There are lots of posts in the official ZWO Facebook group about “banding” effects showing up in EQ mode. Some call this thermal noise, some attribute it to light pollution effects, and some say that dithering is not being used in EQ mode or at least more dithering is needed. Some also say that flat frame calibration is needed (and an old post before EQ where ZWO support even mentioned that flat frames are coming).
It would help to have an official statement from ZWO on what is going on, what users can do to help compensate, and what ZWO is working on to address this. Thanks!