ZWO ASI294MM Detailed Review - Can it beat the 1600MM?

UPDATES & CLARIFICATIONS:
ZWO has released their unlocked binning mode, find the full video about this here: • Is This The Highest Re...
The 294MM does NOT have a dew heater. ZWO has since clarified this.
In the video I mention the pixel size as nanometers. This is incorrect, it is 4.63 micrometers or microns.
ZWO has released their new micro 4/3" monochrome camera and it may be the best monochrome micro 4/3 yet! Can it beat the long standing ASI1600MM as the micro 4/3" king? Let's dive into why this camera has so many people excited!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:20 Build Quality & Overview
2:33 ASI294MM Features
6:12 Binning & QHY294M
9:27 294MM vs 1600MM
14:10 LRGB with 294MC & 294MM
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[@tullyfisher]

Your explanations with regard to individual categories were very helpful to me. I never had a dedicated astro cam before but I want to buy one in the future. So I do my research to get an idea about the different facts associated with it. Thank you & cs.

[@federicocardona4716]

Fantastic review, thanks! 😊

[@DSOImager]

Just picked up this camera a couple of weeks ago. Preliminary results look very promising.

[@astrogerard2022]

At last a review that actually uses the camera. Very informative. Thanks.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Glad it was helpful! I will be posting a follow up shortly as ZWO appears to be working on the unlocked binning mode of this camera.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Apologies for the autofocus issues, turns out my camera may need glasses like me! UPDATE: The 294MM does NOT have a dew heater. ZWO has since clarified this. Clarification: In the video I mention the pixel size as nanometers. This is incorrect, it is 4.63 micrometers or microns.

[@Phillyo118]

Turn it to manual focus if you aren't using a really narrow depth of field, it's stop the camera from hunting periodically :)

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Yeah usually I leave it on manual but forgot to swap it over when filming. 😓

[@Thunder_Dome45]

I almost bought the QHY version of this because of the dew heater inside, but I didn't think the connections on the camera would fit the ZWO filter wheel, like the ZWO 294mm would. It's also cheaper on price too. ZWO did open the 2.3um bin 1x1 function of the camera now. I wish they would start adding the dew heater on the window though. My 183mm pro hasn't had a problem in Oklahoma with dew yet that I can see.

[@geldingmakr]

I was bummed to learn there was no dew heater in there.

[@paulbenoit249]

Excellent review. Finally found someone doing what I have been considering for months, I.e getting the color from a MC Pro color, then get the luminance from a MM model and combine them together. I take it you shoot with the MM on bin1 to get max resolution (not to mention that on short focal length the sampling makes more sense)? Thxs.

[@sjpp71]

Great review! I own a QHY183c and I like it, even though pixels are tiny (2.4um). I'm considering getting a mono camera and making my mind between the 1600mm or the 294mm (while waiting for them to be available anywhere here in Australia...). Is quite interesting what you showed about blending luminance with OSC data! Do you think it's worth blending OSC data with narrowband OSC (for instance, data gathered with l-pro and l-extreme filters)? Thanks.

[@jujubean7664]

Great video!! I just ordered the ASI294 MC Pro (:

[@AstroWithRoRo]

The 294MC is a great camera, hope you enjoy it!

[@foxglovemead]

Great review. The 294MC has the same four sub-pixels in the colour chip but chooses to bin these so that you have more bit depth, if I read the spec right, as the mono version?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Sony bins the 294 sensor by default, this sensor cannot be unbinned as the pixels have the bayer matrix built on top of them, and this would need to be removed to gain access to the unbinned mode as far as I understand. The 294MM is able to use the unbinned mode since there is no bayer matrix on the sensor.

[@TheWonkyAstronomer]

I'm convinced!

[@bobbeanbags]

This was an awesome review. Do you have any more examples of using data from the 294MC along with 294MM? I loved the result you showed!

[@bobbeanbags]

I have a 294MCPro and I’m considering getting a 294MMPro to create SHO images using the luminance example you provided in your video. I have the L-Pro Extreme as well. Is this still a recommended option? Thanks!

[@paulbenoit249]

Excellent vidéo. Loved the last part more specifically, as I always wondered about the option indeed to buy both versions of the same camera, in Color and monochrome as an alternative to mono+filters. Even more so with the new ASI option of the 294 to take high resolution luminance shots to provide more coherent data with shortish focal lengths. This is the first time I truly found someone to look into this option in details. Loved your comparison of shot Color vs shot Color + luminance. Was wondering if you had also compared the full LRGB classic version using the mono sensor vs. that hybrid mode, I.e. Color from the Color camera and luminance with the mono? From a practicality standpoint, no brainer I guess but wondering about the qualitative aspect. Thanks again.

[@bobbeanbags]

I really love the example you showed combining an OSC image from the 294MC Pro with a mono image from the 294MM Pro. How would I do this? Take the 294MM subs using a luminance filter and combine with the color subs? Thank you!

[@AstroWithRoRo]

That's exactly what I did. Took L frames only with the MM and then combined these with the OCS frames as a colour layer on top. Since they have the exact same resolution, it's a super simple match. :) You can also do this really simply in Photoshop by adding the OCS as a new layer and selecting "colour" blend mode.

[@vk2np]

I like your idea of using a Mono and a OSC rather than a bunch of filters and corresponding calibration files . ZWO has now unlocked the binning on this camera so now just a brand choice.

[@petecarpenter1068]

Thanks for the very useful and informative videos that you have shared Rohan. I would appreciate your thoughts on my intentions to start mono photography. I have the ASI 294 MC pro which I have got used to , the necessary calibration frames etc, and am trying to decide whether to get the mono version of the 294 or the ASI 2600 MM pro….. of course the price difference is considerable and I could buy the 294 and a set of Antlia 5 nm filters for less than the cost of the 2600. I just don’t know which way to go. Being in New Zealand I have to buy everything from overseas with no chance of simple returns for warranty issues etc and the oil leak issue of the 2600, now hopefully cured is a consideration. I’d love to have the cleaner data from the 2600 but is the extra cost worth it? The camera will be used with a Skywatcher 120 Esprit and a William Optics FLT 91 mainly with occasional use on a Redcat 51. Any input from your considerable knowledge will be most welcome. Thank you.

[@petecarpenter1068]

Apologies for the typing error, it should be 4.5 nm filters. Thanks.

[@christopherdeaver5372]

Thanks for the video

[@AstroWithRoRo]

No problem!

[@Mistr_A]

Great video but the autofocus on your camera made it hard to watch. I have the 294mc and use the optolong L-enhance so how would that work with the Lrgb processing if I also added a luminance layer from the mm?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Yes apologies about the autofocus. You can use the L-Enhance on the 294MM to get a dual narrowband luminance layer. You can then layer the 294MC RGB over the top in photoshop. I will make a quick tutorial video about this and upload it as soon as we get some clear nights :)

[@bobbeanbags]

@@AstroWithRoRo have you made a video on this yet? Thanks!

[@alfatauri2]

How is the linearity of this camera? Is it suitable to do photometry with it? Tanks, very interesting video

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Unfortunately I don't have any step wedges so don't think I am able to test the linearity of the sensor. :(

[@BigBadLoneWolf]

As someone, who has yet to buy a dedicated astro camera, and still imaging wide field with a FS DSLR, this camera makes sense to me. It will cover a wider range of focal lengths from 250 - 1000mm +. the cost of the camera and the filter wheel and filters is around the same as 2 OSC camera's that would cover the range of focal lengths i aim to use

[@Avecfort]

Not complaining, just curious what camera you were filming with. Great video!

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Thank you! I use the Nikon Z6 II for my filming.

[@baszonneveld7740]

Nice vid, got my 294mm... for the next vid, turn the autofocus off ;)

[@juanfelipecardemilwinkler5883]

Hi!, great video, thanks!!... I'm really interested in this camera, wich size of filters are you using? I think that 1.25" is enough (like with the ASI1600, same size sensor) I used Astronomytools (result=24.62mm) but experienced opinions is always best that a calculator :-)

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I am using 2" filters as I also have some full frame sensors, but I believe you can get away with 1.25" filters depending on how fast your telescope is.

[@juanfelipecardemilwinkler5883]

@@AstroWithRoRo Thank you for your answer!... yes I think that with 1.25" is ok, my setup is an AT72 F6 with 0.8x flattner results in F4.8, 344mm FL. Maybe is better 31mm unmounted and can work with a posible APS-C upgrade, but right know 36mm or 2" is out of my budget. Clear skies

[@barrymoroney2411]

can I bin with this camera, 1x1 2x2 3x3 4x4

[@GregShaw]

So this is the new generation mono. I've been holding out to see if they would release a 2600 version without amp glow. still undecided on whether to go 2600 OSC or the new generation Mono cameras

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I believe they will be releasing a mono version of the 2600 2021. If you can afford to go with ASP-C sized sensors, and you're ok with slightly smaller pixels then the 2600 is a great camera. I'd love to try it out one day!

[@jesuspineiro1622]

Excellent review but you are confusing the measurements of the pixels. When you say nanometers you must say micrometers or micron. The pixel size of the 294MM is 4.63 micrometers (micron) not 4.63 nanometers. Please, correct that mistake

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Thanks for the feedback, and yes I got my measurements confused. I have added a clarification to the pinned comment mentioning this error. :)

[@hael8680]

With the banding issues, the difficulty of calibrating images and the odd microlensing effects with narrowband filters that a lot of experienced users are reporting and not able to get rid of, the 1600MM is still around for a while. Unless the panasonic sensor gets discontinued.

[@hael8680]

@@arun120977 thank you for the info. What about the banding issue that have been reported by many users?

[@emuhead]

Hi, idea for next video, a comparison of 1600mm pro vs 294mm pro output images. I think seeing how much better this cameras images are over the 1600 would be interesting. 👍

[@AstroWithRoRo]

if I could get my hands on a 1600MM I would definitely do this! Need to keep my eyes out for one going cheap or see if someone local can lend me one.

[@emuhead]

@@AstroWithRoRo Hi, how are you getting on with the 294mm? Any issues? I'm contemplating it. 😁 Thanks,

[@AstroWithRoRo]

No issues, and loving the camera so far. It’s super sensitive and works great with filters. I’m still testing the new 1x1 bin mode vs 2x2 mode to see what I like more, it’s great to have the flexibility though.

[@TomDastrup]

I bought the 294mm pro. It's a great camera. ZWO needs to unlock the binning. That would make it perfect. If they don't, I'll feel stupid for not getting the QHY...

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Agreed they really need to release the ability to match QHY else people will start to turn away from their products.

[@gewglesux]

I guess Amp glow is everywhere... not easily gotten rid of.

[@dekemp1986]

I was planning to get into mono with the 1600 untill they told the 294mm was comming. But with me not invested in zwo parts yet, like the filter wheel and focusers and all, i am going with the QHY294m because of the unlocked Read mode. Guess i am going to sucked into the QHY family then

[@AstroWithRoRo]

It's a shame that ZWO hasn't confirmed the unlocked read mode. I agree if you want this functionality go with the QHY.

[@dekemp1986]

@@AstroWithRoRo ZWO just anounced yesterday they are busy unlocking it. I just ordered the QHY 294m last week. LOL

[@User1dentification]

OMG a Corgi! Do some Corgi videos!!!

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I will see how I can fit her into my video's more :D

[@trevorworrall1226]

Great review , but your video cam seem to have a "hunting" focus towards the end of the review .

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I have replaced that camera, the new one doesn't have this issue any more. :)

[@whitefang8329]

ZWO ASI533MC Pro

[@donboy-createdforawe4710]

I don't believe this camera is equipped with a built-in dew heater. There's no mention of it on ZWOs product specs.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

You are correct. Looks like ZWO incorrectly referenced this on their page and it has since been removed: bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/11412-asi294mm-dew-heater

[@astronomylabYT]

You mean micro meters not nano meters!

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Yes! Thanks for the correction. I've been spending too much time thinking about narrowband filters and nano meters got stuck in my head.

[@pingcheng2328]

the pixel size is micro meters not nm...

[@tempusfugit6820]

Thank you for the review but this is all based on a seller's specs. I was expecting a real life image comparison to see the difference. It is a bit premature to say "this camera kills the 1600MM in nearly every regard" without having even tried the 1600MM yourself or having real life examples to show. I am not trying to protect the 1600. Of course it will be surpassed eventually but you are making assumptions without proof.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

The specs released by ZWO also also mirrored by Sony who manufactures the sensor. So these specs are not just taking the seller at their word. For this sensor it can also be verified against other sellers (like QHY) to make sure all specs line up nicely for the sensor. I totally understand the criticism though, and if I owned a 1600MM I absolutely would have done a side-by-side. Hopefully for new cameras I will be able to do this, just need to work on the funds ;)

[@egg0408]

very expensive for so little production.

[@thethirdman225]

Turn off the AF in your camera.

[@Nick-we7lf]

fix your autofocus dude. I am getting dizzy. Great review but i ended up listening rather than watching.