cameracomparison · 2-way
ZWO ASI220MM Mini vs ZWO ASI294MC Air
ZWO
ASI220MM Mini
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO
ASI294MC Air
A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers pairing with a broad range of focal lengths.
Key differences
-24% larger sensor
Larger pixels (9µm vs 4.63µm)
-85% more resolution
Uncooled
Mono vs color
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO ASI220MM Mini | ZWO ASI294MC Air |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | guide-camera | dedicated |
| Sensor | Sony IMX432 | Sony IMX294 |
| Sensor tech | CMOS | CMOS |
| Format | 1.1" | 4/3" |
| Sensor size | 14.1×10.6mm | 19.1×13.0mm |
| Diagonal | 17.6mm | 23.2mm |
| Pixel size | 9.00µm | 4.63µm |
| Resolution | 1608×1104 | 4144×2822 |
| Megapixels | 1.8MP | 11.7MP |
| Color | No | Yes |
| Cooling | ||
| Cooled | No | Yes |
| Performance | ||
| Full well | 90000e⁻ | 66000e⁻ |
| Peak QE | 80% | 75% |
Advantages of ZWO ASI220MM Mini
- Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
- Mono sensor — ideal for narrowband and LRGB
Advantages of ZWO ASI294MC Air
- Larger sensor (23.2mm vs 17.6mm diagonal) — wider field
- Finer sampling at 4.63µm pixels
- Higher resolution (11.7MP vs 1.78MP)
- Regulated cooling for long exposures
- 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 ASI294MC Air
- 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 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 ASI294MC Air — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 4.38° × 2.98°Scale: 3.82"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 1.37° × 0.93°Scale: 1.19"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.55° × 0.37°Scale: 0.48"/px
ZWO ASI220MM Mini — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO ASI294MC Air — recommended user
A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers pairing with a broad range of focal lengths.