cameracomparison · 2-way
ZWO ASI220MM Mini vs ZWO ASI120MC-S
ZWO
ASI220MM Mini
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO
ASI120MC-S
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
Key differences
193% larger sensor
Larger pixels (9µm vs 3.75µm)
45% more resolution
Mono vs color
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO ASI220MM Mini | ZWO ASI120MC-S |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | guide-camera | guide-camera |
| Sensor | Sony IMX432 | AR0130CS |
| Sensor tech | CMOS | CMOS |
| Format | 1.1" | 1/3" |
| Sensor size | 14.1×10.6mm | 4.8×3.6mm |
| Diagonal | 17.6mm | 6.0mm |
| Pixel size | 9.00µm | 3.75µm |
| Resolution | 1608×1104 | 1280×960 |
| Megapixels | 1.8MP | 1.2MP |
| Color | No | Yes |
| Cooling | ||
| Cooled | No | No |
| Performance | ||
| Full well | 90000e⁻ | 13000e⁻ |
| Peak QE | 80% | 50% |
Advantages of ZWO ASI220MM Mini
- Larger sensor (17.6mm vs 6mm diagonal) — wider field
- Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
- Higher resolution (1.78MP vs 1.23MP)
- Mono sensor — ideal for narrowband and LRGB
Advantages of ZWO ASI120MC-S
- Finer sampling at 3.75µm pixels
- One-shot color — simpler workflow
Best for — ZWO ASI220MM Mini
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Fast, low-noise deep-sky at short focal lengths
- Narrowband and LRGB workflows
Best for — ZWO ASI120MC-S
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Well-sampled deep-sky at medium focal lengths
- One-shot color — quick results, less processing
ZWO ASI220MM Mini — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 3.23° × 2.42°Scale: 7.43"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 1.01° × 0.76°Scale: 2.32"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.40° × 0.30°Scale: 0.93"/px
ZWO ASI120MC-S — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 1.10° × 0.83°Scale: 3.09"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 0.34° × 0.26°Scale: 0.97"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.14° × 0.10°Scale: 0.39"/px
ZWO ASI220MM Mini — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO ASI120MC-S — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.