cameracomparison · 2-way
ZWO ASI715MC vs ZWO ASI178MM
ZWO
ASI715MC
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO
ASI178MM
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
Key differences
-27% larger sensor
Finer pixels (1.45µm vs 2.4µm)
32% more resolution
Color vs mono
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO ASI715MC | ZWO ASI178MM |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | dedicated | dedicated |
| Sensor | Sony IMX715 | Sony IMX178 |
| Sensor tech | CMOS | CMOS |
| Format | 1/2.8" | 1/1.8" |
| Sensor size | 5.6×3.2mm | 7.4×4.9mm |
| Diagonal | 6.5mm | 8.9mm |
| Pixel size | 1.45µm | 2.40µm |
| Resolution | 3864×2180 | 3096×2080 |
| Megapixels | 8.4MP | 6.4MP |
| Color | Yes | No |
| Cooling | ||
| Cooled | No | No |
| Performance | ||
| Full well | 7900e⁻ | 15000e⁻ |
| Peak QE | 82% | 81% |
Advantages of ZWO ASI715MC
- Finer sampling at 1.45µm pixels
- Higher resolution (8.42MP vs 6.4MP)
- One-shot color — simpler workflow
Advantages of ZWO ASI178MM
- Larger sensor (8.9mm vs 6.46mm diagonal) — wider field
- Larger pixels — better low-light per-pixel sensitivity
- Mono sensor — ideal for narrowband and LRGB
Best for — ZWO ASI715MC
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Planetary and lunar high-resolution imaging
- One-shot color — quick results, less processing
Best for — ZWO ASI178MM
- Longer focal lengths — tighter framing on small targets
- Planetary and lunar high-resolution imaging
- Narrowband and LRGB workflows
ZWO ASI715MC — typical FOV & scale
- On 250mm refractor (wide)FOV: 1.28° × 0.73°Scale: 1.20"/px
- On 800mm SCT reducerFOV: 0.40° × 0.23°Scale: 0.37"/px
- On 2000mm SCT nativeFOV: 0.16° × 0.09°Scale: 0.15"/px
ZWO ASI178MM — 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 ASI715MC — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.
ZWO ASI178MM — recommended user
A strong fit for photographers stepping into astro pairing with longer focal lengths where framing is tight.