the camera can cool to -40C and put -104F as equivalent. That may be true for +40C; however, -40C has the distinct characteristic of also being -40F. :) I've been using a 294MM for a few years now and have considered picking up the 533MM quite a few times. Still might... The lack of a power brick really kills me, too. Come on... include the brick with your pro cameras. As for the specs, nothing new for this camera. ZWO / QHY / etc all cherry pick the BEST value for a SINGLE measurement. Read noise? 1.0 e-rms! Full well? 50ke-! QE? 91%! You as the consumer definitely need to learn to read the data charts to realize you ONLY get that 50ke- at gain 0... which also gets you the highest shot noise of 3.8 e-rms. You ONLY get noise of 1.0 e-rms at the highest gain setting, sacrificing nearly 6 stops of dynamic range and like 49.8ke- of that well. Marketing at its finest :D

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Very good review Ruzeen. Very informative. Well, what this boils down to. ... I WANT the mono version

[@astrofisching]

Great review! It’s on my list to buy at some point!

[@AstroFarsography]

Thanks mate, yeah its a good camera if I had the cash I'd probably keep it also

[@noddyonice]

Great review Ruz! Have the OSC and love it. If I ever go mono, I’m pretty sure this will be my camera of choice. 👍🏻 Noddy

[@johnsgarage6622]

Great review. Currently looking at the 533MM for a first cooled camera. However for now getting used to imaging with my Nikon dslr and Redcat

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Great review. Makes me want to sneakily get back a little into deep sky again also :D.

[@Shamol]

I got this bundle yesterday 😁

[@PaoloBanci]

I don't know why but I can't use it with NINA. Only with Stellarmate. When there is the download of the image it gives a strange error message. ZWO says it depends on NINA the others say it depends on ZWO, and they are all happy. I use 533 Mc

[@hapestr]

Thanks, Ruzeen, for another great vid! One question: This sensor is also available (e.g. from other manufacturers) without the cooling. In my parts of the world (very North), deep sky imaging is typically done throughout the late fall, winter and early spring. Ambient temps at this time of year are usually sub-zero at night. With the zero amp glow sensor, and cool ambient temps - would you think that a cooled camera is strictly necessary? If you ever have the time and possibility, a comparative test between this 533MM and - say - the Player One Saturn M (uncooled) would be great!

[@dadwhitsett]

Where I image it is mostly warm. However I have found that if you are imaging with your sensor at 0° C you likely do not need further cooling to reasonably mitigate noise. Remember however that heat is generated within the sensor so just because it is 0° ambient does not necessarily mean the sensor is 0°. Would be interesting to know the differential at those temperatures without cooling.

[@LogansAstro]

Nice review of the 533. Amp glow can be calibrated out as you said but I agree that not having it is certainly nice and to be honest, I don't know that I'd by one that had amp glow after being spoiled with having one with no amp glow. I expect amp glow will soon be a thing of the past.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Nice review the square sensor would take me a while to get used to though on either models of these cameras, I do think a power supply should be with the cameras though, which brings me onto the next bit we've just set up at Kelling Heath & there's gonna be a few vendors here I think this weekend is gonna get costly lol.

[@AstroFarsography]

Thank you! I thought the same about the square sensor but it really wasn't too bad to get familiar with. Hope you enjoy the star party and get some clear skies out there! When I finally got round to looking all the tickets had sold out haha

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

@@AstroFarsography Try & get a pitch next year the clouds are stunning lol.

[@awesomeconcreteinc.7758]

Nicely done!

[@AstroFarsography]

Thanks mate!

[@Robert_Nik]

Nice) I've zwo 533mc and sw 150 pds... I need small focus.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Looking forward to images taken with it mate

[@sanacca]

Hi I have a question, is it not better to buy a 2600mm and use crop?

[@AstroFarsography]

You could. Digital cropping isn't usually the best result though, even if the 2600mm has almost twice the horizontal pixels, you may suffer from resolution losses cropping down. Also the 2600mm is literally twice the price as the 533mm. It will fall on your budgetary requirements and other items such as what telescope you use. The sensor is much bigger in the 2600 so will have a different field of view etc. So, it's not as simple as a yes or no answer unfortunately

[@sanacca]

@@AstroFarsography thank you for responding so fast! I am thinking of buying a 533mm to suit my skywatcher Quattros (200p and 150p) I’m just so in between the chairs what camera to buy… I think the 533 is the one to go if hunting galaxy’s.. the resolution loss is a big no no for me 🤷‍♂️

[@avananana]

What sort of timing is this. I got a mail like 6 hours ago that my ZWO ASI 533mm Pro is in the shipping process and should arrive by Friday afternoon. Not sure if the timing is bad or good cuz I already knew it's a good camera for what I want but man, the same day.

[@AstroFarsography]

Haha that's some good timing for sure. Enjoy your new camera!

[@KopLamp]

Nice review. I thought about buying the 533MC for my EdgeHD when my 294 broke down, but I decided not to because of the astronomy.tools under/oversampling calculations. I am happily still using the 294MC pro which has been repaired by ZWO using an L-Extreme or an L-Pro.

[@AstroFarsography]

Thanks Martin. Yeah for an EdgeHD it may not have been a good fit. Sometimes getting the right camera for the optics just takes precedence over other specs and if you're crushing it with the 294mc then let the good times roll!