Astrophotoguru · Compare

cameracomparison · 2-way

ZWO ASI385MC vs ZWO ASI220MM Mini

ZWO ASI385MC
ZWO

ASI385MC

A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.

ZWO ASI220MM Mini
ZWO

ASI220MM Mini

A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.

Key differences

-52% larger sensor
Finer pixels (3.75µm vs 9µm)
19% more resolution
Color vs mono

Specifications

SpecificationZWO ASI385MCZWO ASI220MM Mini
Sensor
Typededicatedguide-camera
SensorSony IMX385Sony IMX432
Sensor techCMOSCMOS
Format1/2"1.1"
Sensor size7.3×4.1mm14.1×10.6mm
Diagonal8.4mm17.6mm
Pixel size3.75µm9.00µm
Resolution1936×10961608×1104
Megapixels2.1MP1.8MP
ColorYesNo
Cooling
CooledNoNo
Performance
Full well25000e⁻90000e⁻
Peak QE80%80%
Advantages of ZWO ASI385MC
  • Finer sampling at 3.75µm pixels
  • Higher resolution (2.12MP vs 1.78MP)
  • One-shot color — simpler workflow
Advantages of ZWO ASI220MM Mini
  • Larger sensor (17.6mm vs 8.4mm diagonal) — wider field
  • Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
  • Mono sensor — ideal for narrowband and LRGB
Best for — ZWO ASI385MC
  • Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
  • Well-sampled deep-sky at medium focal lengths
  • One-shot color — quick results, less processing
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
ZWO ASI385MC — typical FOV & scale
  • On 250mm refractor (wide)
    FOV: 1.67° × 0.94°Scale: 3.09"/px
  • On 800mm SCT reducer
    FOV: 0.52° × 0.29°Scale: 0.97"/px
  • On 2000mm SCT native
    FOV: 0.21° × 0.12°Scale: 0.39"/px
ZWO ASI220MM Mini — typical FOV & scale
  • On 250mm refractor (wide)
    FOV: 3.23° × 2.42°Scale: 7.43"/px
  • On 800mm SCT reducer
    FOV: 1.01° × 0.76°Scale: 2.32"/px
  • On 2000mm SCT native
    FOV: 0.40° × 0.30°Scale: 0.93"/px
ZWO ASI385MC — recommended user

A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.

ZWO ASI220MM Mini — recommended user

A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.

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