ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo: Dual-Sensor Cooled Astrophotography Camera

The ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo sets a new standard for astrophotography with its dual-sensor design, combining a powerful primary imaging sensor with an integrated auto-guider. This revolutionary setup eliminates the need for separate guiding equipment, offering an all-in-one solution for deep-sky and planetary imaging. Featuring advanced cooling, exceptional sensitivity, and amp glow-free performance, this camera is perfect for capturing stunning astronomical images.

ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Key Features

• Dual-Sensor Design: Combines imaging and guiding sensors in one compact unit.
• Primary Sensor: Sony IMX571 APS-C colour CMOS sensor with 26 MP resolution (6248 x 4176).
• Guide Sensor: SC2210 sensor with high sensitivity and low read noise (as low as 0.6 e-).
• Cooling System: Two-stage TEC cooling reduces sensor temperature by up to 35°C below ambient.
• Dynamic Range: 16-bit ADC with 14 stops for incredible image detail.
• Anti-Dew Heater: Polyimide heater prevents condensation on the protective window.
• Connectivity: USB 3.0 interface with 512 MB DDR3 memory for stable data transfer.
• Amp Glow-Free: Zero-amp glow circuitry ensures cleaner long exposures.

ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Primary Imaging Sensor

The camera's primary sensor, the Sony IMX571, is an APS-C colour CMOS sensor with a resolution of 26 MP. With a pixel size of 3.76 µm and a full well capacity of 73,000 e-, this sensor captures exquisite detail with low noise. The HCG mode further enhances image quality by reducing noise while maintaining a wide dynamic range of 14 stops. Its amp glow-free design ensures pristine imaging during long exposures, making it ideal for deep-sky photography.

ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Integrated Guide Sensor

The secondary SC2210 guide sensor delivers precise autoguiding capabilities with an impressive quantum efficiency of 92%. Its high sensitivity and ultra-low read noise (0.6 e-) enable accurate tracking of faint stars, ensuring pinpoint accuracy during long imaging sessions.

Advanced Cooling and Anti-Dew System

Equipped with a two-stage TEC cooling system, the ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo minimizes thermal noise by cooling the sensor to 35°C below ambient. The built-in anti-dew heater prevents condensation on the sensor window, ensuring uninterrupted imaging even in humid conditions.

ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Specifications

What’s Included

• 

  The guide sensor is a type 1/1.8 SC2210 with excellent NIR sensitivity. The sensor size is 7.68mm x 4.32mm. It has 4umx4um pixels with an array of 1920x1080 and a full depth of 8780e.

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo

  The stars in the corner of the guide images affected by reducers back focus distance might not be very round. It is not due to the sensor tilt and will not affect normal use.

  

  

  Two-in-one design

  Thanks to the compact design, the ASI2600MC Duo only needs one USB cable for control. It reduces potential cabling issues and improves setup speeds. You don't need a separate OAG and guide camera. 

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Tilt Adjustment from the Rear (Optional)

  The 3 points from the rear make tilt adjustment much easier without the trouble of removing the tilt plate from the camera. 

  

  Performance improvement comparison

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Guide Sensor 

  The SC2210 sensor taken from the ASI220MM Mini camera features very high sensitivity. The QE peak value reaches 92% at 500nm. The readout noise is as low as 0.6e. As the new generation of guide sensor, it has achieved great results in guiding, proved by hundreds of astrophotographers. 

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Main Sensor 

  The main sensor IMX571 features an APS-C format and 26MP total pixels. The size is 23.5mm in width x 15.7mm in height, and the diagonal is 28.3mm. The 3.76um x 3.76um small pixel size accommodates an impressive full depth of 50ke. With the new hardware technology, it is even extended to 80ke. 

  

  STARVIS technology

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo is based on Sony STARVIS technology. Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves the sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality. 

  

  Camera Performance

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Native 16bit ADC

  This 16bit ADC is not a CCD 16bit ADC. It can really achieve a dynamic range output of 14stops, which will significantly improve the image sharpness and contrast, and also create smoother and more natural colour transitions.

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo FPS

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo's max FPS in RAW 8 mode at full resolution is 15FPS, which is even quicker compared to ASI2600MC Pro. 

  Extended full well mode 

  The full well capacity of ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo is extended to 80ke, which is 1.6x larger than ASI2600MC Pro.

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo USB 3.0 & 512MB DDR3 buffer

  With the match of USB 3.0 and 512MB DDR3 buffer, ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo provides stable and secure data transmission that can effectively avoid the frame-dropping issue during long exposures. 

  

  No Amp Glow

  Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source during operation quite often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images. It is the tell-tale signs of amp glow. As the ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo uses zero amp glow circuitry, you won't have to worry about amp glow even when using high gain, long exposure imaging.

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo QE (Quantum efficiency)

  Based on our testing results, the QE peak value of ASI2600MC Duo is over 91%.

  

  2-stage TEC cooling

  Thanks to the two stage TEC cooling, ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo can lower the CMOS sensor temperature to more than 35 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature, which can greatly reduce dark current generation and sensor noise even during extended exposure times.

  *The Delta T 35℃ is tested at 30℃ ambient temperature. It might get down when the cooling system is working for a long time. Also, as the ambient temperature falls, the Delta T would also decrease. 

  

  ZWO ASI 2600MC Duo Dark current noise

  

  Anti-Dew Heater

  There is a polyimide heater completely fitting the protective window in the ASI2600MM Duo camera. It can help avoid any potential annoying dew or icing issues depending on the environment in which you capture images.
  The power of the heater is around 5W. You are free to turn it off anytime in your photography software if you want to save power.

  

  Adjustable fan speed

  The default fan speed of the camera is 70%. You can adjust it based on the cooling temperature to save power. 

  

  Connection to External Devices

  

  Connection to Nikon/Canon Lens

  

  Structural Dimension Diagram

  

  What's in the Box?