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ZWO ASI224MC vs 462MC


crama_drime

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Hello, I want to begin with EEVA and need some help choosing a camera.

I have a Skywatcher Evostar 72ED scope and i'm in between choosing the ASI224 or the new (2020) ASI462.

I want to do some DSO and planetary EEVA from a light polluted city (red zone) with a budget, but i'm a bit lost.

Can someone help me out with choosing which one of these two I should buy? The 224 is cheaper, but I can get the 462 for almost the same price so that's also making this difficult...

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Hi, sorry I'm probably not going to be able to help much...

I've not used either of these cameras, but looking at the specs they do seem to be very similar, so I don't think there is much to choose between them. Maybe the newer model will have slightly better electronics, but that is not really a given. Maybe it will just come down to price and availability.

Look forward to seeing your results when you get them.

Callum

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I have the 462MC now after having had the 224MC for a number of years.  I use them for planetary work, high frame rate videos rather than DSO imaging.  I have other cameras dedicated to that.

The 462MC's advantage over the 224MC is its sensitivity in the IR.  This helps enormously for planetary imaging, including lunar.  The 224MC is no slouch but the 462MC is the best in class at the moment for this.

Besides that, in my opinion, the 224MC holds its ground really well despite being a much older design.  The other difference you may consider is the pixel size (smaller in the 462MC) in case you are matching it to a specific optical set up.

Noise overall is very low for these cameras (compared to CCDs) and should almost not be a consideration for DSO imaging and longer exposures.   

Good luck

Roberto

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8 hours ago, callump said:

Hi, sorry I'm probably not going to be able to help much...

I've not used either of these cameras, but looking at the specs they do seem to be very similar, so I don't think there is much to choose between them. Maybe the newer model will have slightly better electronics, but that is not really a given. Maybe it will just come down to price and availability.

Look forward to seeing your results when you get them.

Callum

7 hours ago, rrb24 said:

I have the 462MC now after having had the 224MC for a number of years.  I use them for planetary work, high frame rate videos rather than DSO imaging.  I have other cameras dedicated to that.

The 462MC's advantage over the 224MC is its sensitivity in the IR.  This helps enormously for planetary imaging, including lunar.  The 224MC is no slouch but the 462MC is the best in class at the moment for this.

Besides that, in my opinion, the 224MC holds its ground really well despite being a much older design.  The other difference you may consider is the pixel size (smaller in the 462MC) in case you are matching it to a specific optical set up.

Noise overall is very low for these cameras (compared to CCDs) and should almost not be a consideration for DSO imaging and longer exposures.   

Good luck

Roberto

I think i'll go for the ASI385MC instead. Better resolution than the 224, and still equally sensitive. It also has a bigger sensor. Do you guys think it'll work well with my evostar 72ED, 130mm reflector with 650mm FL or 90mm achro with 910 FL? 

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19 minutes ago, crama_drime said:

I think i'll go for the ASI385MC instead. Better resolution than the 224, and still equally sensitive. It also has a bigger sensor. Do you guys think it'll work well with my evostar 72ED, 130mm reflector with 650mm FL or 90mm achro with 910 FL? 

For planetary I would go with the 462, for EAA or lunar the 385 due to the larger sensor. 

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  • 1 month later...
On 23/12/2020 at 20:53, crama_drime said:

Yes then I think the 385 will be more of a good 'allrounder'. I wanna do some EAA for DSO, where the larger sensor and pixels will help with. Also want to do some planetary

How is the 385 working out for you?

I’ve also been looking at one of these for an Evostar72 and would love someone to tell me how great it is for EAA before pressing the ‘buy’ button...

Edited by GSmith
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  • 1 month later...

The problem with buying any low budget small sensor camera for EAA is you might find it challenging to get objects on screen due to the camera's narrow FOV. Much depends on mount, GoTo and tracking accuracy, but embracing small sensors is the hardest of entry routes and a recipe for frustrations if inexperienced.  

I suffered much frustration as a novice, and eventually I went completely the other way and bought Hyperstar to maximise my FOV, but I am not suggesting anything so radical. However lower focal ratios do assist.  Frankly, I think the best camera for a novice is either an ASI294mc or ASI533. These might be almost double the price of an ASI224mc, but it will reduce the  frustration and offer significantly better results than a low budget planetary camera.. 

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