ZW Optical ASI4400MC Pro - USB3.0 Color Astro Camera, Sensor D=43.3 mm

ZW Optical ASI4400MC Pro - USB3.0 Color Astro Camera, Sensor D=43.3 mm

ASI4400MC Pro uses Sony´s latest back-illuminated IMX366 full-frame format 14-bit ADC sensor. It is a 44 MP camera with a pixel size of 4.4 µm that can accommodate a super large well depth of 74.6 ke.

With the low readout noise of 1.1 e and amazing zero amp-glow, the ASI4400MC Pro is born to be another great innovation of ZWO in the field of full-frame cooled OSC astro cameras.

The "single shot" colour camera offers more comfort than monochrome cameras. Not everyone wants to go through the laborious L-RGB process for beautiful coloured nebula or planet images. The color cameras offer you the possibility to get beautiful pictures without changing filters. In direct comparison to the DSLR camera, the ASI camera convinces with a much higher light sensitivity, a smoother image and significantly more depth. Stars don´t burn out that easy.

Further advantages and product features of the ASI 4400MC Pro color 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 frame dropping

No amplifier glow!

Powerful Peltier cooling up to 35 °C under ambient conditions

One of Sony´s most light-sensitive CMOS sensors

Higher full well by 4.4 µm pixels - ideal for medium-speed sharp telescopes like apochromats, Newtonian telescopes, ...

Distance M54x0,75 connection thread (female thread) to camera sensor: 17.5 mm

High sensitivity - QE over 80% - ideal astronomy camera for low-light objects

14-bit ADC ... you can achieve a depth almost like CCD cameras, but with a much higher sensitivity.

Built-in tilter to prevent the sensor from being angled toward the image plane and the resulting blurring

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.

Moon and planetary images: Extremely short exposure times due to high sensitivity freeze the air turbulence. Due to the large sensor, the entire disc of the moon can be imaged even with a longer focal length telescope. Video astronomy is also possible.

Important aspects

Full-frame OSC camera
The ASI4400MC Pro uses full-frame format, the sensor length and width are 36 mm * 24 mm and the diagonal is 43.3 mm.

With 44 megapixels (8192x5460 pixel array) and 4.4 µm pixels, it delivers incredible resolution and light sensitivity in every shot. The full-frame format lets you capture the entire field your optics can deliver - no cropping, no lost edges - perfect for wide-field targets and large deep-sky objects. Each pixel supports a full-well capacity of 74,600 electrons, providing exceptional dynamic range. Bright stars retain their natural color and detail, while faint nebula structures and galaxy arms remain beautifully visible. The result is cleaner, more balanced images with outstanding tonal depth across the frame.

The OSC (One Shot Camera) design is also very well suited for beginners in astrophotography, as it eliminates the need for time-consuming combination of RGB or LRGB images.

QE value
One of the outstanding features of the ASI 4400MC Pro is its sensational light sensitivity. The QE of 80% by the BACK ILLUMINATION technology and the non-existent amplifier glow make the camera very suitable for all astronomical applications, but especially for deep sky astrophotography.

IMX366 Backlit Sensor
The back-illuminated CMOS 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.

With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor´s light-sensitive area (photo-diode) impede photon gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.

Large well depth capacity, low read-out noise and high dynamic range
Despite its moderately large 4.4 µm pixels, the ASI4400MC Pro still has a full well capacity of 74.6 ke, giving it a very high dynamic range of over 13 f-stops. This reduces the likelihood of overexposure and achieves richer color gradation.

GLOW Supression Function
The ASI4400MC Pro camera features ZWO’s proprietary Glow Suppression technology, which effectively controls sensor glow and maximizes overall imaging performance. This technology is implemented directly at the hardware level and does not require any software intervention. While Glow Suppression significantly reduces CMOS sensor glow, it does not eliminate it entirely. A small amount of glow may still be present; however, with dark-frame calibration, it has no impact on the final image quality.

Two-stage TEC cooling: ultra-low dark current
ASI4400MC Pro uses two stage TEC cooling that can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to 30 to 35 °C below ambient, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even with extended exposure times.

The unique dark current suppression technology can even further reduce dark current noise. When it is cooled to -20 °C, the current noise can be as low as 0.001995 e/s/pix, which is completely negligible!

Note: ASI4400 Pro camera requires 1 A current from the USB, if your PC can not provide enough current, please use an external 12 V power supply to power the camera.

Anti-dew heater integrated
The ASI4400MC Pro comes with the polyimide heater that can avoid any dew problems. The anti-dew heater, which fits completely onto the protective window, heats it up slightly to prevent condensation problems.

The power of the anti-dew heater is approx. 5 W. It can be turned off in the software to save power.

USB3.0 & 512 MB DDR3 memory
The ASI4400MC Pro is equipped with a USB 3.0 transmission interface and a built-in 512 MB (4 Gbit) DDR3 cache to ensure stable and secure data transmission. Under long exposure, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces the glow effect caused by slow reading speed.

Sensor tilt adjustment
The ASI4400MC Pro includes three sets of sensor tilt adjustment screws. Each set has a push and a pull screw that let you fine-tune the sensor´s alignment with your telescope´s optical axis. This adjustment helps correct any slight tilt that can cause stars to appear elongated or out of focus toward the edges of the frame, ensuring sharp, even focus across the entire image.

Further notes and helpful information

Important: external power supply required!
This camera requires 1 amp even in uncooled operation, which is a problem for USB sockets on computers, because they are only rated for 900 mA (0.9 A).

Stable operation of the camera is therefore only possible with an external 12 V power supply.

Optimal support before and after the purchase through Teleskop-Service
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 TS: 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

Quick release - you can remove the camera from the telescope at any time, without screws and thus entangling the cables

The adaptation is very simple, the 21 mm adaptation from M54 to M48 is replaced by:

TSM54a-m48i, TSROTM48-M48 and M48AbstimmA05

The adapter TSM54a-M48i is screwed into the camera. Then the rotator TSRot... Between the M48-M48 adapter with 16.5 mm length, which is included in the delivery, comes the 0.5 mm tuning ring and you are already in the right distance with the camera. When using a filter, depending on the filter thickness, M48Abstimm08 or even M48AbstimmA1 may be more suitable than M48AbstimmA05, as the filter shifts the focus slightly outward.

Practical tip 2 from TS: 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.

The cameras are not airtight, so if the camera remains on the telescope, it is exposed to moisture. The small amount of desiccant in the camera can protect the sensor and the inside of the protective glass from moisture for the duration of the exposure, but not for days on end. Moisture problems can be the result. A simple trick is to stretch a plastic bag around the focuser to which the camera is attached so that no air can get in. Silica gel is placed in a small cloth bag inside the plastic bag. This will also create a "dry climate zone" for the camera on the telescope. This allows you to leave the camera on the telescope for a few days for an imaging session lasting several days.

In the medium and long term, however, this is no substitute for proper storage in an airtight case with silica gel.

Downloads, drivers:
ZWO 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.

- Camera
- 2" Dust Cover
- M48 Extender (16.5 mm)
- M54M-M48F Adapter (21 mm)
- M48F-T2M Adapter (0 mm)
- Hexagon Key
- 2x USB 2.0 cable (0.5 m)
- USB 3.0 cable (2 m)
- ASI Quick Guide
- Camera Bag

Safety informations: PDF Download