ZWO has just announced the upcoming release of the ASI585MC Air. This new camera isn’t just another sensor upgrade—it’s a full-on rethinking of how astrophotography gear can work together. And honestly? It might be exactly what a lot of people have been waiting for.
All-In-One Solution
Let’s face it—traditional astrophotography setups can be a pain. Between the camera, guide scope, ASIAIR, cables, power bricks, and all the rest, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The ASI585MC Air tries to fix that by combining everything into one neat little package.
You get a Sony IMX585 sensor, a built-in monochrome guide cam, onboard ASIAIR control, and even 256GB of storage. All in one unit. No more spaghetti mess of cables. No more juggling multiple devices in the dark.
Interesting Features
Under the hood, the camera’s got some serious chops. The IMX585 sensor delivers 3840×2160 resolution with 2.9µm pixels, and it’s got a peak quantum efficiency of 91%. That’s pretty great for capturing faint galaxies or nebulae. It also has “Zero Amp Glow,” which means your dark frames will actually be dark—no weird glows to calibrate out.
Cooling? Yep, it’s got that too. A two-stage TEC system can drop the sensor temp by over 35°C below ambient.
And it’s fast—up to 47 frames per second at full res. Perfect for planetary imaging or lucky imaging on the Moon.
Wireless Control
The real magic, though, is the built-in ASIAIR. You can control everything from your phone or tablet over Wi-Fi. Plate solving, focusing, image capture, guiding—it’s all there. No need for a laptop or external ASIAIR box.
This makes the whole setup way more portable. If you like to travel to dark-sky sites, this thing could be a game-changer.
Price
The ASI585MC Air isn’t out yet, but word on the street is it’ll land around $799 USD. That’s a bit more than the ASI585MC Pro (which goes for around $599–$699), but considering you’re getting a guide cam and ASIAIR built in, it’s actually a pretty solid deal.
Compared to the higher-end ASI2600MC Air ($1,999), this is definitely the more budget-friendly option. Sure, the 2600 has a bigger sensor and better dynamic range, but for most folks just getting into the hobby—or looking for a simpler setup—the 585MC Air might be the sweet spot.
Expectations
There aren’t many hands-on reviews yet (since it’s not shipping), but based on the Pro version, expectations are high. People love the IMX585 sensor for its low noise and great sensitivity, even in light-polluted areas.
The excitement isn’t really about the sensor, though—it’s about the integration. The idea of having everything in one device is super appealing, especially for beginners or anyone tired of fiddling with gear.
Final Thoughts
The ASI585MC Air isn’t just a new camera—it’s a new way of thinking about astrophotography. It’s compact, powerful, and easy to use. If ZWO nails the software integration and keeps the price reasonable, this could be one of the most popular astro cams of the year.
It’s not perfect for everyone—hardcore deep-sky imagers might still want a bigger sensor—but for most people, this could be the perfect balance of performance and simplicity.
