Deep-sky performance difference of 585MC-Air vs. 533MC-Pro?

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Phil Creed avatar

I hear the 533MC-Pro that I already have is the superior DSO camera to the 585, not only in terms of field of view but also in terms of dynamic range.

But really, how much difference is there in the final image given the same integration and instrument?

The 585’s resolution is a bit tempting. My “long” focal instrument is a CS200 Newt which when combined with a 533 gives me 0.96”/pixel with my 1.0X coma corrector (806mm plate solved FL) and 0.85”/pixel with the 909mm FL of the GSO CC. The 585 with the same combo of coma correctors would yield 0.74”/px and 0.66”/px, respectively, equivalent to ~30% boost in resolution.

I ask because ZWO apparently can’t be bothered to make the one camera I REALLY want them to make, a 533 Duo/Air and I don’t really want to spring for a 2600 Duo/Air.

Clear Skies,
Phil

Well written Engaging
Tony Gondola avatar

The “better” FOV is the one that fits your instruments and targets.

Format: Some like the square format better because it means you don’t have to worry about rotation. You can compose to the square or crop to get the composition you want. The 585 is more restrictive because it really forces you to think about and commit to a composition up front.

Pixel size: This comes down to what your target sampling is. For faint extended objects you might want to under sample a bit, of Galaxies and PN are your bag then you might want to over sample. Here in the middle of Oklahoma I usually sample at 0.66” and 0.33” per pixel with good results.

Versatility: Due to pixel size and frame rate the 585 is a much more capable camera for lucky imaging of the moon, Sun and Planets while still being great for DSOs.

QE: 585 - 91%, 533 - 80%

Read noise: 585 - 1.1 at HCG, 533 - 1.5 at HCG

Bit depth: 585 -12, 533 -14

Max Dynamic range in stops: 585 -12.5, 533 -13.8

I can’t finish this overview with mentioning that the 585 has capabilities that are not fully exploited in the ZWO version. The version offered by ToupTek gives you a dew heater, something both the ZWO 585 and 533 lack. The Touptek version also offers a third shooting mode beyond LCG and HCG. Its HDR mode uses both the low gain and high gain amps together improve the output. In this case the dynamic range in stops goes to 14 stops (over 15 stops in the mono version) with a super tiny read noise figure of just 0.6. They claim that it also somehow makes the sensor act as a 16 bit chip. That is subject to debate but that’s the version I have and it does live up to the claims.

Both cameras can give you beautiful results, that’s not really the question. Which one fits your needs best is.

Helpful
andrea tasselli avatar

Tony Gondola · Jun 18, 2026, 05:52 PM

QE: 585 - 91%, 533 - 80%

This smell like BS a country mile off distance. Secondly ZWO doesn’t muck around with switching modes so the comparison is moot. The noise is smaller because the pixels are much smaller too. Effective SNR is what matters.

Tony Gondola avatar

Maybe, all I’m doing is showing the published figures.

Phil Creed avatar

Well, just limiting the discussion to the ZWO versions of the cameras, if I shoot 3 hours at f/4 on the same galaxy with the CS200 Newt is the 533’s image going to look noticeably better than the 585’s, or would the better resolution of the 585 win out?

I have a workable solution for guiding the CS200 but it’s a pain and an OAG might be my next purchase. But if a 585 Air will work without compromising DSO image quality, that’s a workable solution, too.

I’m just trying to do some research to see what my next move should be.

Clear Skies,

Phil

Well written Respectful
andrea tasselli avatar

The question is really what is the best camera given your average integrated seeing. Higher pixel density will do nothing to improve on your SNR. My bet is for equal amount of time you’ll see a much better image (Better SNR) in the 533 at its native resolution. Resolution is fantasy.

Tony Gondola avatar

I don’t agree but Andrea and I rarely do 😉

It’s juggling act between SNR and resolution, always is, always has been. It’s what matters to you the most that counts. With 3 hours of integration at F/4, both cameras will deliver a pleasing image.

Well written Respectful Concise Engaging Supportive
andrea tasselli avatar

Tony Gondola · Jun 18, 2026, 06:52 PM

With 3 hours of integration at F/4, both cameras will deliver a pleasing image.

I very much doubt it unless you’re in better than B4 skies.

Tony Gondola avatar

I don’t know, the approach would be very different between doing it under B1 verses B8. The differences would be more down to technique rather than any differences between the cameras.