{"id":25705,"date":"2021-10-14T13:43:57","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T13:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=58495"},"modified":"2021-10-14T13:47:20","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T13:47:20","slug":"astrophotography-cameras-2021-which-are-the-best","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/astrophotography-cameras-2021-which-are-the-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Astrophotography Cameras 2021: which are the best?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Charlotte Daniels\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 14 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Astrophotography is the art of capturing what you see in the night sky to produce beautiful images of the cosmos, showing planets, stars, galaxies<\/a>, nebulae, or even starry nightscapes of the Milky Way stretching up from the horizon. But choosing which astrophotography camera to buy can be the hardest part of the whole process.<\/p>\n

The type of astrophotography<\/a> camera you need depends ultimately on what you want to take photographs of, but of course both your budget and level of experience will come into play.<\/p>\n

\""camera\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Credit: iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The main consideration when selecting what sort of camera you need for astrophotography is whether you wish to pursue wide-field, planetary, or deep-sky imaging. Typically, any device used for night-sky imaging will need to perform long exposures, have remote shutter capability and ISO control (to alter sensitivity to light).<\/p>\n

Here we\u2019re going to run through the most popular cameras for astro imaging, pointing out strengths and considerations, starting with type of camera that many people will have with them most of the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scroll down further for our guide to the best cameras for astrophotography.<\/p>\n

Which camera should you buy for astrophotography?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Smartphones<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The smartphone you carry every day can be used to capture a range of night-sky objects. Credit: iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Many smartphones can perform entry-level astrophotography, while some offer the ability to take long exposures, meaning you can pick up Milky Way <\/a><\/span>details or star trails<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also hold smartphones up to a telescope eyepiece<\/a> to take pictures, or use a smartphone adaptor (more on this below). <\/span>This enables l<\/span>unar and planetary imaging, but it\u2019s difficult to get sharp images.<\/p>\n

\""Andromeda\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Andromeda captured on the Google Pixel 4 smartphone<\/a> using its \u2018Night Sight\u2019 mode. Credit: Paul Money<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Although some smartphones have multiple cameras installed, these are tricky to line up to eyepieces. In a nutshell, smartphones are not dedicated astrophotography products and don\u2019t offer the exposure control of a DSLR camera.<\/p>\n

For more on smartphone astrophotography, read our top tips for photographing the night sky with a smartphone<\/a>, or the best smartphone astrophotography gadgets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best suited for <\/b>Star trails, Milky Way and general wide-field imaging<\/p>\n

Limitations <\/b>Deep-sky photography<\/p>\n

Ideal accessories <\/b>Tripod, telescope adaptor<\/p>\n

DSLRs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""Canon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Canon EOS M100 DSLR camera<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

DSLRs (Digital single-lens reflex cameras) are good all-rounders. Because you can alter the ISO level and manage exposure lengths, these cameras are easily adapted for many astronomy targets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increasing the ISO setting ensures a DSLR can pick up details from deep-sky objects, including nebulae, but if this is coupled with a long exposure time there can be an issue with noise<\/a> (unwanted artefacts) creeping in, which can be because the ISO is too high (the best ISO varies between cameras) or because the exposure time is causing the sensor to warm up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Andromeda Galaxy, captured by Tom Howard\u00a0 with a Nikon D7000 DSLR camera, TS-Optics 65mm quadruplet refractor and Sky-Watcher EQ6 mount.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

DSLRs with \u2018Live View\u2019 or video capability can be used for planetary imaging, although they\u2019re less efficient at cutting through atmospheric distortion than a planetary camera. For more on this, read our guide to astronomical seeing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some astro imagers modify a DSLR by removing the infrared (IR) filter<\/a>, which makes it more sensitive to nebulae<\/a>. A modified DSLR also allows narrowband filters to be used, which improve image details.<\/p>\n

Keep your camera in pristine condition with our guide on how to clean a DSLR camera<\/a>. Get more out of your camera with our DSLR guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best suited for <\/b>Wide-field, lunar and deep-sky imaging<\/p>\n

Limitations <\/b>Exposures lasting over ~5 minutes, planetary imaging<\/p>\n

Ideal accessories <\/b>Tracking mount, intervalometer (remote shutter release cable)<\/p>\n

Planetary cameras and webcams<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Planetary and web cams require a laptop and the latest software. Credit: Steve Marsh<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Planetary imaging requires a telescope and you\u2019ll find that reflectors are most suitable because of their long focal lengths.<\/p>\n

If a planetary camera is also coupled with a 2x Barlow lens<\/a> you\u2019ll be able to achieve the magnification required for planetary detail, while the camera\u2019s high frame rate will allow you to cut through atmospheric turbulence.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll require a laptop to run these cameras and, as you\u2019re viewing an object up close, a solid tracking telescope mount<\/a> is also needed, which allows you to keep the planet central in the field of view.<\/p>\n

\""01\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A mosaic of the Moon captured by Craig Towell from Bristol, UK, using a an Altair Astro GPCAM3 290M mono camera, Fullerscope 8.75\u2033 f\/7.5 Newtonian and Sky-Watcher EQ6 mount.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

When it comes to deep-sky imaging, planetary cameras have small sensors, which means they\u2019re not always suited.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also possible to modify an off-the-shelf webcam for planetary imaging, so that it fits into the eyepiece holder of your telescope (see below for more details).<\/p>\n

Best suited for <\/b>Lunar and planetary imaging<\/p>\n

Limitations <\/b>Deep-sky objects and wide-field imaging<\/span><\/p>\n

Ideal accessories <\/b>Laptop, 2x Barlow lens, processing software (eg RegiStax<\/a>)<\/p>\n

CMOS & CCD cameras<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\""QHYCCD\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
QHYCCD QHY 168C CMOS colour camera. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

CMOS and CCDs are \u2018dedicated astrocams\u2019 designed to be fitted to a telescope. Each comes in \u2018colour\u2019 \u2013 for RGB (Red, Green and Blue) imaging \u2013 or \u2018mono\u2019 variants. Mono cameras require the use of colour or narrowband filters.<\/p>\n

CCD (charge-coupled device) cameras are suited for long-exposure astrophotography (10-plus minutes per frame) because they have \u2018set-point\u2019 cooling systems that keep the sensor temperature constant, which is known as \u2018active\u2019 camera cooling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CMOS sensors perform better with shorter exposures and come as either actively or \u2018passively\u2019 cooled.<\/p>\n

\""Southern\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy captured by Rogerio Alonso, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with a ZWO Optical ASI1600MM CMOS camera, Sky-Watcher 200\/1000mm Newtonian and SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 GT mount.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Laptops are needed to run either device. To maximise CCD exposure times, additional accessories \u2013 including guiding equipment and software \u2013 are often required. Using these cameras can be a steep learning curve, so it\u2019s best to build up to it gradually.<\/p>\n

There are adaptors available that fit these \u2018astro cams\u2019 to DSLR camera lenses, which allows you to use them for wide-field deep-sky imaging.<\/p>\n

For more on CCDs, read our guide to the best CCD cameras for astrophotography<\/a> or our beginner\u2019s guide to CMOS astrophotography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best suited for<\/b>\u00a0Deep-sky imaging<\/p>\n

Limitations <\/b>Milky Way and wide-field imaging<\/p>\n

Accessories<\/b> Laptop, telescope, guide equipment and software<\/p>\n

How to connect a camera to your telescope<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\""telescope\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A smartphone adaptor will let you line up your phones camera with your telescope eyepiece.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

You can go far with astrophotography by using a DSLR and lenses, but for a deep-sky object or planetary photography the addition of a telescope to your setup will widen your options. Your target will appear larger, allowing more detail.<\/p>\n

Smartphones<\/strong> can be fitted to a telescope eyepiece holder via an adaptor: you just need the right one for your model. If you fancy making your own, read our DIY guide to making a smartphone adaptor for your telescope<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To attach a DSLR<\/strong> you will need a T-ring and nosepiece. The T-ring fits to the camera like a lens. For example, if you are using a Canon DSLR, you\u2019ll need a Canon-fit T ring. The nosepiece is either 2-inch or 1.25-inch and you\u2019ll find that most telescopes take either diameter.<\/p>\n

If you are using a webcam<\/strong>, you\u2019ll need to consider modifying it to fit to the scope\u2019s eyepiece holder. This often involves stripping the webcam down to rehouse it in suitable casing. How difficult and effective this is will depend on the model.<\/p>\n

If you are using a 2x or 3x Barlow lens and a reflector, you\u2019ll pop the Barlow into the eyepiece barrel before attaching your webcam.<\/p>\n

Designated planetary cameras, CCD<\/strong> and CMOS<\/strong> devices, come with a nosepiece <\/span>attachment that fits to your scope.<\/p>\n

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\""Research\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Research thoroughly so you know what sort of astrophotography camera is best for what you want to capture. Credit: Misato Nomura \/ EyeEm \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

We\u2019ve reviewed a lot of astro imaging cameras over the years at BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/em>, from value models that provide reliable quality for those on a lower budget, to more high-end cameras for professionals or those who want to take their astrophotography to the next step.<\/p>\n

If you want more information about buying astrophotography cameras, browse all of our camera reviews<\/a>. And for help using your camera to capture images of the night sky or deep-sky targets, we have numerous astrophotography guides<\/a> written by our team of experienced experts.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget to send us your astrophotos<\/a>. We always love to see them, and they could end up appearing in print in a future edition of BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n

19 of the best cameras for astrophotography<\/strong><\/h1>\n
1<\/span>

Canon EOS 1000D DSLR<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\""Canon\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Credit: Digital Camera Magazine \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>
<\/div> 4.0 out of 5 star rating<\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>

Price<\/strong> \u00a3199<\/p>\n

The Canon EOS 1000D is an older model in camera terms, but as such it makes a great entry-level DSLR camera for those starting out in astrophotography. Compare it, for example, with Canon\u2019s EOS Ra astrophotography camera further down this list and you\u2019ll see what we mean.<\/p>\n

For astrophotography the 1000D is perfectly capable of producing excellent astrophotos. It boasts excellent noise handling even at high ISO settings and the controls are very easy to operate in the dark. If you\u2019re starting out in astrophotography and want to take your first steps using a DSLR, you should be able to pick one up cheaply by looking online or buying one second hand.<\/p>\n

If you do opt for the latter, read our guide to buying secondhand astronomy equipment<\/a> for advice on how to do so successfully.<\/p>\n

Read our full Canon EOS 1000D DSLR review<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Where to buy:<\/strong><\/p>\n