cameracomparison · 2-way
ZWO ASI178MC vs ZWO ASI071MC Pro
ZWO
ASI178MC
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO
ASI071MC Pro
A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers pairing with a broad range of focal lengths.
Key differences
-69% larger sensor
Finer pixels (2.4µm vs 4.78µm)
-60% more resolution
Uncooled
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO ASI178MC | ZWO ASI071MC Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | dedicated | dedicated |
| Sensor | Sony IMX178 | Sony IMX071 |
| Sensor tech | CMOS | CMOS |
| Format | 1/1.8" | APS-C |
| Sensor size | 7.4×4.9mm | 23.6×15.6mm |
| Diagonal | 8.9mm | 28.4mm |
| Pixel size | 2.40µm | 4.78µm |
| Resolution | 3096×2080 | 4944×3284 |
| Megapixels | 6.4MP | 16.2MP |
| Color | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling | ||
| Cooled | No | Yes |
| Performance | ||
| Full well | 15000e⁻ | 46000e⁻ |
| Peak QE | 81% | 50% |
Advantages of ZWO ASI178MC
- Finer sampling at 2.4µm pixels
Advantages of ZWO ASI071MC Pro
- Larger sensor (28.4mm vs 8.9mm diagonal) — wider field
- Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
- Higher resolution (16.2MP vs 6.4MP)
- Regulated cooling for long exposures
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 — ZWO ASI071MC Pro
- Balanced field for most refractors
- Fast, low-noise deep-sky at short focal lengths
- Long-exposure deep-sky under any sky
- One-shot color — quick results, less processing
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
ZWO ASI071MC Pro — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 5.41° × 3.58°Scale: 3.94"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 1.69° × 1.12°Scale: 1.23"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.68° × 0.45°Scale: 0.49"/px
ZWO ASI178MC — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO ASI071MC Pro — recommended user
A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers pairing with a broad range of focal lengths.