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# Review of the ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro astrophotography camera
- URL: https://macobservatory.com/zwo-asi2600mc-pro-review/
- Published: 2020-02-21T19:03:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-10T04:14:40.000Z
- Author: Andrew Burwell
- Tags: Reviews

![ NGC 2403 ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2403-format-original.webp)

NGC 2403

Fans of ZWO Optical have been waiting patiently all year as new cameras were announced, and they slowly proceeded through the QA/QC and final manufacturing process. It just so happens that the[ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro](https://agenaastro.com/zwo-asi2600mc-p-cmos-color-astronomy-imaging-cooled-camera.html?rfsn=7382607.4cfa63&ref=macobservatory.com)camera released during galaxy season when I have my larger[Celestron EdgeHD 11”](https://agenaastro.com/celestron-edgehd-1100-ota-91050-xlt.html?rfsn=7382607.4cfa63&ref=macobservatory.com)telescope out. So all of my first few images are with this scope and camera combination. Despite that, I’m looking forward to the summer months when I can do some wide field color imaging.

This is one of the first new ZWO cameras based off of a new Sony CMOS chip, the IMX571\. It’s a 16-bit depth color capture camera, where previous cameras in their lineup were 14-bit or 12-bit. This provides for more sensitivity and color range when capturing. The sensor size is APS-C, so not quite full frame. This is about the maximum sized chip you can use with most 2” focusers or 2” reducers. Most of the newer sensors feature fairly small pixel sizes which make them ideal for shorter focal length telescopes, but if you can achieve very good guiding, and have good seeing conditions you can image with this camera on larger telescopes. An additional new feature is the large dew heater on the front window of the camera. This alleviates problems that the ZWO ASI071MC-Pro experienced by cooling so fast the front window would ice over. So far I’ve had no icing issues. Additionally, the front window is an IR/Cut window, so no extra filter is necessary when imaging on scopes that require an IR filter. The full well depth of 50,000e allows for some long single sub image captures if you have very dark skies. Quantum efficiency is around 80%. This is pretty high…it means that of all the light captured it can retain as much as 80% of what falls across the sensor. Older cameras can dip below 50% which is pretty inefficient.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/asi2600-parameters-1024x434-format-original-1.webp)

One potential downside to these new cameras is they are extremely high resolution. Each frame is 6248x4176, and that equates to about 52.2 MB per capture. If you’re like me, and you have to take relatively short exposures as a way to manage light pollution, then you can expect some long processing times as you try to integrate a bunch of 52 MB captures into a final image.

Overall though, I’ve been really enjoying the new camera. It’s very sensitive, and because of the smaller pixel size, noise is very small in the frame, and easier to deal with when post processing as it’s less noticeable. Below are a series of images I’ve taken so far with the camera.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2905-format-original.webp)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/m1-format-original.webp)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2419-format-original.webp)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc3079-format-original.webp)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2403-format-original-1.webp)

The high resolution and small pixel size of the camera is suitable for many refractors from the[Askar FRA400](https://agenaastro.com/askar-72mm-f-5-6-quintuplet-petzval-flat-field-astrograph-fra400.html?rfsn=7382607.4cfa63&ref=macobservatory.com)to the[SkyWatcher Esprit 100](https://agenaastro.com/sky-watcher-esprit-100mm-ed-triplet-apo-refractor-ota-s11410.html?rfsn=7382607.4cfa63&ref=macobservatory.com), or even larger refractors in the 130 size like an[Askar 130PHQ](https://agenaastro.com/askar-130mm-f-7-7-quadruplet-flat-field-astrograph-130phq.html?rfsn=7382607.4cfa63&ref=macobservatory.com). Check below for some recent shots using a wide range of telescopes.

## Some more recent images taken with this camera:

![Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF) - 1/27/2023](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-127.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/hzeo7v/?ref=macobservatory.com)Jan 27, 2023Askar FRA400,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![NGC 678, NGC 697, NGC 691](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-128.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/4su8av/?ref=macobservatory.com)Nov 28, 2022Takahashi Epsilon 200,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Astro-Physics Mach2 GTO

![M33: Triangulum Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-129.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/etcaoj/?ref=macobservatory.com)Nov 25, 2022Takahashi Epsilon 200,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Astro-Physics Mach2 GTO

![M45: Subaru](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-130.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/2a4j0k/?ref=macobservatory.com)Oct 25, 2022Askar FRA400,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![Triangulum Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-131.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/k4np9k/B/?ref=macobservatory.com)Oct 21, 2022Askar FRA400,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![Andromeda Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-132.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/n2vy2t/C/?ref=macobservatory.com)Oct 19, 2022Askar FRA400,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![Gamma Cassiopeiae](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-126.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/ck89fn/?ref=macobservatory.com)Oct 9, 2022Askar FRA400,ZWO Duo-Band Filter,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro

![IC5146: Cocoon wide field ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-133.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/wbnt3x/?ref=macobservatory.com)Sep 27, 2022Askar FRA400,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![IC 342: The Hidden Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-45.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/lwg5g5/?ref=macobservatory.com)Nov 13, 2021Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![NGC 891 & Able 346 Galaxy Cluster](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-46.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/qtm5l9/?ref=macobservatory.com)Nov 11, 2021Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135E

![NGC 2264: The Cone Nebula](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-134.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/y75pcp/C/?ref=macobservatory.com)Apr 12, 2021Rainbow Astro RST-135,William Optics RedCat 51,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro

![M42: The Orion Nebula (with a little Horse Head)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-135.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/klatjd/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 15, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,William Optics RedCat 51,Rainbow Astro RST-135

![IC 2118: The Witch Head Nebula](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-136.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/uslf5x/B/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 15, 2020William Optics RedCat 51,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135

![NGC 7023: Iris Nebula](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-137.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/slqzkz/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 15, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,William Optics RedCat 51,Rainbow Astro RST-135

![Constellation Auriga nebula group](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/constellation-auriga-nebula-group.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/m07iyx/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 15, 2020William Optics RedCat 51,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135

![M31: Andromeda Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/andromeda.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/r5lct1/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 15, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135,William Optics RedCat 51

![M45: The Pleiades](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-138.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/waz84a/?ref=macobservatory.com)Nov 3, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Rainbow Astro RST-135,William Optics RedCat 51

![NGC 7789: Caroline's Rose](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-68.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/cyfeb3/?ref=macobservatory.com)Aug 5, 2020Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,10Micron GM1000 HPS

![M13: Hercules Cluster](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-69.webp)

[Image details](https://www.astrobin.com/lo7cly/?ref=macobservatory.com)Aug 5, 2020Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,10Micron GM1000 HPS

![Sharpless 2-129: Flying Bat Nebula](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-139.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/2g5chb/0/?ref=macobservatory.com)Jun 18, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool,10Micron GM1000 HPS,William Optics RedCat 51

![NGC 3953 & NGC 3917](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-140.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/j8cdel/0/?ref=macobservatory.com)Apr 29, 2020GSO 8" F/8 Ritchey-Chrétien,10Micron GM1000 HPS,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro

![NGC 4244: Silver Needle Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-141.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/u8q2jl/0/?ref=macobservatory.com)Apr 29, 2020GSO 8" F/8 Ritchey-Chrétien,10Micron GM1000 HPS,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro

![NGC 5866: The Spindle Galaxy](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-142.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/yrrpve/B/?ref=macobservatory.com)Apr 29, 2020GSO 8" F/8 Ritchey-Chrétien,ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,10Micron GM1000 HPS

![NGC 2419 - Intergalactic Wanderer](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2419.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/22d7ol/C/?ref=macobservatory.com)Feb 21, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Celestron EdgeHD 11",10Micron GM1000 HPS

![NGC 3079](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-8.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/m2xa0b/0/?ref=macobservatory.com)Feb 21, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Celestron EdgeHD 11",10Micron GM1000 HPS

![NGC 2905](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/ngc-2905.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/a1ozeq/0/?ref=macobservatory.com)Feb 21, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Celestron EdgeHD 11",10Micron GM1000 HPS

![M1: Crab Nebula](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-9.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/zto3qi/B/?ref=macobservatory.com)Feb 21, 2020ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro,Celestron EdgeHD 11",10Micron GM1000 HPS

![NGC 2403](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/3a/8d3ae6c9-185e-49c7-b8a6-36d44545d9f9/content/images/2026/03/image-asset-11.webp)

[Image details](https://astrob.in/pkh2qx/C/?ref=macobservatory.com)Dec 31, 201910Micron GM1000 HPS,ZWO ASI071MC-Pro,Celestron EdgeHD 11",ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro