Best cameras for astrophotography – reach for the stars

The sky is no limit with the best cameras for astrophotography and night photography. Tim Coleman and the AP team pick some of their favourites.

Finding the best camera for astrophotography can be complex, as night-sky photography is a tricky discipline. It can entail standing around in cold fields late into the night, not to mention precise exposure calculation and a fair amount of post-capture editing. You’ll want to know which are the best lenses for astrophotography, too. There’s more to it than pointing and shooting, that’s for sure.

However, the rewards can be spectacular for those with patience. Using a camera to document the splendour of the night sky is incredibly rewarding, not to mention addictive. In this guide, we’ll help you find the camera with which to aim for the stars.

We have an essential guide to astrophotography and night photography which covers technique and approach – here, we focus on cameras. First up, let’s look at the key factors when choosing one for astrophotography.

How to choose the best camera for astrophotography

Ideally, your camera in hand will be weather-sealed, easy to navigate in the dark and even operate with gloved hands. Some high-end cameras feature illuminated buttons that can prove useful, but more importantly, you’ll need a way to obtain sharp focusing.

Autofocus is less helpful for astrophotography, and most well-practiced astrophotographers use manual focus with live view magnification to be sure, edging a fraction closer to infinity to get those white blobs in the sky as small (sharp) as possible. However, some cameras make this easier for you; have a look at cameras with Starry Sky AF.

You’ll want to attach a fast aperture, wide-angle lens to the camera in order to maximise image brightness and capture the night sky in its glory. Also, shoot at a relatively high ISO and, ideally, in RAW format. A full-frame camera will, in general, perform better in low light than APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras; plus there are more full-frame, wide-angle lenses to choose from than APS-C ones.

Otherwise, there’s a balance to strike between high-resolution for large-scale pictures and lower resolution for superior low-light image quality – a general rule of thumb for cameras of a similar age. A resolution in the region of 20-30MP is extremely popular.

DSLRs remain the most popular camera type for astrophotography, though mirrorless cameras do have a few advantageous features, which we cover in detail below. Accordingly, we’ve put together the best cameras from the big brands for astrophotography, including budget second-hand options and some with dedicated astrophotography features that you may have never heard of before.

Still trying to decide between DSLR and mirrorless? Have a look at our guide to DSLR vs Mirrorless.

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If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list of our picks of the best astrophotography cameras, as well as links for where to get a great price on each one:

• Best Pentax camera for astrophotography: Pentax K-1 II – buy now
• Best Olympus camera for astrophotography: OM System OM-3 Astro – buy now
• Best Canon camera for astrophotography: Canon EOS R6 III – buy now
• Best Nikon camera for astrophotography: Nikon D780 – buy now
• Best Fujifilm camera for astrophotography: Fujifilm X-T5 – buy now
• Best Sony camera for astrophotography: Sony A7 V – buy now
• Best Panasonic camera for astrophotography: Panasonic Lumix S1II – buy now
• Best camera under $1000 / £1000 for astrophotography: Pentax K-70 – buy now
• Best camera under $500 / £500 for astrophotography: Canon EOS 6D – buy now
• Best dedicated camera for astrophotography: Nikon D810A – buy now

Read on to find out more about each camera in our full list…

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Our picks of the best cameras for astrophotography:

Best Pentax camera for astrophotography: Pentax K-1 II

Sensor	36.4MP full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 100-819,200
Shake reduction	5-axis shake-reduction
GPS	GPS with Astrotracer
Buttons	Illuminated buttons
Price	$1,797 / £1,899

Everything about the Pentax K1-II is perfectly suited to low-light workings. It’s a rugged, weather-resistant DSLR with a vari-angle screen and illuminated buttons. It’s also a high-resolution 36.4MP full-frame stills-shooter boasting excellent dynamic range and low-light performance. But there’s more to the K-1 II that makes it a top choice for astrophotography.

Pentax ingeniously paired sensor-based shake reduction and GPS to create a feature it calls Astrotracer. Astrotracer utilises GPS data to match the position of the stars in the sky and shift the camera sensor to counter for the Earth’s rotation accordingly, and therefore keep those stars nice and sharp rather than trailing. Simply put, no other camera feature designed for astrophotography can maximise image brightness and clarity better than Astrotracer.

The K1-II represented a modest update from the original Pentax K-1, which will also give you everything you need for astrophotography, including Astrotracer, for half the price. If there’s one common point of weakness, it’s the limited choice of wide-angle lenses.

For more options have a look at the best Pentax DSLRs.

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Best Olympus camera for astrophotography: OM System OM-3

Sensor	20MP Four Thirds stacked BSI Live MOS sensor
Touchscreen	3in, 1.62m-dot fully articulated screen; 2.36m-dot, 0.68x OLED EVF
ISO	ISO 200-25,600 (standard)
Price	£1699 body-only / £1999 with 12-45mm F4 lens

The mid-range OM System OM-3 offers photographers the best low-light image quality capability of any Micro Four Thirds camera, and some clever features that aid astrophotography to boot. Most astrophotographers go slow and steady with manual focus and tripods, but the latest and greatest tech in the OM System OM-3 Astro camera makes other methods possible, including Starry Sky AF.

Having made its debut in the E-M1 III, Starry Sky AF uses an algorithm to scan the scene for small points of light (the stars) to acquire focus. It’s night sky focusing made easy, and crucially, we’ve found the mode entirely reliable in both speed and accuracy.

Otherwise, you have all you need for night-time adventures; an IP53-rated weather-proofed body, fully articulated touchscreen and the best image stabilisation around. And let’s not forget how much smaller and lighter the Micro Four Thirds system is compared to full-frame – those excellent wide-angle lenses come in at a fraction of the heft. Pixel peep and low-light image quality won’t quite compare with full-frame cameras, though.

If you’re looking for more specific astrophotography features, make sure to check out the new OM System OM-3 Astro, based on the OM-3 but featuring an enhanced infrared cut filter for capturing deep-sky objects.

The OM System OM-5 also includes Starry Sky AF, and IP53 weather-sealing, so it’s another more-affordable option well worth looking at.

Read our OM System Olympus OM-3 review

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Best Canon camera for astrophotography: Canon EOS R6 Mark III

Sensor	32.5MP full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 100-64,000 (standard)
Touchscreen	3in, 1.62m-dot articulated screen, 3.69m-dot, 0.76x OLED viewfinder.
Price	$2799 / £2799.99 body-only

The Mark III has been pitched as full-frame mirrorless camera that’s designed for serious enthusiast photographers. What stands out feature-wise is its larger sensor than that of its predecessor, the Mark II, which sported a 24MP sensor. However, in our review we found that there is no significant penalty for the increased resolution in terms of high-ISO performance, with very little drop in quality.

Battery life on the EOS R6 Mark III is decent, which is rated 390 frames using EVF, and 620 with the LCD. This is a valuable thing, given that at least in the UK, spare LP-E6Ps are obscenely expensive, costing about £110 apiece (they’re quite a lot cheaper in the US, at $80). Some astrophotographers may have liked a top LCD screen to better keep an eye on battery levels, but that’s a small thing really.

Lastly, Canon now has more than 45 full-frame lenses in its RF lineup, covering 10mm to 1200mm. We’d like to see Canon open the mount up to third-party manufacturers, but they’re still being draconian about this for now. Ah well.

Read our Canon EOS R6 Mark III review.

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Best Nikon camera for astrophotography: Nikon D780

Sensor	24.5MP full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 100-51,200
Screen	2.36m-dot tilt screen
Autofocus sensitivity	-7EV
Price	$2,145 / £1,299

Replacing the D750, the Nikon D780 boasts an excellent low light performance thanks to its 24MP full-frame sensor and ISO 100-51,200 sensitivity. As Nikon’s most ‘modern’ DSLR, the D780 offers clear live view on its large 3.2in tilt screen with a 23x manual focus magnification, in-camera 4K time lapse, shutter speeds up to 900 seconds and a robust interval shooting experience and exposure smoothing, ideal for creating star trails.

You also get DSLR sturdiness with weather-sealed body, excellent battery life and an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage. It’s a shame that illuminated buttons are missing since you get them on the D850, but otherwise, this is a highly capable astrophotography camera benefitting from the extensive choice of Nikon F-mount lenses.

The D780 will provide high-quality results, especially for those who don’t want to switch to mirrorless and still swear by having an optical viewfinder.

With the same sensor and many common strengths, the original mirrorless Nikon Z6 is a solid alternative for a much lower price.

Read our Nikon D780 review

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Best Fujifilm camera for astrophotography: Fujifilm X-T5

Sensor	40MP APS-C sensor
Screen	1.84m-dot 3-way tilting screen, 3.69m-dot OLED EVF with 0.8x magnification
Stabilisation	7EV
Price	$2,000 / £1,700

A gorgeous mirrorless camera designed for stills photographers first, the Fujifilm X-T5 offers a lot to the astrophotographer. Its on-body controls are intuitive to use, its beefy 7-stop stabilisation system impresses, and it delivers pretty impressive battery life of up to 740 shots per charge (you can of course expect this to drop a bit if you’re repeatedly shooting extra-long exposures). Image quality from the X-T5 is dazzling thanks to its 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, which is the same model as on the more expensive Fujifilm X-H2.

Choosing a Fujifilm X body as your astrophotography camera also has a distinct advantage, namely the X-mount lens range. This is not the most expansive selection of lenses on the block, but it is absolutely stuffed with super-sharp large-aperture zooms and primes that are absolutely perfect for astro work. We recommend the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR as a good starting point.

To read more about the finest lenses you can buy for the X-T5, check out our recently updated Best Fujifilm X-mount lenses in 2026 article.

If the X-T5 is too pricey for you, it could be worth hunting down its predecessor, the X-T4, which also has delightful on-body controls and a high-quality APS-C sensor. Its resolution and stabilisation lag behind the X-T5’s, but otherwise it’s a highly compelling alternative that could potentially be picked up at a significant discount on the used market.

Read our Fujifilm X-T5 review.

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Best Sony camera for astrophotography: Sony A7 V

Sensor	33MP partially stacked full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 100-51,200 (standard); ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
Screen	3.2in, 2.1m-dot, 4-axis multi-angle articulated touchscreen LCD
Price	$2,899 / £2,799 body-only

Sony’s all-rounder series, the original A7 is now in its fifth iteration and the A7 V represents a solid option for astrophotography. The 33MP full-frame sensor strikes an optimum resolution balance for large and clean night images, with an excellent dynamic range and shadow detail recovery – a key concern for dark sky snappers.

Handling wise, all boxes are ticked; there’s the 3.2in vari-angle screen, weather-resistance and image stabilisation. And despite its small stature, making your way around the camera in the dark is done easily enough thanks to the large controls.

If you’re priced out of the A7 V, the A7 III can be had for about 60% of the cost and is a decent alternative because its low light image quality is equally impressive.

Read our review of the Sony Alpha A7 V

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Best Panasonic camera for astrophotography: Panasonic Lumix S1II

Sensor	24MP partially stacked sensor
ISO	100–51,200 (standard)
Screen	3-inch, fold-out (articulating) touchscreen LCD
Price	£2899 body-only

If you’re a professional astrophotographer and have no ties to other camera brands, then the Panasonic Lumix S1II, introduced as an entry in Panasonic’s professionally-oriented S1 range along with the Panasonic Lumix S1IIE, is worth considering. For still images, the S1II and S1IIE became Panasonic’s first models to support HEIF format as a higher-quality alternative to JPEG.

Astrophotographers can probably save themselves some cash by sticking with the original Lumix S5, whose big sensor and ISO range are more or less the same. There’s also the Lumix S5 IIX, which adds some serious video functionality to an already highly capable hybrid photography camera. All in all, while it’s definetely not the cheapest, it’s an amazing camera that unequivocally offers an excellent value for money.

Read more about the Panasonic Lumix S1II

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Best camera under $1000 / £1000 for astrophotography: Pentax K-70

Sensor	24MP APS-C sensor
ISO	ISO 100-102,400
Shake reduction	Up to 4.5EV

In terms of bang for buck, the Pentax K-70 is undisputed for astrophotographers. It packs many pro-feeling features despite being positioned as an enthusiast camera with a modest body-only price. Headline features include a 24MP APS-C sensor with ludicrous ISO 100-102,400 sensitivity, weather-resistant body operable down to -10°C (unusual for this level of camera), optical viewfinder with 100% coverage (again, unusual), vari-angle screen, shake reduction up to 4.5EV and access to features like Astrotracer via an optional GPS unit.

There are also the little things to be found here that experienced astrophotographers will appreciate, like the comfortable grip and well-spaced controls that are easy to operate even for gloved hands. This is a camera tailor-made for the outdoors and photographing the night skies. There’s even a “night mode” LCD setting to make it easier to use in low-light.

Read our Pentax K-70 review

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Best camera under $500 /£500 for astrophotography: Canon EOS 6D

Sensor	20.2MP full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 100-25,600
Autofocus	AF sensitivity -3EV
Price	Used price approx. $400 (renewed) / £400 (excellent condition)

If you look into the camera of choice for Astronomy Photographer of the Year entrants, one model pops up year after year: the Canon EOS 6D. Released in 2012, it proves you don’t need the latest and greatest kit to create award-winning astrophotography pictures. What makes the EOS 6D so popular? Perhaps it’s the 20MP full-frame sensor and ISO 100-25,600 sensitivity that performs really well in low-light. Or maybe it’s the excellent choice of EF-mount wide-angle, fast aperture lenses.

Now superseded by the Canon EOS 6D II that boasts a higher 26MP resolution and modern conveniences such as a vari-angle screen, image stabilisation and 4K timelapse, you can get a second-hand EOS 6D for anything between £250-£450 depending on the condition. An absolute bargain.

Read our Canon EOS 6D Review

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Best dedicated camera for astrophotography: Nikon D810A

Sensor	36.3MP full-frame sensor
ISO	ISO 200-12,800
Price	approx. $1,250 / £510 (re-conditioned)
Wavelength sensitivity	Sensitive to 656nm wavelength

The Nikon D810a is a modified version of the 36.3MP full-frame D810, made specifically with astrophotography in mind. The ‘a’ denotes astrophotography and tells us that the filter in front of the sensor allows H-alpha emissions, also known as an infrared cut filter. What you get is a camera 4x more sensitive to the hydrogen-alpha wavelength, bringing out the true clarity and colours of the night sky.

Now discontinued, you’ll need some luck finding a D810A on the second-hand market, but they do appear now and again from around $2400-2800 (with similar prices in £GBP). Canon also produced its own mirrorless astro-converted camera, the Canon EOS RA. However, it has long since been discontinued, and frankly, good luck finding one.

Find out how Goran Strand uses the Nikon D810A.

An alternative to buying a camera dedicated to astrophotography, a service like www.lifepixel.com can convert a regular camera by replacing the standard low-pass filter with one that allows H-alpha emissions. Conversion could breathe new life into a camera otherwise gathering dust, or you could pick up a second-hand DSLR specifically for modification at a much lower price than a dedicated one.

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Text by Tim Coleman, with contributions from Jon Stapley and Michael Topham.

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Once you had a look at the different camera options, you’ll find some great tips in our articles on astrophotography.

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