What do you get with the new ZWO ASI2600MC/MM
Pro Series?
Astrophotographers quickly adopted the ZWO ASI2600MM/MC Pro series as a favourite, because it uses the Sony IMX571 APS-C back-illuminated sensor with a native 16-bit ADC, zero amp-glow, and an excellent balance of sensitivity, dynamic range, and very low read noise.
ZWO offers the series in both colour (ASI2600MC Pro) and monochrome (ASI2600MM Pro), and both versions capture high-quality deep-sky images.
ZWO recently refined the design by introducing a red matte body finish, regulating fan speed for quieter and more stable cooling, and redesigning the FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and electronics to handle data more efficiently and improve image capture performance. The updated specifications also show an extended full well capacity and lower read noise, giving astrophotographers greater flexibility when balancing exposure length, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise.
ZWO first introduced the ASI2600MC/MM Pro cameras in 2021 with the Sony IMX571 back-illuminated APS-C sensor, and that same proven sensor continues to power the refined design today.
- Native 16-bit ADC sensor
- Updated read noise ~0.7e
- Updated full well depth ~73 ke
- “Zero amp-glow” design
- 2-stage TEC cooling, able to cool ~30–35 °C below ambient
- USB3.0 + buffer memory architecture
- Tilt adjustment plate
- Dynamic range ~14 stops
What changed in the updated ZWO 2600MM/MC Pro series?
The newer version of the ASI2600MC / MM Pro changes are as follows:
| Feature | Old Version / Original | New Version / Updated |
| Frame / data throughput / FPGA / electronics | Standard from original spec | Redesigned FPGA / electronics to accelerate data transfer, improve frame rates and reduce exposure transfer time. |
| Exterior finish & Design | Original glossy or standard finish | Now a matte finish is applied to the body |
| Fan/Vibration control | Fixed fan hardware as in the original design | Improved fan speed regulation/vibration control |
| Read noise / Gain extremes | ~1.0 e at low gain; read noise rising at higher gains | New version with “ultra-low 0.7 e” read noise |
| Full well capacity | ~50 ke | ~75 ke (or 73 ke) “higher full well capacity” under certain gain settings |
| Spec sheet | Original spec sheet did not list negative gain possibilities or those extremes | New spec sheet / marketing material includes those enhanced numbers and gain extremes as official |
Conclusion
- The new version of the ASI2600MC / MM Pro is a refined model, with upgraded electronics, better fan / thermal / vibration control, and a new body red matt finish.
- The gains in read noise and full well are enabled by new firmware, driver, or gain modes (e.g. “Gain 450,” “Gain –25”) rather than a wholly different sensor.
- If you already have an older 2600MC / MM Pro, you may be able to unlock many of the same benefits (especially at extreme gain settings) via firmware / driver updates. But the new version might give you better consistency, lower noise in standard use, and possibly better thermal/fan behaviour and data throughput.
Optics Central sell both the ZWOASI2600MC Pro and ASI2600MM Pro
https://www.opticscentral.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=asi2600