Do you think astrophotography is a phenomenon only conceived in the age of the Hubble Space Telescope? Man’s fascination with capturing images from the cosmos likely dates back centuries, but astrophotography itself was born in 1840 when American scientist John William Draper took a detailed photo of the moon using a polished silver surface and mercury vapor (known as a daguerreotype). Fast forward to today and amateur photo buffs with an eye to the sky have the luxury of using cameras specifically designed for astrophotography. We’ve scoured the online universe for astrophotography cameras that are all-stars to us. Here are the models we recommend.
Fast transfers
The cooled color astronomy camera allows you to capture high-resolution images of deep-sky objects. This includes nebulae, supernova remnants, and more when used with the proper equipment. The camera has an advanced CMOS sensor and allows you to snap imagery at a resolution of 20.1-megapixel resolution. The ZWO Camera offers fast USB 3.0 transfers with rates of up to 19 frames per minute (even at maximum resolution).
200 frames per second
This camera is capable of capturing as many as 200 frames per second in the right circumstances. This camera from Celestron uses USB 3.0 technology to transfer data quickly with no external power required. This camera is priced attractively while remaining competitive with costlier astrophotography options.
Full-frame image sensor
The EOS Ra offers magnification up to 30X allowing you to explore star trails and moons that are far away with ease. The full-frame image sensor makes it possible for wide-angle photography. Additionally, this Canon camera features 3.69 megapixels creating impressive detail in the images created. The 3.15 inch LCD touchscreen allows you to compose shots from a variety of angles creating a much easier framing process.
Includes video capture software
While not the best for deep-space imagery, this camera is well suited for lunar and planetary imagery. It is versatile enough to fit any telescope with a 1.25-inch focuser or with an adapter that converts it to 1.25 inches. Users can easily share images from their telescopes with their friends and family thanks to the Orion AmCap video capture software.
