Best cameras for astrophotography in 2024: Shoot for the stars

The best cameras for astrophotography are capable of capturing quality images of the night sky and perform well in low-light conditions. To do this they must be able to handle high ISO noise, have an image sensor with a wide dynamic range and it helps when handholding the camera to have a low exposure value autofocus so the AF doesn't hunt when it's dark out. And they're now even cheaper thanks to Amazon Prime Day.

Editor's note July 16: The Canon EOS R5 which previously lived in this guide is now $1000 cheaper with this Prime Day camera deal.

In rounding up the best astrophotography cameras, we've taken into consideration how well each camera can capture the brightest and darkest areas of a photo (i.e. its dynamic range). We've also noted each model's ISO performance and how good it is at handling noise. How well a camera can autofocus in poorly lit situations is also an important factor to consider. If you are looking for something to use more on a day-to-day basis, consider checking out our guide on the best cameras for photos and videos. 

Thankfully, we've tested a wide variety of cameras so we can pick out the best for astrophotography — from brands large and small and across all price points. Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer or just looking to get started with an entry-level model, you'll find a few options that you can consider, each coming with different pros and cons. 

Below, you'll find our top picks for the best cameras for astrophotography — which includes a summary of each unit alongside key stats and information. You can also find the latest deals and discounts on each model from trusted retailers to help you find the perfect model more quickly. 

Once you've picked out a camera that suits your needs, check out our guide to the best lenses for astrophotography so you can get all the equipment you need to take stunning shots of the night sky. If you want to go that one step further, also make sure to read our guide on best telescopes — so you can pinpoint and capture images of the night sky with more accuracy.

The quick list

Best cameras for astrophotography we recommend in 2024

Best dedicated astro camera

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While the ZWO Optical AI 533 Pro doesn't tick all the day-to-day photography boxes you might want, it certainly delivers on astrophotography. We love the way it can generate images that are clean and noise-free without needing to use any post-processing software, which saves plenty of time. There's no amp glow, too, which means your raw images are much cleaner.

In our ZWO Optical ASI 533 Pro review, we called this camera an affordable and user-friendly option for anyone looking for a dedicated astrophotography camera. In fact, we struggled to find any real negatives. We scored it top marks, giving it five stars out of five.

Having a square 9-megapixel sensor, the ZWO Optical ASI 533 Pro is different to most but don't let that put you off: it's incredibly capable, even with what seems like a low megapixel count. Its images are almost free of noise, and it produces absolutely beautiful colors thanks to its 14-bit ADC. And with other features such as an 80% Quantum Efficiency and a fast frame rate of 20FPS, it's exceptional at capturing light.

The only (slight) criticism we can throw to the ZWO Optical ASI 533 Pro is that it's only able to shoot in color: if you lean towards monochromatic astrophotography cameras, this one isn't for you. But with colors this beautiful, we can't really hold it against it.

Similar to many other specialized astrophotography cameras, the ZWO Optical ASI 533 requires an external power source to operate its cooling system. If you're aiming for long exposure shots, make sure you have this set up beforehand.

• Read our ZWO Optical ASI533MC Pro review

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Best color astro camera

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Another excellent full-color astrophotography camera is the ZWO Optical ASI 183MC Pro. Lightweight and extremely capable, this dedicated astro camera will create beautifully vivid images with minimum noise.

Weighing only 0.9lbs/410g, we were pleasantly surprised with how light the  ZWO Optical ASI 183MC Pro is. It's also compact, measuring just 62mm in diameter. Despite its small and lightweight exterior though, it's a very capable piece of equipment. It has a resolution of 20.48MP, a peak Quantum Efficiency of 84% and its read noise is minimal at just 1.63.

Additionally, it comes equipped with a full-color sensor, eliminating the need for extra RGB filters in your photography, simplifying your setup, and lightening your gear load. It is a serious astrophotography camera, and you'll need to have experience with dedicated astro cameras to get the most out of it. Read our in-depth ZWO ASI183MC review to see what can be achieved.

The ZWO Optical ASI 183 excels at capturing stunning shots at its maximum resolution, boasting a speed of 19 frames per second (FPS), which is perfect for solar or lunar photography. If you choose a lower resolution, the frame rate shoots up significantly, allowing you to capture hundreds of frames per second! This camera provides versatile options for capturing different types of images.

To use the ASI 183, you'll need a laptop with dedicated software, featuring a USB-A 3.0 port for efficient data transfer. Additionally, you'll need a telescope and a 12V power supply to operate the cooling system.

• Read our full ZWO Optical ASI183MC Pro review

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Best mirrorless camera for astro

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Nikon's excellent Z8 camera came to the market in May 2023, and it's nothing short of a pure dream for astrophotographers. Its expanded ISO of 102,400 is incredible, and it also packs in numerous features that make it the ideal camera for capturing perfect shots of the night sky.

We love the autofocus system in this camera. In our Nikon Z8 review we were blown away with how well it performs: it's fast and accurate, and with a dedicated Starlight View, the autofocus detection range drops as low as an incredible -9EV. Even in low-light conditions, it excels at recognizing subjects' eyes without a hitch.

The Nikon Z8 offers a handy night vision mode that's especially beneficial for astrophotography, a feature we wish more popular cameras had. You can tailor how the night vision operates, but essentially, it dims the screen and electronic viewfinder while only displaying red pixels, which helps to preserve your night vision.

If you're into more than just astrophotography, the Nikon Z8 is a top contender as one of the best cameras out there. It performs exceptionally well in various types of photography, and its compatibility with a wide range of lenses adds to its versatility. While it may require a significant investment, we think it's a camera built to last for many years to come.

• Read our full Nikon Z8 review

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Best Sony for astro

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Sony's A7R V has succeeded the Sony A7R IV, but newer doesn't always mean better. The latest version does include some upgrades on its predecessor — which are not specifically geared towards astrophotography — and it also comes at the cost of a massive price bump. For that reason, we would still recommend the Song A7R IV for astrophotography. 

With its three-inch LCD screen, the Sony A7R IV has an impressive resolution of 2.36 million dots. With a megapixel count of 61MP, too, this is among the best we've seen for a mirrorless camera, which is ideal if you're looking to make giant prints of your photos. 

In our Sony A7R IV review, we praised this camera's exceptional performance and image quality all-round. This camera is remarkable because it can capture incredible details in both bright and dim lighting conditions. It excels at capturing both bright and dim lights in a single shot, which is ideal for astrophotography. In fact, we've struggled to find anything that beats it.

Even at a high-sensitivity setting like ISO 6400, the images stay relatively clean with minimal noise. However, if you increase the ISO further, you'll notice a rise in noise, which is expected in such situations. Although, now that some of the best photo editing apps have pretty impressive AI denoise capabilities, it makes this camera even more usable for astrophotography.

The downside to the Sony A7R IV's huge 61-megapixel sensor is that its images take up a lot of file space. Transferring them to your computer will take longer, and if you don't have adequate storage space it could be a problem. We've also found that the large image size occasionally leads to buffer strain if you're using the camera's continuous shooting function. Thankfully, you can alleviate the issue by opting for lossless compressed RAW files in the camera's settings — and ensuring you're using a high quality, fast memory card will help too.

It's also worth noting that the Sony A7R IV doesn't have a fully articulating screen (something that's been rectified with the newer A7R V), but it shouldn't be a dealbreaker: the screen tilts, which is still helpful when shooting the sky and means you don't have to bend down into uncomfortable positions to check your settings.

• Read our full Sony A7R IV review

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Best rugged option

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The Nikon Z6 II, the successor to the already excellent Z6, sits somewhere between entry level and pro-grade cameras. It's a great choice for just about any type of photographer, and it's very capable for day-to-day shooting of images and videos. It's also a great choice for astrophotographers, especially those who like to head out into the wilderness.

Our Nikon Z6 II review praised the durable feel of the body, making it feel great in the hands, and its weather sealing is also impressive — something you don't see on more entry level cameras. You don't have to worry about a slight bit of rain, then, and it's excellent hand grip means you're less likely to drop it.

The Z6 II retains many of the features of its previous version while introducing some minor yet significant enhancements. One notable addition is the second memory card slot, which provides added peace of mind during photo sessions by offering a backup option. Additionally, the camera boasts a faster burst rate, enhanced focus capabilities, quicker image processing and the ability to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.

You have more in-camera control over long exposures thanks to the larger range of shutter speeds. The slowest shutter speed is a whopping 900 seconds (15 minutes!), so pair it with one of the best star trackers and you could get some seriously detailed astro shots. With excellent weather sealing, you could even capture images during heavy rain or dust storms if you wanted to!

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Best entry level Nikon

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Released in October 2024, the Nikon Zf is Nikon's newest mirrorless camera. Sitting just above its entry level range, it's a great quality camera which performs valiantly in low light situations — and comes with a price tag that's not going to break the bank.

What's most impressive about this camera, as we noted in our full Nikon Zf review, is its autofocus. It can focus down to -10EV, even lower than the much more expensive Nikon Z8. It also handles noise very well and is incredibly capable at capturing beautiful images — even considering its 24.5MP sensor. It may sound small in comparison to some cameras, but in almost all situations, it's more than enough. We'd actually consider a benefit for astrophotography as a smaller sensor generally means less noise.

The Zf shares the same high-performance processing engine as the Z8 and Z9, combining style with power and speed. We admired its design, which reminded us of classic film SLR cameras but with all the advanced features of modern mirrorless cameras. It's equipped with numerous dials and controls for easy access to settings, and the fully articulating touchscreen simplifies shooting from difficult angles.

However, it's not flawless, especially for professional photographers who may find it lacking, especially due to its 24.5MP sensor, which doesn't excel in capturing intricate details. Additionally, the grip may feel too small for those with larger hands.

Despite these drawbacks, we believe the Nikon Zf provides great bang for your buck, priced just under $2,000, with potential deals available. If you're considering transitioning to a full-frame camera without overspending, this is a solid choice. Plus, there's a wide selection of lenses to expand your collection, which you can continue using with a more advanced camera in the future.

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Best entry-level Canon

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A small and compact camera that's available at an affordable price, the Canon EOS R8 is a great choice for beginners on a budget. That's not to say that the R8 is a basic camera by any means: Canon has packed in some excellent features here, making this camera an excellent choice for astrophotography regardless of budget or skill.

Being a full-frame camera, it's a great choice if you're looking to move into full-frame photography for the first time without having to spend a fortune on a professional-grade camera. Full-frame means you can take advantage of the entire field of view through the lens, as opposed to a crop sensor camera which uses only a portion of the lens's view. 

It's also one of the lightest Canon cameras available, weighing just 0.91lb/414g. Of course, it's going to be heavier once you have a lens attached but it's still much less weight to bear than many of its counterparts. 

In our Canon EOS R8 review, we found this to be a surprising astrophotography winner, largely thanks to how well it handles high ISO noise. It doesn't, however, have in-body image stabilization — that's one of the reasons the R8 manages to be so affordable. But for astrophotography, most shooters will rely on tripods, so it's a feature you can likely do without.

Saving money by purchasing this camera instead of more expensive models works well when photographers are considering purchasing the best lenses for astrophotography which are generally big, fast lenses like the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM or Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM.

• Read our full Canon EOS R8 review

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Best DSLR overall

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Mirrorless cameras are on the march, but there are still plenty of fantastic DSLRs on the market, and the Nikon D850 is a full-frame camera that's earned its place on this list. Although it's a little old now, this camera is still one of our favorites and goes head-to-head with some of the most premium mirrorless cameras out there thanks to its feature set.

Its EXPEED 5 processor may be five years old but it's still very fast, and the camera's ISO range of up to 102,400 is impressive. As we mentioned in our Nikon D850 review, however, it's the robust weather sealing of the camera body that sets it apart, ideal for shooting in various weather conditions. Built with an aluminum alloy, it's robust but still lightweight — and its backlit buttons are ideal when you're shooting in the dark so you know what buttons you're pressing. 

The D850 boasts 153 autofocus points, and it's able to focus down to -4EV. That's less than Nikon's newer mirrorless camera options like the R8 and Zf but it's still good enough to focus well in low-light conditions, and we've been able to capture beautiful images of the night sky with this DSLR. Making use of a Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor and TTL phase detection makes it operate excellently.

While the continuous burst frame rate might appear slow at 9 frames per second (FPS), it's worth mentioning that each image is a substantial 45.7 megapixels. Additionally, the D850 can create time-lapse videos and shoot in 4K at 30 FPS. When recording videos, it employs "live" zebra stripes to identify potential exposure issues, allowing you to adjust settings in real time instead of correcting exposure problems during post-production.

• Read our full Nikon D850 review

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Best low light mirrorless camera

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Although the Sony A7 III was released in April 2018, and there are certainly better and newer models available, we would still recommend considering this as a great astrophotography camera. That's because it's exceptional in low-light conditions. We should stress that the electronic viewfinder does feel a little dated now, but its exposure-ramped view is a plus, certainly when capturing images of the night sky. 

With a low light autofocus detection of -3EV, it isn't quite as sophisticated as other models but still performs well. As discussed in our Sony A7 III review, we were particularly impressed with the high dynamic range — something Sony is well known for and enables you to recover excellent detail from even the darkest shadows.

This camera effortlessly captures images in low light and excels in handling noise, providing impressive image quality. You can even push it all the way up to an impressive ISO of 204,800 for still photos — although you likely wouldn't ever need to have the ISO that high. Additionally, the camera can record stunning 4K UHD videos at a smooth 30 FPS.

Despite its age, the battery life of the Sony A7 III still has a better than average CIPA rating, and it's capable of shooting up to 710 stills on a single charge. That's an impressive number, and most people won't need to lug around an extra battery (although they are, of course, readily available). Because it's an older model, the Sony A7 III is often available to pick up at a discount, and it's still a great choice for astrophotographers thanks to its exceptional low-light performance.

• Read our full Sony A7 III review

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Best pro-level camera

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We described this camera as being one of the best mirrorless cameras ever built in our full Sony A1 review. Whether you're taking glorious landscape shots in daylight, capturing portraits or heading out after dark to capture breathtaking photos of the night sky, the Sony A1 performs incredibly well. It should, really, considering it's Sony's most expensive full-frame mirrorless camera.

With a 50.1MP sensor and a 9.44 million dot electronic viewfinder, the Sony A1 can shoot in 8K. It boasts full weather sealing — excellent when shooting in less than perfect conditions — and it comes with two memory card slots.

This camera is priced at around $6500, which doesn't include any additional lenses you might need. It's quite expensive, especially for non-professional photographers, particularly those interested in astrophotography. Even if you buy it used, it holds its value well. Despite being a great camera, its high price is why it's ranked slightly lower in this guide.

That said, if you are a professional photographer and have that sort of money to spend on a camera, the Sony A1 is a stellar choice. While it's a great choice for astrophotography, it's one of the best cameras you can buy for almost every type of photography. Its large 50.1MP sensor may seem like overkill for astro shooting — typically, the larger the sensor, the more noise you see in low light — but it's barely an issue here, thanks to how great the A1 handles low lighting conditions.

In our Sony A1 review, we were very impressed with the astro shots it produced using the interval shooting feature. Aside from its astronomical cost, the only complaint we can levy at the A1 is that the screen doesn't fully articulate. For its price point, it's something we'd expect — and it's a very useful feature when shooting the sky. But we don't consider it to be a total deal-breaker, as it's otherwise an outstanding camera.

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Best for timelapse astro

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Canon has a number of excellent DSLR cameras and the Canon EOS 6D Mark II stands out. We would recommend this camera for beginners as it offers great quality at a relatively affordable price, which means it's the perfect companion if you're just starting out in your journey. It won't include the very newest features that you'll find in mirrorless cameras, this full-frame model offers plenty value for money, which makes it a worthy investment.

In timelapse mode, this camera can shoot in 4K and is ideal for capturing detailed time-lapses of the night sky, especially when combined with a star tracker. Our Canon EOS 6D Mark II review identified that it is best to avoid this model if you're shooting fast action in low light; however, this is not an issue for astrophotography. Image composition is easy with a fully articulating touchscreen display; this is advantageous when shooting skyward.

If capturing video is your main focus, however, the 6D Mark II may not be the best choice for you. It captures silky-smooth video at 1080p/60 frames per second, but it doesn't have the capability for 4K video. With lots of other cameras on the market offering 4K video shooting as standard, there are probably better options. 

Our only other complaint is that it doesn't have the best dynamic range: it's markedly more restricted compared to other cameras on this list. That means to get the best results from your images, you'll need to use enough calibration frames and do extra work in post processing. It's an issue that can be overcome, then, but if you'd rather not have to do extra work, we'd recommend opting for a different camera.

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II comes with only one SD card slot, which might be a concern for those who like longer shooting sessions or prefer the security of a backup SD card. However, with an expandable ISO of 102,400 and the capability to capture 26.2MP stills, it ensures clear and crisp results with every shot.

• Read our full Canon EOS 6D Mark II review

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Best for versatility

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The older Fujifilm X-T4 is still an excellent camera, but this incremental upgrade benefits from several features that make it a better camera overall — and it still comes in at a similar price point. In our Fujifilm X-T5 review we praised its functional on-body dials, although we noted they do take a little while to get used to. Once you do adjust, though, you'll undoubtedly appreciate them: They're great to use in low-light conditions compared to traditional menus.

While the X-T4 had a 26.1MP sensor, the Fujifilm X-T5 boasts a large 40.21MP CMOS sensor. Additionally, it operates at twice the processing speed, resulting in higher-quality images. Overall, we think it's a significant upgrade in nearly every aspect.

The X-T5 runs on an NP-W235 battery, offering approximately 600 shots per charge in regular daily use, according to CIPA ratings. By turning on the economy mode, you can extend this to about 740 shots. While the battery life is generally solid, it's worth mentioning that taking long-exposure shots of the night sky might drain the battery faster, meaning you'll need to recharge sooner.

This camera has two SD memory card slots, giving you the option to shoot JPGs and RAW files simultaneously, use one as a backup card, or simply enjoy double the storage capacity.

This camera performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions. It is equipped with a robust processing engine and offers seven stops of in-body image stabilization. Its versatility makes it a top pick for action and sports photography while also standing out as an excellent choice for creating captivating timelapses. You may want to check out our alternative options for this capture style in our best cameras for timelapse videos article. 

• Read our full Fujifilm X-T5 review

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Best value for money

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Canon's first full-frame mirrorless camera was the EOS R, and it is still one of our favorites for astrophotography despite being nearly six years old. 

Why? Well, it's still an outstanding camera. It works exceptionally well in low light situations, which is key to it being a great choice for astro shooting. Its processor has held up well: It's quick and we've never encountered any noticeable buffer lag. If burst shooting for something like action or sports photography is something you're into, that's an important feature. 

Better yet, because the EOS R is a little old now, it can often be picked up cheaply — at least compared to Canon's other full-frame options. You'll get serious value for money here, and while it might not be the best, fully-featured camera for a professional, beginners and enthusiasts will find a lot to like here.

As we mentioned in our Canon EOS R review, though, this isn't a camera built with robustness or sleekness in mind. It's on the bigger side, but it feels fragile—particularly in comparison to something like the Nikon Z6. It also doesn't have the most intuitive button layout, so it'll take some getting used to. Due to its size and build, it might not be the best option if you're planning on traveling with it.

The camera's big vari-angle touchscreen is remarkable. It allows users to set the focus with a simple touch, which is particularly useful for those switching from smartphones or anyone who struggles to get the focus just right.

• Read our full Canon EOS R review

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Best lightweight model

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One thing that Sony cameras have always had going for them is excellent ISO performance. That's just as true for Sony's latest flagship crop-sensor model, the A6700, as any of its cameras. The ISO performance here makes the A6700 an excellent choice for shooting in low-light conditions — and in turn, it makes it a great choice for shooting the night sky.

A variety of features make this camera worthy of a place amongst the best cameras for astrophotography. Key of them all, as we noted in our Sony A6700 review, is its powerful AI-powered autofocus technology. It's the same technology that you'll find in Sony's flagship full-frame camera, and even though the A6700 is a fraction of the price, it operates in exactly the same way.

Granted, you may not use it all the time during astrophotography sessions — but we it brings a lot of value if you plan on using this camera for other kinds of shooting too, such as portraits or wildlife shots.

The previous model, the Sony A6600, which we've also reviewed, is still a powerful camera but there are enough changes on board the A6700 to make this the ideal choice between the two — even given its larger price tag. The only downside between the two is that the A6700 has a slightly reduced battery capacity given its AI autofocus. For enthusiast shooting, though, it should be more than enough (and spare batteries aren't too expensive to pick up should you need one).

The A6700 has a 26MP APS-C sensor, a slight improvement over the previous 24.2MP, and an ISO range of 100-32000 (expandable to 50-102400). Importantly, it now focuses down to -3EV, a step up from the previous -2EV capability. Not the most impressive autofocus detection range we've ever seen, but it's a step in the right direction with every upgrade.

Additionally, the A6700 comes with a fully articulating screen, allowing for flexible camera positioning without any discomfort — great news for astrophotographers. While the A6600 was considered pricey for its features, the A6700, despite having a similar release price, offers better value for money thanks to its improved features.

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Best cameras for astrophotography: Frequently Asked Questions

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How we test the best cameras for astrophotography

To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best cameras to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every camera through a rigorous review to fully test each product. There are many aspects we consider whether it be how well it functions or its design and construction or crucially, how well it performs. 

Every model gets its own hands-on review and goes through testing either from our expert staff or freelance contributors, who are experts in their fields. This way, you get a fair review from a personal experience based on price, class and destined use. For example, comparing a 60MP full-frame mirrorless camera to a sleek little crop-sensor DSLR wouldn't be appropriate, though each camera might be the best-performing product in its own class.

When testing, we consider whether or not it can produce top-quality images and high-resolution videos as well as what technology it features and of course, how easy it is to operate. Where we can, we also like to suggest additional kit that could improve the performance of a given camera.

With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on cameras, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.