Best cameras for astrophotography

Sunday July 30, 2023

By Jeff Meyer

Astrophotography, an art and science that seeks to portray the ethereal beauty of the cosmos, presents unique challenges to photographers. Far removed from traditional photography, astrophotography demands us to capture light from celestial objects that are at staggering distances from us and are often very dim. To produce a captivating image of a starry sky, the spiral arms of a distant galaxy, or the mysterious bands of a nebula requires patience, technique, and the right equipment.

The challenges of astrophotography are numerous. To begin with, subjects are usually poorly lit, demanding cameras with the ability to capture light exceptionally well. In addition, the Earth’s rotation means that stars will appear to move across the sky during long exposures, which can result in streaky star trails. These and other considerations mean that the best cameras for astrophotography need to have a unique blend of capabilities.

DSLR cameras have been the workhorses of professional photography for many years, and they can indeed be great for astrophotography. A DSLR with a full-frame sensor can collect a lot of light, crucial for capturing those distant celestial bodies. Also, DSLRs typically have good noise reduction capabilities and excellent dynamic range, both of which are vital in capturing the subtle play of light and shadow in the night sky.

Technically, you can attempt astrophotography with any camera, but the results may not meet expectations. The small sensors in point-and-shoot cameras or smartphones limit their light-gathering capabilities, which can result in grainy, underexposed images. Even among DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, not all are created equal. As we’ve mentioned, the ideal camera for astrophotography should have a large sensor, high ISO capabilities, excellent noise reduction, and a strong dynamic range.

In the following sections, we will explore six cameras that check all these boxes and are well-suited to meet the demands of astrophotography.

Nikon D850 is a full-frame DSLR that is beloved by many professional photographers. It boasts a 45.7-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, delivering stunning detail and excellent low-light performance. Its ISO range of 64-25,600 can be extended up to 102,400, which makes it well-equipped to handle the challenges of astrophotography. The dynamic range of the D850 is also outstanding, allowing for a nuanced capture of the night sky’s varying light.

Read our Nikon D850 review

If you’re after a full-frame mirrorless camera that excels in low-light conditions, look no further than the Sony A7S III. Yes, this is Sony’s A7-series camera aimed at videograph, but this model has a relatively low resolution of 12.1 megapixels, but it’s a deliberate design choice that enables larger pixels on the sensor, increasing its light-gathering ability. Combined with its impressive ISO range of up to 409,600 and stellar noise reduction, it’s an absolute low-light beast, making it an excellent choice for astrophotography.

Read our Sony A7S III Review

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a mirrorless full-frame camera that has a reputation for its low-light prowess. Its 24.2-megapixel sensor might seem modest, but it works excellently in capturing light without creating too much noise. The R6 Mark II also features Canon’s latest image processing engine, DIGIC X, which significantly improves noise handling. Its native ISO range extends up to 102,400, which is expandable to 204,801, making it a powerful tool for astrophotographers.

Read our Canon EOS R6 Review

The Nikon Z7 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers a whopping 45.7 megapixels, just like the D850 but in a more compact form. It features an impressive dynamic range and a native ISO range of up to 25,600, expandable to 102,400, which ensures it performs excellently even under a starry night sky. The Nikon Z7 II also supports the wide range of NIKKOR Z lenses, many of which are highly suitable for astrophotography.

Read our Nikon Z7 II Review

The Sony A7R V is another remarkable full-frame mirrorless option, and with its 61-megapixel sensor, it offers the highest resolution on our list. This camera offers exceptional detail and clarity, with a wide dynamic range and excellent noise reduction. Its ISO range of up to 32,000, expandable to 102,400, ensures that it is more than capable in low-light conditions, and the inclusion of Sony’s Real-Time Tracking and Real-Time Eye AF functions can also be very useful for astrophotography.

Read our Sony A7R V Review

Δ

Δ

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.