The best cameras for astrophotography are designed to perform in low-light conditions, enabling you to capture quality images of the night sky. They must also have greater noise handling abilities and ISO performance than 'standard' cameras.
This guide features a wide range of cameras, from brands large and small and across different price points. Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer or just looking to get started with an entry-level model, you'll find options for your needs and budget.
Below, you'll find our top picks for the best cameras for astrophotography, including 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 ensure you get the best price on your dream camera.
We've considered how well each camera in this guide captures the brightest and darkest areas of a photo (i.e. their dynamic range), as well as their ISO performance and how good they are at handling noise. How well a camera can autofocus in poorly lit situations is also an important factor to consider when choosing a camera for astro.
Once you've picked out a camera that suits your needs, check out our guide to the best lenses for astrophotography to accompany it. If you want to go one step further, read our guide on best telescopes so you can capture images of the night sky with more accuracy. If you're looking for an everyday camera, consider checking out our guide on the best cameras for photos and videos.
Remember, October 8-9 are Amazon Prime Big Deals Days, so you should check out our Prime Day Deals hub to see if you can save on your next camera purchase. We've already seen some pre-Prime Day deals, including the Canon EOS R5, which we think is Canon's best-ever camera, reduced by a whopping $900.
The quick list
Best dedicated astro camera
This is a dedicated scope-mounted astro-camera. It is full-color and has an onboard cooling system to minimize noise for long-exposure astrophotography. You also receive a plethora of accessories for serious astro work such as deep sky imaging.
Best color astro camera
Lighter and smaller than the aforementioned model but by no means inferior. You'll need experience with dedicated astro cameras but with practice, you'll be able to produce some awe-inspiring images, especially of the planets.
Best mirrorless camera for astro
This is simply one of the best cameras on the market. For low-light photography, it has Starlight View which drops the autofocus detection range down to -9EV, the best we've ever seen. There's even a dedicated Night Vision mode that keeps your night vision intact.
Best Sony for astro
This is the highest-resolution full-frame camera that produces incredible-quality images that display incredible detail in both light and dark areas — ideal for astrophotography. You can push the ISO to ISO 6400 before seeing any troublesome noise.
Best rugged option
With excellent weather sealing, you don't have to worry about dust or moisture ingress with this compelling all-round package. The second memory card slot gives peace of mind and you can even leave the shutter open for 15 minutes for those wonderful star trail photos.
Best entry-level Nikon
While the 24.5MP sensor isn't their most impressive, the Nikon Zf can autofocus down to an unheard-of -10EV, which is the lowest of any Nikon camera. If you're looking for a fantastic camera for low light and astrophotography that won't break the bank, this is a great option.
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Best entry-level Canon
This is Canon's lightest mirrorless body, it's slim too so highly portable. It is exceptional at handling high ISO, even over ISO 5000 we were astounded— fantastic at this price point.
Best DSLR
The backlit buttons make shooting in the dark much easier. You can achieve great high-resolution stills that easily rival newer mirrorless models. The autofocus detection range goes as low as -4EV, and you can use the built-in timelapse feature to capture a series of images effortlessly.
Best low-light mirrorless
The RAW files from your astro shoot will retain good detail and contrast up to ISO 12,800. The most impressive thing is the high dynamic range. Pull impressive detail out of the shadows without discoloration. It also boasts outstanding weather sealing.
Best pro-level camera
If you shoot more styles other than astrophotography, particularly sports, action and wildlife, this is one of the best pro-level cameras on the market — it can do everything. It has great weather sealing and boasts impressive low-light performance.
Best for timelapse astro
Astrophotographers will love the 4K timelapse feature, and the vari-angle touchscreen display makes composing your shots easy. You get a lot of camera for the money, so it's perfect for beginners.
Best for versatility
There is a lot of tech packed into this stylish, compact and ergonomic Fujifilm X-T5. Though the dials will take a bit of getting used to, the image stabilization is good in low-light so you can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with better results than a camera without IS. The auto White balance is accurate, and you can capture time-lapses without needing a separate intervalometer.
Best value for money
Because this is relatively old now, it has become an excellent value for money, with low light performance above average, and the happiest when shooting long exposures, perfect for traditional astrophotography. It would be ideal for users who are transitioning from Smartphones.
Best lightweight model
Sony is well known for producing cameras with excellent ISO performance and this is no different. It's robust but lightweight and features a fully articulating touchscreen for easy composition. It features AI-powered autofocus and in-body image stabilization, and you can push the ISO high before seeing too much noise.
Best cameras for astrophotography we recommend in 2024
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Best dedicated astro camera
✅ You're looking for an affordable camera dedicated to astro: The onboard cooling system helps minimize noise during long exposure shots. It's also suitable for short exposure lunar and planetary imaging.
❌ You want to shoot other styles: This is a dedicated astro camera; other models in this guide can shoot other photography styles.
🔎 ZWO Optical ASI533MC Pro: A great option for individuals looking for a dedicated astro-imaging camera at an affordable price. ★★★★★
The ZWO Optical AI 533 Pro is a dedicated astro camera, so while it won't tick all the day-to-day photography boxes, it certainly delivers on astrophotography. The images it generates are clean and noise-free, reducing the need to use any post-processing software. You won't find any amp glow either, which means your raw images are much cleaner than results from other types of cameras.
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 and scored it a full five stars out of five.
With a square 9-megapixel sensor, the ZWO Optical ASI 533 Pro is different to most cameras, but don't let that put you off: It's incredibly capable, even with what seems like a low megapixel count. The images it produces are almost free of noise, complete with 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.
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 to set this up beforehand.
The only (slight) criticism we can think of when it comes to the ZWO Optical ASI 533 Pro is that it's only able to shoot in color: If you want a monochromatic astrophotography cameras, this one isn't for you. But when it produces colors this beautiful, we can't really hold that against it.
- Read our ZWO Optical ASI533MC Pro review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Heavy for its size. |
| Performance | Clean data quality. |
| Functionality | Great pixel size for longer focal length telescopes. |
Best color astro camera
✅ You're looking for an affordable dedicated astro camera: With a huge framerate and an electronic shutter to minimize camera movements, this camera can handle long exposure shots, as well as short exposure lunar and planetary imaging.
❌ You want to shoot other styles: This is a dedicated astro camera, so if you want an all-rounder, you'll find better options in this guide.
🔎 ZWO Optical ASI183MC Pro: Slightly lighter than the model above, this is a great option for individuals looking for a quality, affordable astro camera to take on the go. ★★★★½
The ZWO Optical ASI 183MC Pro is another excellent full-color astrophotography camera. This dedicated astro camera creates beautifully vivid images with minimum noise.
Weighing only 0.9lbs/410g, the ZWO Optical ASI 183MC Pro is more lightweight than the model above, while remaining extremely capable. It's also compact, measuring just 62mm in diameter. Despite its small, portable design, it's a powerful 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. As it's a serious astrophotography camera, you'll need to have experience with dedicated astro cameras to get the most out of it.
In our ZWO ASI183MC review, we found it 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. You'll also need a telescope and a 12V power supply to operate the cooling system.
- Read our full ZWO Optical ASI183MC Pro review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small and lightweight. |
| Performance | 19FPS perfect for solar/lunar photography. |
| Functionality | Requires dedicated software. |
Best mirrorless camera for astro
✅ You can afford to: Simply put, if you have the budget, there's no reason not to buy this camera — it will be a reliable photography and astrophotography companion for years to come.
✅ You're a pro: This camera is aimed at professionals due to its high price tag and capabilities, so it's a great option if you make money from photography.
❌ You want something lightweight and portable: This is a professional camera with huge functionality, so it's larger than less sophisticated models.
🔎 Nikon Z8: We think this is the best camera available on the market. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford it, go for it. ★★★★★
Nikon's excellent Z8 camera came to the market in May 2023, and it's every astrophotographer's dream. Its expanded ISO of 102,400 is incredible, and it packs in numerous features that make it the ideal camera for capturing 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.
The Nikon Z8 offers a handy night vision mode, a feature we wish more cameras had which is particularly convenient for astrophotography. You can tailor the night vision to your needs, but essentially, it dims the screen and electronic viewfinder, 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's a significant investment, it's a camera built to last for many years to come.
- Read our full Nikon Z8 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Outstanding build quality. |
| Performance | Starlight mode enables autofocus detection down to an unheard of -9EV. |
| Functionality | Night vision mode for astrophotographers. |
Best Sony for astro
✅ You shoot astrophotography and other styles: This is a great camera for photographers who shoot a range of styles, including astrophotography.
✅ You're a professional: This is an impressive pro-level camera, so anyone making money from photography will love it.
❌ Your computer or storage system can't handle larger files: The massive 61-megapixel sensor creates huge files that could be too much of a test for your existing file storage or computer processor setup.
❌ You also shoot action or sports: It wouldn't operate fast enough with its current buffer speed when shooting at full resolution.
🔎 Sony A7R IV: This camera is hard to beat; the image quality is fantastic, it's highly customizable and works great in low light. ★★★★½
The Sony 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 aren't specifically geared towards astrophotography, and it also comes with a big price bump. For that reason, we would still recommend the Sony A7R IV for astrophotography over its successor.
With its three-inch LCD screen, the Sony A7R IV has an impressive resolution of 2.36 million dots. Its megapixel count of 61MP is also 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. It can capture incredible details in both bright and dim lighting conditions, excelling 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. Now that some of the best photo editing apps have pretty impressive AI denoise capabilities, you definitely won't struggle to use this camera 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 it could be a problem if you don't have adequate storage space. 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 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 that shouldn't be a dealbreaker: the screen tilts, which means you don't have to bend down into uncomfortable positions to check your settings when you're shooting the sky.
- Read our full Sony A7R IV review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Tilt only screen. |
| Performance | Incredible image quality. |
| Functionality | Massive 61MP sensor means noisy images. |
Best rugged option
✅ You're a Nikon purist: The menus, layout and overall functionality surpass those of Canon's mirrorless cameras in a few areas.
❌ You already own the Nikon Z6: The revision isn't enough to warrant purchasing the Z6 II as an upgrade.
🔎Nikon Z6 II: A great second camera for professionals, or a good option for first-timers jumping into the world of mirrorless cameras. ★★★★
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 camera's body; the excellent grip is very comfortable to hold, and its weather sealing is also impressive — something you don't see on more entry level cameras.
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. Thanks to the weather sealing, you could even capture images during heavy rain or dust storms if you wanted to!
- Read our full Nikon Z6 II review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Durable feel, good weather sealing. |
| Performance | Excellent for stills and video. |
| Functionality | Many small upgrades from predecessor. |
