Astrophotoguru · Compare

cameracomparison · 2-way

ZWO ASI585MC Pro vs ZWO ASI120MC-S

ZWO ASI585MC Pro
ZWO

ASI585MC Pro

A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.

ZWO ASI120MC-S
ZWO

ASI120MC-S

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

Key differences

114% larger sensor
Finer pixels (2.9µm vs 3.75µm)
575% more resolution
Cooled sensor

Specifications

SpecificationZWO ASI585MC ProZWO ASI120MC-S
Sensor
TypeDedicated Cooledguide-camera
SensorSony IMX585AR0130CS
Sensor techCMOSCMOS
Format1/1.2-inch1/3"
Sensor size11.2×6.3mm4.8×3.6mm
Diagonal12.8mm6.0mm
Pixel size2.90µm3.75µm
Resolution3840×21601280×960
Megapixels8.3MP1.2MP
ColorYesYes
Cooling
CooledYesNo
Performance
Full well40000e⁻13000e⁻
Peak QE91%50%
Advantages of ZWO ASI585MC Pro
  • Larger sensor (12.85mm vs 6mm diagonal) — wider field
  • Finer sampling at 2.9µm pixels
  • Higher resolution (8.3MP vs 1.23MP)
  • Regulated cooling for long exposures
Advantages of ZWO ASI120MC-S
  • Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
Best for — ZWO ASI585MC Pro
  • Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
  • Well-sampled deep-sky at medium focal lengths
  • Long-exposure deep-sky under any sky
  • One-shot color — quick results, less processing
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 ASI585MC Pro — typical FOV & scale
  • On 250mm refractor (wide)
    FOV: 2.57° × 1.44°Scale: 2.39"/px
  • On 800mm SCT reducer
    FOV: 0.80° × 0.45°Scale: 0.75"/px
  • On 2000mm SCT native
    FOV: 0.32° × 0.18°Scale: 0.30"/px
ZWO ASI120MC-S — typical FOV & scale
  • On 250mm refractor (wide)
    FOV: 1.10° × 0.83°Scale: 3.09"/px
  • On 800mm SCT reducer
    FOV: 0.34° × 0.26°Scale: 0.97"/px
  • On 2000mm SCT native
    FOV: 0.14° × 0.10°Scale: 0.39"/px
ZWO ASI585MC Pro — recommended user

A strong fit for dedicated deep-sky imagers 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.

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