Luckily, photography equipment has come a long way in the last few decades. Astro imaging is no longer delegated to scientists and astronomers. There are plenty of capable cameras on the market that can help you take stunning photographs of distant nebulae, the Milky Way galaxy, and planets without breaking a sweat. But we want to show you the best cameras for astrophotography.

In this guide, we’re going to break down the features that you need to look for. We have also done the research and rounded up a collection of some of the best astrophotography cameras that you can get today. Whether you’re an experienced astrophotographer or someone who’s just getting into the game, these cameras can open up a universe of possibilities and take your art to the next level.

Important Features and Settings Cameras Need for Astrophotography

The key to selecting the best camera for this type of photography is to get features that are ideal for low-light situations. The goal is to capture as much light as possible without sacrificing quality and color saturation. With the exception of lenses for astrophotography (which we cover in a seperate article), here are some of the most important features to look for.

Weight: 450g, Size: 1.7' x 3.15' x 3.6'. Designed Solely for Star Tracking, Timelapse and Panorama. It works by adjusting the angle of rotation, Not the speed of rotation. Minimum angle 0.05 degree/step. It works in Move Shoot Move Manner, Then camera is not turning while the picture is being taken. Best Cameras For Astrophotography 2021 – Take The Shots You Always Dreamed Of. If you're looking to take stunning photos of the cosmos, you're going to need something a bit more capable than a simple point-and-shoot camera or smartphone.

Shutter Speed

Your camera’s shutter is responsible for controlling the amount of light that’s coming in. When the camera is not taking photos, the shutter remains closed to protect the sensors and prevent the equipment from taking accidental photos. It’s when you press that shutter button that the action begins.

Usually, a faster shutter is ideal when you’re wanting to pick up some fast-paced action. However, astrophotography is about capturing slow-moving celestial bodies that are several million miles away. Thus, your shutter needs to remain open to take in all that light.

Long-exposure shots are crucial if you want to pick up any detail from your target. Exposure time and shutter speed are directly related. To take long-exposure images, you’ll need a camera with a wide shutter speed range.

ISO

ISO values can get a bit confusing for new photographers. However, we recommend playing with the ISO settings to get a better understanding of what it does. Essentially, the ISO refers to how sensitive the camera sensor is to light.

When you’re trying to photograph deep-sky objects, you’re often pointing your camera towards the dark expanse of space. While those tiny dots of stars may be easy to pick up with your naked eye, that doesn’t mean that your camera’s sensor can. Increasing the ISO value a bit can help overcome that problem. High ISO values increase the sensor’s sensitivity, allowing it to pick up extremely faint light.

Image Sensor Size

Powering every DSLR or mirrorless camera is a sensor. Of course, the quality of sensors you can find in mirrorless and DSLR cameras varies quite a bit. The first thing you should be paying attention to is the size of the sensor. There are two sensor sizes available. These include full-frame and crop, also known as APS-C.

A full-frame camera is equivalent to the size of a standard 35mm film. Generally, they are considered to be the best cameras for astrophotography and night photography. This is because full-frame sensors can capture more light. The sensor is large and has a better ISO range. While it does affect your depth of field, that’s not really important with astrophotography.

A crop sensor is about 2.5 times smaller than those found on a full-frame camera. This allows you to zoom in on objects and have a higher depth of field. But, the lack of surface area to capture light can prove to be a bit problematic with astrophotography.

Sensor Type

When it comes to the types of sensors you should get, there are a few options. Generally speaking, a standard full-frame DSLR should serve you well regardless of the sensor used. As long as you have an adequate ISO range and shutter speed, you’ll have no issues capturing images of the moon and stars.

However, deep-sky imaging can benefit greatly from a CMOS or CCD sensor. Deep-sky astrophotography is a unique subcategory of this art that involves taking photos of very distant star clusters and galaxies. A CCD or CMOS sensor does a fantastic job with long-exposure shots. They’re often regarded as professional sensors. Thus, a CMOS or CCD camera is going to cost a pretty penny. That said, the technology powering these sensors can make a drastic difference in your final image.

Dynamic Range

In photography, dynamic range refers to the tones that a camera can pick up. A high dynamic range can capture all those subtle details like shadows and highlights. Meanwhile, a low dynamic range can result in a somewhat muddy photograph filled with unwanted star trails. Picking up the most information about tone and color saturation is great for astrophotography. Not only will your photos come out clearer, but your raw files will be easier to manipulate in photoshop.

Megapixel Count

Megapixel specifications are often the first thing people look into when they’re shopping for a camera. While several other factors will determine how your photos will look, such as aperture and focal length, the number of megapixels it’s able to pick up is very important, too. This is especially true with cameras for astrophotography.

A higher megapixel count can produce high-resolution pictures. This can determine the size of your pictures and how they will look if they are printed out.

Best Astrophotography Cameras

As promised, here is our list of some of the best cameras for astrophotography on the market. We’ve included a wide range of cameras to fit anyone’s needs and budget. You’ll find entry-level cameras to get started and more advanced models that are ready to be attached to telescopes.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body

Key Specifications:

• Full-frame camera
• 25.2 megapixels
• Dual-pixel CMOS sensor
• ISO range: 100-40000
• Vari-Angle touchscreen
• Wi-Fi connectivity

This Canon camera is a flexible piece of gear that can meet all of your astrophotography needs. It’s a full-frame camera that utilizes a CMOS sensor. These features alone ensure that you’re capturing as much light as possible. Even the components aren’t capable enough for you, the large ISO range has you covered. While the camera has a maximum ISO of 40000 stock, you can easily expand it. Another good perk is that this camera works with a slew of Canon lenses, allowing you to find the best one for photographing the cosmos.

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Sony a7S II ILCE7SM2/B 12.2 MP E-mount Camera

Key Specifications:

• Full-frame camera
• 12.2 megapixels
• Exmor CMOS sensor
• Works with Sony E-Mount lenses
• Standard ISO range: 100-102400
• Built-in image stabilization
• OLED viewfinder

If you’re looking for a camera that works well with astrophotography and beyond, Sony has you covered. This camera is sporting an Exmore CMOS sensor and a massive ISO range. It’s practically built with low-light photography in mind. Yet, the equipment is very adaptable to your needs. It works with the brand’s E-Mount lenses, so you can easily swap out gear to meet all of your photography needs. Some other noteworthy features include a digital viewfinder, image stabilization, and 4K video recording.

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Sony a7R III Mirrorless Camera

Key Specifications:

• Full-frame camera
• 42.2 megapixels
• Exmor R CMOS sensor
• Max ISO of 32000
• Auto-focus tracking
• Bionz X image processor

Another great option from Sony is a7R III. From an astrophotography standpoint, this equipment doesn’t disappoint. It’s capable of capturing an impressive 42.2 megapixels. This results in ultra-high-resolution photographs that are ready for print. Pair that with the CMOS sensor and efficient image processor, and the camera is primed for taking stunning photographs of planets, stars, and more. Like the previous camera, this model is sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system. This can prove to be useful for those long-exposure shots.

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Nikon D7500 DX-Format Digital SLR

Key Specifications:

• APS-C camera
• 20.9 megapixels
• DX-format image sensor
• ISO range: 100-51200
• 51-point autofocus

This DSLR from Nikon is relatively simple from a design standpoint. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t take great photos! It’s capable of capturing 20.9 megapixels. It uses a unique DX-format sensor that’s purpose-built for clarity. The sensor has a great dynamic range and has a respectable ISO range to help you compose your shot perfectly. Whether you’re mounting this camera onto a telescope or using it on a tripod, it’s built to be tough. The body is weather sealed. There’s also a tilting LCD screen to make lining your shot up a cinch.

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Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit

The Canon EOS M50 is another excellent choice for astrophotography buffs. You can’t go wrong with the EOS lineup. However, this one has a couple of added perks that can benefit you on the field.

First, it’s super durable. The exterior is well-built to withstand more than standard DSLRs. Even still, it’s lightweight and easy to carry. More importantly, however, is how the camera supports accessories. It can hold telescope tubes up to 6.6 pounds. That’s pretty impressive considering the size of this thing!

Of course, the photo-taking capabilities are impressive, too. You have a dual-pixel CMOS sensor that can capture 21.4 megapixels. Keep talking and nobody explodes. Not only that, but the electronic viewfinder makes lining your shots up a breeze even if you’re looking through a telescope.

Key Features:

• Dual-pixel CMOS sensor
• 21.4 megapixels
• Electronic viewfinder
• Records up to 4K video resolution
• Grippy exterior
• Tilting screen
• It supports accessories up to 6.6 pounds
• It comes with a flexible tripod

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Canon EOS 7D Mark II Digital SLR Camera

Key Specifications:

• APS-C camera
• 20.2 megapixels
• Dual-pixel CMOS sensor
• ISO range: 100-16000
• 65-point auto-focus

This camera is very similar to the first EOS model on our list. However, it takes some of the camera’s capabilities up a notch. This model uses a dual-pixel CMOS sensor for exceptional low-light performance. It’s also capable of capturing 20.2 megapixels for better image quality. As for ISO values, this camera can go all the way up to 16000 on standard settings. However, the ISO range is also expandable up to 512000. Like all of Canon’s gear, this model is compatible with a slew of wide-angle lenses for astrophotography.

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Nikon D850 FX-Format Digital SLR

Key Specifications:

• Full-frame sensor camera
• 46.8 megapixels
• BSI image sensor
• No low-pass optical filter
• Low ISO base of 64

Nikon has included some great features on this camera that make it a worthy contender for astrophotographers. First, it’s a full-frame camera that uses Nikon’s BSI sensor. This sensor does not have a low-pass optical filter on it. As a result, you can get high-quality photos with low noise. Thanks to the lower ISO base, the camera works quite well for low-light. You can even capture images with impressive clarity and less light pollution.

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Sony Alpha 7C Full-Frame Compact Mirrorless Camera Kit

Looking to dive head-first into the world of astrophotography? While a smartphone is a great place to start, a full-fledged camera is a must if you want to get genuinely breathtaking shots. Luckily, the Sony Alpha 7C is here to save the day!

This camera is perfect for astrophotography. It’s a full-frame camera with a massive CMOS sensor. On top of that, it has high-resolution video capabilities and a ton of features that can improve photo quality. For example, it has in-body image stabilization and real-time target tracking. When placed on a mount, it’ll collect tons of light and help you overcome the natural challenges that astrophotography presents.

Key Features:

• Full-frame mirrorless camera
• 24.2-megapixel sensor
• Up to 4K video resolution
• Adjustable screen
• Straightforward button placement
• Integrated image stabilization
• Real-time autofocus and tracking
• Compatible with many accessories

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Dslr Hot Shoe Laser Pointer Astrophotography Device

Sony Alpha a7II Mirrorless Digital Camera

Key Specifications:

• Full-frame mirrorless camera
• 24.3 megapixels
• ISO range: 100–25600
• Five-axis image stabilization
• Works with Sony E-Mount lenses
• OLED viewfinder

The Alpha a7II camera offers the flexibility you need with astrophotography. From an image quality standpoint, the camera is more than capable of getting high-resolution pictures. The sensor captures 24.3 megapixels and has a wide ISO range to help you out in low-light settings. When you’re taking your photos, you’ll be happy to have the image stabilization system. Even when your camera is on a tripod, the system will prevent slight vibrations from creating blurriness or star trails.

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Dslr Hot Shoe Laser Pointer Astrophotography Camera

Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Camera Body

Key Specifications:

• APS-C camera
• 24.2 megapixels
• Dual-pixel CMOS sensor
• ISO range: 100–128000
• Intelligent Viewfinder
• Wireless connectivity

Dslr Hot Shoe Laser Pointer Astrophotography Machine

Last, but not least, we have this powerful Canon DSLR camera. It’s sporting a powerful dual-pixel CMOS sensor. It can capture high-resolution photos and does a great job in low-light environments. The wide and expandable ISO range provides clarity, even if you’re shooting videos. Even the auto-focus system is built to detect objects without a ton of light. This camera also has a feature-rich shutter system. For still photographs, you can adjust the exposure time to fit your needs. This is particularly useful for cameras shooting astrophotography.

Dslr Hot Shoe Laser Pointer Astrophotography System

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