ZWO continues to expand its lineup of astrophotography gear with a series of new releases aimed at making imaging more efficient, compact, and user-friendly. From all-in-one wireless cameras to precision motorized rotators and essential adapter rings, these new tools are designed to simplify workflows while delivering high-end performance for both seasoned astrophotographers and newcomers alike.
This roundup covers ZWO’s latest product releases, including the ASI585MC Air and ASI2600MC/MM Air smart cameras, the precision-built Camera Angle Adjuster, and new M54-M54 adapter rings for focal reducer compatibility. Each product combines thoughtful design with functional upgrades, offering more control, cleaner setups, and improved image acquisition without compromising flexibility.
The ASI585MC Air is ZWO’s wireless smart camera solution for deep-sky astrophotography, retailing for $999.00. It merges three distinct astrophotography components into a single body: the main deep-sky imaging sensor, a guiding sensor, and the integrated controller system based on ZWO’s ASIAIR platform. This integration allows it to serve as an all-in-one imaging, guiding, and control device, making it possible to capture astrophotography images with minimal setup. The camera features a cylindrical form factor with a main body diameter of 78mm, a height of 108mm, and an additional 94mm for the external Wi-Fi antenna. It weighs 635 grams and operates effectively in temperatures between -20°C and 50°C, storing safely up to 60°C.
At the heart of the system is the Sony IMX585 sensor, a color 1/1.2" sensor with a 2.9-micron pixel size and rolling shutter design, delivering a resolution of 3840 x 2160. This sensor operates across a wide spectral sensitivity range from 200nm to 1000nm and supports exposure times from 32 microseconds up to 2000 seconds. It has a full well capacity of 40,000 electrons and peak quantum efficiency near 91 percent, with a dynamic range of 12 stops and read noise ranging from 0.7 to 6.67 electrons. The camera activates HCG (high conversion gain) mode at a gain of 252, which maintains low read noise of 0.7e while preserving dynamic range close to 12-bit. Unity gain is set at 198.
The secondary guide sensor is the monochrome SC2210_BW, sized at 1/1.8” with a larger 4-micron pixel size and resolution of 1920 x 1080. It supports exposures from 32 microseconds to 10 seconds and has a read noise range of 0.6 to 3.2 electrons, with peak quantum efficiency of 92% at 500nm and dynamic range of 11.43 bits. It is designed for high-precision guiding with SNR measured at 11.4 stops.
Internally, the ASI585MC Air includes 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of onboard eMMC storage. The storage has been tested across over 300 benchmarks to ensure stability. External storage expansion is possible through its USB 2.0 ports, supporting up to 1TB drives. There are four USB 2.0 ports for connecting accessories such as filter wheels, focusers, and mounts. It also includes two DC12V 10A ports, which serve both as power input and output, and one USB Type-C port for fast data transfer. The entire device has a maximum power draw of 24.6 watts and is powered via a 12V-3A DC source.
The camera uses STARVIS 2 technology to deliver improved low-light sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio. One standout feature is its hardware-level implementation of zero amp glow, ensuring extremely clean dark frames even at long exposure times and high gain settings. The camera’s cooling system uses a two-stage thermoelectric cooler to reduce the CMOS sensor’s temperature by 30°C to 35°C below ambient, minimizing dark current noise. It includes a heating tube that uses 2.4W to prevent dew formation on the sensor window.
In terms of connectivity, the ASI585MC Air is equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth. Its external antenna ensures stable wireless control within a range of up to 20 meters, with the 2.4GHz band offering longer range and the 5GHz band delivering higher speeds. The camera can be controlled through ZWO’s ASIAIR app and ASIStudio PC software, and it also supports third-party PC control via the ASCOM Alpaca protocol, requiring ASCOM version 6.6 or later.
Frame rate performance for the IMX585 sensor reaches 10.8 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 in RAW16 and 30fps at 640 x 480. The guide sensor achieves a maximum of 8.5fps at 1920 x 1080. Supported resolutions include a range from 320 x 240 to 1920 x 1080 for both sensors. The output formats include RAW8, RAW16, and RGB24, with manual and automatic white balance controls. Software binning options include Bin2, Bin3, and Bin4 on the main sensor and Bin1 and Bin2 on the guiding sensor.
The back focus distance is either 12.5mm or 17.5mm depending on the adapter configuration. The mechanical interface uses an M42x0.75 adapter ring. The device supports software and continuous acquisition modes with auto/manual exposure control and both analog and digital gain settings. Analog gain ranges from 0 to 450dB, with digital gain extending up to 600dB on the main sensor. Offset is recommended at a value of 15.
The software experience includes intelligent live stacking during capture, with real-time adjustments to image brightness and contrast, as well as immediate post-processing. These images can be instantly shared to social media or astronomy forums directly from the app interface. Over-the-air updates are supported via the app, allowing new features and improvements to be added seamlessly.
The ASI585MC Air is compatible across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing users to select their preferred computing platform. This smart camera design aims to reduce the traditional complexity associated with astrophotography setups by integrating imaging, guiding, and control into a single wireless unit. It represents ZWO’s push toward making portable, cable-minimal deep-sky imaging systems that still offer high-end sensor performance, robust connectivity, and powerful onboard processing. At $999.00, the ASI585MC Air positions itself as a comprehensive imaging device tailored to astrophotographers seeking efficiency without sacrificing capability.
The ASI2600MC Air and ASI2600MM Air are ZWO’s high-performance wireless smart cameras tailored for deep-sky astrophotography. The ASI2600MC Air, equipped with a color sensor, is priced at $1,999.00, while the monochrome version, ASI2600MM Air, comes in at $2,499.00. Both models integrate a guiding sensor, a deep-sky imaging sensor, and an internal smart controller built on ZWO’s ASIAIR ecosystem. This all-in-one design allows for streamlined operation without needing additional control hardware or extensive cabling. The device combines imaging, guiding, and system control in a compact form with wireless connectivity, OTA updates, live stacking, and post-processing features available directly via a mobile app.
The main imaging sensor in both variants is the Sony IMX571, a back-illuminated APS-C format CMOS sensor with 26 megapixels and a resolution of 6248 by 4176 pixels. The sensor measures 23.5mm in width by 15.7mm in height with a diagonal of 28.3mm. It uses a 3.76µm pixel size and rolling shutter. In its standard mode, it supports a full well capacity of 50,000 electrons, but with ZWO’s hardware expansion, this capacity increases to 73,000 electrons. This extended full well depth reduces the risk of overexposure during long integrations, preserving highlight details and enhancing overall image dynamic range. The read noise is as low as 0.84 electrons, reaching 1.4e at 10dB gain. Quantum efficiency is over 80% for the color sensor and approximately 91% for the monochrome variant, contributing to high sensitivity under low-light conditions. The analog gain ranges from -25dB to 460dB, and digital gain extends from 461dB to 820dB, with the HCG mode enabling a conversion gain switch at gain level 100. The maximum dynamic range of the sensor is rated at 14 stops, and it outputs in 16-bit ADC with RAW8, RAW16, RGB24, Mono8, and Mono16 formats.
Guiding is handled by the SC2210 monochrome sensor, which also features a rolling shutter. It provides a 1/1.8” sensor size, a 4µm pixel pitch, and a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. The sensor reaches 92% quantum efficiency at 500nm and offers a low read noise of 0.6e, with a range up to 3.2e. Its full well capacity is 8,780 electrons, and it maintains a dynamic range of 11.43 bits. The maximum frame rate for the guide sensor is 8.5 frames per second at full resolution. It operates within the same spectral range as the main sensor and supports Mono8 and Mono16 formats with software binning up to Bin2.
Both models have a two-stage TEC cooling system capable of reducing sensor temperatures by 30 to 35 degrees Celsius below ambient levels. This helps suppress thermal noise and dark current, particularly beneficial during long-exposure imaging sessions. The heating tube power is rated at 3.6W to prevent dew buildup on the optical window. The ASI2600MC Air includes a UV-IR cut filter to block infrared wavelengths, ensuring color fidelity and protecting the sensor from unwanted spectral contamination. This IR-cut window is not present on the monochrome model, which is intended for use with external filters.
Storage and system performance are bolstered by 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of onboard eMMC storage, which has been verified through over 300 benchmark tests for reliability. External storage devices up to 1TB can be connected via the four USB 2.0 ports. The unit includes one USB Type-C port for high-speed data transfer and three DC12V 10A ports that function as both input and output. Only one DC input port should be used at a time, with the remaining two serving as power outputs for other components. Power consumption across the entire system can reach a maximum of 27.6W, and it runs on a standard 12V 3A power input.
Wireless connectivity is delivered through an integrated dual-band antenna supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, compliant with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards. Transmission is effective within a 20-meter range, ensuring reliable wireless operation with the ASIAIR app, as well as compatibility with ZWO’s ASIStudio PC software and third-party control platforms via the ASCOM Alpaca protocol. Bluetooth is also supported, and integration with ZWO’s AM3 and AM5 mounts allows for minimal wiring and neat cable management. The camera body measures 90mm in diameter and 98mm in height, with an external antenna length of 94mm. It weighs 775 grams and can operate between temperatures of -20°C and 50°C, storing safely at temperatures up to 60°C and in humidity ranges between 20% and 90% operationally.
In terms of performance metrics, the IMX571 sensor delivers frame rates of 10.8fps at 1920x1080 resolution, 14.2fps at 1280x960, 18.2fps at 1280x720, 23.8fps at 640x480, 32.8fps at 480x360, and 36.4fps at 320x240. Frame rates for the guiding sensor remain consistent at 8.5fps across all supported resolutions. Both sensors support continuous operation and software-triggered acquisition modes. Exposure times range from 32 microseconds up to 2000 seconds on the main sensor and up to 10 seconds on the guide sensor. White balance can be controlled manually or automatically, and live stacking is fully supported during capture sessions. Captured images can be adjusted for brightness and contrast before being shared directly to social media or astronomy platforms through the ASIAIR interface.
The cameras are equipped with an M54x0.75 adapter ring and support two standard back focus distances of either 12.5mm or 17.5mm. They are compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, ensuring broad usability regardless of the user's computer environment. With its high dynamic range, deep full well capacity, low noise profile, wireless integration, and compact all-in-one design, the ASI2600MC/MM Air series targets intermediate to advanced astrophotographers who seek convenience without compromising imaging quality. The color version, at $1,999.00, suits users looking for a streamlined imaging pipeline without the need for external filters, while the monochrome version at $2,499.00 is ideal for those pursuing maximum image detail and flexibility through filtered imaging workflows.
The ZWO CAA (Camera Angle Adjuster) is a precision electronic rotator designed for astrophotographers who require reliable and precise framing control during their imaging sessions. It is priced at $349 and is complemented by the optional CAA-M42 adapter available separately for $29. The primary purpose of the CAA is to allow users to rotate their camera electronically with fine angular accuracy, thereby improving the composition workflow when capturing deep-sky targets. Its mechanical and electronic design eliminates the need for manually rotating the camera, a task that often introduces tilt, focus shifts, or misalignment during setup.
Constructed with a lightweight but highly rigid chassis, the ZWO CAA measures 16.5mm in thickness and weighs only 465 grams. Despite its slim profile, the device is capable of handling a significant load. ZWO’s internal testing confirmed that it can operate without deformation or rotational slippage even when configured with a large-format camera like the ASI461, a 7-position 50mm electronic filter wheel, and an additional 1kg weight—amounting to more than 4 kilograms of total load. The system remains stable under torque loads exceeding 15 centinewton-meters, maintaining both structural integrity and precise operation under demanding astrophotography setups.
At the heart of the CAA is a high-efficiency stepper motor that drives smooth and controlled camera rotation. The step resolution is 0.02 degrees per step, enabling extremely fine adjustments to image framing. Even across a full 360-degree range of motion, the CAA maintains sub-0.1 degree accuracy, ensuring consistent and repeatable positioning. The maximum rotation speed is 7.5 degrees per second, allowing for fast angular adjustments without long wait times between exposures or framing iterations.
The unit offers excellent mechanical and electronic integration. It uses a single USB Type-C connection for both data communication and power, simplifying cable management, which is often a significant concern in astrophotography rigs. The power draw is minimal, operating on 5 volts at 300 milliamps RMS, meaning it can be powered through most common astronomy power supplies or hubs. There is also a dedicated port for a hand controller, though the controller must be purchased separately and is not included in the standard kit. A locking slot is included in the design, accessible via a standard hex wrench, to manually secure the adapter in place when removing stubborn filters or accessories, adding a practical solution for field use.
Compatibility is a key strength of the ZWO CAA. It connects easily to telescopes in the ZWO FF refractor series, with or without a reducer, using standard M48 threaded adapters. For setups requiring M54 threading—particularly with ZWO’s Duo or ASI2600AIR cameras—an optional M54 adapter can be used to maintain a standard 55mm back focus. This ensures flexibility for different optical configurations while maintaining focus distance integrity. The front connection of the unit uses M54 female threads, and the back connection can be configured using optional adapters to support M54 male, M48 male, or M42 male threads depending on the camera and optical train requirements.
The aperture of the rotator is 48mm, offering minimal vignetting for most APS-C and full-frame sensors. The software support includes full integration with ZWO’s ASIAIR mobile app, ASIStudio desktop suite, and compatibility with ASCOM protocol drivers for use with third-party PC-based acquisition and control platforms. This allows the CAA to be fully controlled and automated as part of a larger imaging workflow, directly within guiding, focusing, and sequencing software.
Installation of the ZWO CAA is a straightforward three-step process. It begins with threading the rotator onto the telescope’s drawtube adapter. If maintaining exact back focus is necessary, an optional 21mm M54 adapter can be added to the optical train. Lastly, the camera is installed using either M54 or M48 threads, depending on the model and configuration. The camera thread can be switched from M54 to M48 using a supplied accessory plate, offering additional flexibility.
The optional CAA-M42 adapter, priced at $29, allows users with M42-threaded optical systems or cameras to incorporate the CAA into their workflow. This enhances its adaptability for users with legacy gear or compact planetary imaging setups. Overall, the ZWO CAA offers precise angular positioning, high load capacity, cross-platform software support, and reliable mechanical performance in a lightweight package, giving astrophotographers greater control over their framing and composition in automated imaging setups.
The ZWO M54-M54-7.5 and M54-M54-10 adapters, each priced at $18, are replacement adapter rings specifically designed for use with the FF65, FF107, and FF130 focal reducers to maintain proper optical spacing.
Address:
1855 S Ingram Mill Rd
STE# 201
Springfield, Mo 65804
Phone: 1-844-277-3386
Fax: 417-429-2935
E-Mail: hello@scopetrader.com