To capture all the beauty of the starry sky you need a high-quality camera and the best lens for astrophotography. Since this is a pretty uncommon type of photography, there aren’t many reviews available to help you with it. Thus, I made a list of 10 DSLR and mirrorless camera models worthy of your attention if you want to shoot stars or the Milky Way.
10 Best Cameras for Astrophotography
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A specially designed astrophotography camera is quite expensive. Such a purchase is not justified for an amateur since this specific equipment cannot be adapted to other photo genres. Making money with a hobby like astrophotography is also quite unrealistic. But if you want to take these breathtaking night photos with a clear sky and shining stars, I suggest you look through my list of the 10 best astrophotography cameras that are universal and can be used for many purposes.
1. Sony a7R III
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I’m not going to get into all the frills and technical characteristics. I will only specify what the majority of readers would want to know about this mirrorless camera and what I like the most about this particular model. The first and, in my opinion, the most crucial feature is its focus speed. The digital viewfinder with a resolution of almost 4 million dots gives a live picture without lags. The menu is responsive. Battery capacity was significantly increased. The stabilizer’s efficiency is increased compared to the previous generation and it really helps me when working with any optics.
Recommended camera lens:
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3
The Sigma 150–600-millimeter 5–6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary is very light and compact. It ensures top image quality in variable situations. You may use it to take clear and sharp night sky images.
Taken by Sony a7R III 2. Nikon D3400
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This is a decent DSLR that is often called the best cheap camera for astrophotography. It can be used for both astrophotography and simple night photography. I even managed to get some proper Orion nebula shots by means of Lightroom dehaze.
- View more low light cameras that are good for dim and night photos taken without additional lighting and are quite inexpensive.
In fact, this Nikon astrophotography camera can be used for other purposes, like portrait and landscape shooting. The shots come out sharp and clear, obviously even better in dim light. The SnapBridge Bluetooth application proved to be incredibly handy in many situations. The battery lasts several hours when actively shooting.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
This model was developed specifically for DX-format cameras. The 35 mm equivalent focal length is 27–82.5 mm. The most important reason why the lens is worth using is its high resolution even on Nikon full-frame cameras in DX mode.
Taken with Nikon D3400 3. Nikon D5500
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This is a truly reliable camera body, so if you’re searching for an entry level DSLR for astrophotography this is a safe try. It ensures great pictures and sits very comfortably in so-called big hands. The benefit of having a 24MP sensor is widely misjudged, I think. It isn’t in getting a better picture but in being free to crop. The Moon is a fascinating object and it feels great to zoom in to study its surface.
- If you’ve never taken photos in the darkness, follow my basic night photography tips that will become very useful during your first photoshoot at night.
This astrophotography camera is substantial and comfortable to grip despite being so compact and light. It’s been optimized for use by amateurs. The touchscreen allows you to quickly set aperture, ISO, shutter speed, etc.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
This popular lens is very convenient for taking photos while walking thanks to its variable focal length, compactness, and light and portable design. The lens has a silent ultrasonic motor, which is Nikon’s original development, and provides noiseless autofocusing.
Photo by Nikon D5500 4. Sony a7R II
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I specialize in wildlife and landscape genres, but I also mess around with numerous styles like portraits, macro, or long-exposure night shots. This camera’s performance is equally good in all situations and it can be deservedly called the best camera for astrophotography too. The camera is very portable; it focuses fast and takes sharp pictures with resolution exceeding my current needs. It sits snugly in my hands as I switch through the tons of features and settings. Its performance in low light is beyond expectation.
- View more about the highest megapixels cameras that show outstanding results in astrophotography that lately can be printed in high resolution.
If you attach the right lens, you will get really cool results. I mostly stay in M-mode and am delighted with how I can customize everything. When I tried shooting at night using 30 second exposure at different ISO settings one after another, I could see how the camera produced some noise at 50-100 ISO but got completely rid of it by 800 and performed excellently all the way up to 6400, which is great.
Recommended camera lens:
Samyang SY14M-S 14mm f/2.8
Ultra-wide, non-autofocus high-aperture lens with top picture quality, excellent assembly, and affordable price. Many landscape and interior photographers choose this model as a great compromise between price and quality.
Taken with Sony A7R II 5. Canon EOS Rebel T3
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The improved automatic shooting programs can fulfill almost every photographer’s task. I use it pretty often for landscape photography and taking group portraits. With this Canon astrophotography device, I decided to master night shooting using a telescope. Which telescope is best for astrophotography? I decided that it was the Orion 8297 8-Inch f/3.9 that allowed me not only to reach the far stars but also show clear colors and sharpness of photos taken with the Canon EOS Rebel T3i. By the way, I really appreciated its huge tilting screen and the AF system, as well as the general functionality of this astrophotography camera.
Recommended camera lens:
Orion 8297 8-Inch f/3.9
This astrophotography telescope is for people who want to take amazing pictures with their DSLR. It has a motorized mount and amazing photo samples that speak for themselves.
Taken with Canon EOS Rebel T3 6. Nikon D500
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This model is targeted at sports and wildlife photographers. Besides this, it shows great results while shooting portraits. I tried this camera for astrophotography and managed to achieve tack-sharp focusing on a star through the viewfinder. I also appreciated how bright the OVF is and the way it covers the frame. Nikon D500 has a 10 f/s shooting rate and 153 AF points scattered all over the frame, which is an amazing offer for this price.
- View more about how to edit night sky photos in Photoshop if you are going to take high-quality astrophotography.
A tilt-base sensor screen makes this astrophotography DSLR camera a pleasure to use. You can also shoot 4K video clips, and the overall video capabilities are great. Another interesting bonus is the wireless technology based on the SnapBridge app that is a great benefit for reporters. This astrophotography camera can perfectly serve a street photographer, traveler, and blogger. I occasionally use it for wedding photography and am satisfied with the footage.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
Compact, lightweight, high-aperture telezoom G-type lens with vibration reduction (VR). Built-in silent ultrasonic motor (SWM) for instant noiseless autofocus. The effect of using VR is equivalent to using a shutter speed of 3 stops (8 times) shorter.
Taken with Nikon D500 7. Nikon D850
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The Nikon D850 is a full frame camera that is positioned by the manufacturer as a model for professionals and advanced photographers. I have tested this camera every week for several months and can surely name it the best DLSR for astrophotography I have ever had. I used it in different weather conditions: in the pouring rain, in foggy weather, and near the ocean in strong wind, and have no claims concerning its performance. The weather protection deserves special praise as this decent astrophotography DSLR won’t let you down in the most extreme shooting situations.
The color and dynamic range leave only a positive impression, while the original low ISO of 64 ensures awesome results if you specialize in landscape photography. The images you get are clear and sharp. Don’t be afraid to use high ISO values either, as the taken photos won’t disappoint you with clarity and details. You may shoot starry sky and streets at night, still getting very little noise in pictures.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Properly adjusted aperture allows you to “draw” a beautiful radiance from light sources. This lens for astrophotography cameras has no substitutes in the lineup and remains the best tool for professional shooters and photo enthusiasts.
Taken with Nikon D850 8. Canon EOS 7D Mark II
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This device is often called the best camera for astrophotography for its impressive performance in the poorest light. The manufacturer studied the weak points of the previous model and created the Canon EOS 7D Mark II with more reliable features. The most significant upgrade is related to work at long exposures; namely, the camera has a thermal dark current about 10 times lower than the analog devices from rival brands.
Thus, the 7D II camera sets new standards in astrophotography, which matters a lot if you wish to get detailed shots. Another pleasant characteristic is the affordable price for such a powerful model with a truly gorgeous AF. I really like its autofocus, both when looking in the viewfinder and using a display. High burst speed and large buffer are nice, too. The high ISO and 20MP matrix resolution allow you to use this model literally in any shooting situations, from convenient studio conditions to dynamic reportage.
Recommended camera lens:
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
Attach this compact, high-performance super-telephoto lens of the L series to your DSLR and enjoy the shooting process. Rotary zoom ring provides a more accurate composition and excellent balance when you hold the camera in your hands.
Taken with Canon EOS 7D Mark II 9. Pentax K-S2
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With the Pentax K-S2 you will always take the best images, even in terrible weather conditions. The built-in image stabilizer allows you to take high-quality and sharp photos. This device may become a cool astrophotography camera if you attach a suitable lens. The picture quality is very good. The weight of this model allows you to safely carry it with you anywhere without getting tired. Besides, it is very convenient to hold this camera in your hands, thanks to the rubberized grip.
I also like that the K-S2 has a swivel screen. It is awesome! This is a great innovation that allows you to take shots close to the ground’s surface or holding the camera at arm’s length. I can recommend Pentax K-S2 to anyone who is just starting his/her photography career and those who have already gained some experience in this sphere and are looking for a reliable and compact camera.
Recommended camera lens:
Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens (T Mount)
Looking for a small and light lens of an ultra-telephoto type? This is just what you need. Vivitar 500mm f/6.3 Telephoto Mirror Lens will become a great addition to your astrophotography camera. You can also attach it to your camera and take wildlife, nature, landscape, and sports photos.
Taken with Pentax K-S2 10. Nikon D5
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This model wasn’t originally designed as an astrophotography camera, but thanks to its impressive performance at high ISO, you can conveniently use it at night. The D5 has 20.8MP resolution and offers many interesting functions that ensure successful work.
The model is dust- and waterproof. The burst shooting speed and large RAW buffer enable you to capture the necessary moment in any scenario. The battery life makes it possible to shoot all day long without any limit on the number of frames. All these features make Nikon D5 a serious rival even for the best camera for astrophotography.
Recommended camera lens:
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon's legendary super wide-angle zoom turned out to be an optical tool with good sharpness that is stable and very high even at maximum opening. Properly adjusted aperture allows you to draw a beautiful radiance from light sources.
Taken with Nikon D5 List of 10 Best Astrophotography Cameras
| Image | Camera | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sony a7R III
OUR CHOICE |
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Nikon d3400
CHEAP |
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Nikon D5500
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Sony a7R II
BEST MIRRORLESS |
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Canon EOS Rebel T3
FOR BEGINNERS |
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Nikon D500
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Nikon D850
BEST DSLR |
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Canon EOS 7D Mark II
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Pentax K-S2
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Nikon D5
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How to Choose a Camera for Astrophotography?
When choosing astrophotography cameras, pay attention to the following features:
1. Possibility to Use Long Exposures
The light from space objects, aside from the Sun or the Moon, is rather dim. Therefore, in order to capture celestial bodies in photographs, you need to open the shutter of your dynamic range camera as widely as possible and to wait as long as possible until the photosensitive matrix of the device accumulates a certain number of photons. Accordingly, the first requirement for the astrophotography camera is the ability to work at long exposures, preferably 30 seconds or more.
2. Large Physical Dimensions of the Matrix
The best camera for photography of celestial bodies ensures that you’ll get clear pictures without noise. This becomes possible thanks to the large physical dimensions of the camera matrix. The relationship is as follows: the smaller the pixel size, the faster it will heat up during framing, resulting in digital noise. In addition, the larger the physical dimensions of the matrix are, the more sensitive it is and the more light it can capture, which is a very important factor when considering the shooting of rather dim distant objects.
Therefore, when choosing, it is necessary not only to wonder “How many megapixels do you need for astrophotography?” but also ask about the size of the matrix. If one of the two cameras you have selected has the same number of megapixels as the first device, and but the matrix diagonal is larger, then opt for the second variant. As for me, cameras starting from 20MP are the best choice.
3. Manual Settings
What is the best camera for taking pictures of the night sky? That which gives you the opportunity to fully control the setting process of the camera. Be attentive and choose those astrophotography cameras that give you a chance to manually adjust the exposure. In addition, they must support manual focusing, since autofocus is suitable only for shooting bright and contrasting celestial bodies like the Moon or the Sun. The camera should allow you to shoot in manual mode where it is possible to set the sensitivity, exposure, and aperture values to your taste. Otherwise, you'll have to spend many hours improving your photos using astrophotography software.
4. Shooting in RAW Format
When shopping for a camera for landscape photography and astrophotography, you need the one with RAW shooting capabilities to save more details. Thus, you will have more freedom and better opportunities to process the images on your computer.
5. Possibility to Use Interchangeable Lenses
Many photographers believe that the best cameras for wildlife photography and shooting of distant celestial bodies are DSLRs, as such a device allows the use of interchangeable lenses. The conditions you are working in will greatly influence the choice of suitable lenses. Keep this in mind while selecting the best camera for astrophotography.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
