cameracomparison · 2-way
ZWO ASI178MC vs Player One Xena-M
ZWO
ASI178MC
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
Player One
Xena-M
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
Key differences
11% larger sensor
Finer pixels (2.4µm vs 3.45µm)
305% more resolution
Color vs mono
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO ASI178MC | Player One Xena-M |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | dedicated | guide-camera |
| Sensor | Sony IMX178 | Sony IMX296 |
| Sensor tech | CMOS | CMOS |
| Format | 1/1.8" | 1/2.9" |
| Sensor size | 7.4×4.9mm | 6.3×4.9mm |
| Diagonal | 8.9mm | 8.0mm |
| Pixel size | 2.40µm | 3.45µm |
| Resolution | 3096×2080 | 1456×1088 |
| Megapixels | 6.4MP | 1.6MP |
| Color | Yes | No |
| Cooling | ||
| Cooled | No | No |
| Performance | ||
| Full well | 15000e⁻ | 10000e⁻ |
| Peak QE | 81% | 72% |
Advantages of ZWO ASI178MC
- Larger sensor (8.9mm vs 8mm diagonal) — wider field
- Finer sampling at 2.4µm pixels
- Higher resolution (6.4MP vs 1.58MP)
- One-shot color — simpler workflow
Advantages of Player One Xena-M
- Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
- Mono sensor — ideal for narrowband and LRGB
Best for — ZWO ASI178MC
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Planetary and lunar high-resolution imaging
- One-shot color — quick results, less processing
Best for — Player One Xena-M
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Well-sampled deep-sky at medium focal lengths
- Narrowband and LRGB workflows
ZWO ASI178MC — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 1.70° × 1.12°Scale: 1.98"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 0.53° × 0.35°Scale: 0.62"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.21° × 0.14°Scale: 0.25"/px
Player One Xena-M — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 1.44° × 1.12°Scale: 2.85"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 0.45° × 0.35°Scale: 0.89"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.18° × 0.14°Scale: 0.36"/px
ZWO ASI178MC — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
Player One Xena-M — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.