Searching for the best astrophotography cameras for beginners can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn a few things first and the process becomes much easier.
Many are drawn to this form of photography because it combines art and science, allowing you to capture great photos right from your own back garden.
This requires a camera tailored to handle low-light and vast distances. So when you’re on a quest to find the best camera, focus on several key features that can make all the difference to your photos (or videos!)
Beginners often begin with an entry-level DSLR or Mirrorless camera. In contrast to point-and-shoot or mobile phone cameras, these models feature interchangeable lenses, which are highly advantageous for astrophotography.
The Science Behind the Magic: Camera Technology
Astrophotography relies heavily on the underlying technology of cameras to transform faint starlight into a stunning image.
The magic begins in the camera’s sensor, a vital component that influences how well your camera performs in low-light conditions.
Full-frame sensors generally outperform smaller ones by capturing more light, essential when you’re shooting in the dark expanse of the night sky.
High ISO capabilities allow cameras to be more sensitive to the little light available at night, helping to produce clearer images with less noise.
However, there’s a delicate balance here, as pushing the ISO too high can introduce graininess, so experiment with your camera’s limits.
Another important aspect is noise reduction technology. Long exposure shots, common in astrophotography, often introduce speckles of ‘noise’ that can mar the crystal-clear picture you’re aiming for.
Cameras with advanced noise reduction features help mitigate this issue, allowing for cleaner, crisper starry skies.
Getting the right exposure can be tricky. Cameras offering manual controls over aperture, shutter speed, and exposure settings provide the flexibility necessary to capture photos of the night sky with precision.
Don’t forget about image stabilization features, which can be invaluable if doing long exposures without a tripod.
Technological advancements have also introduced specialized filters within cameras, particularly in models designed for astrophotography.
These filters can help isolate specific wavelengths of light, such as those emitted by nebulas, enhancing the final image’s clarity and colour depth.
Mastering the use of these technologies and features requires practice and patience, but they are powerful tools in bringing the night sky to life through your lens.
Showcasing Excellence: 6 Of The Best Astrophotography Cameras For Beginners
| Image | Name | Camera Type | Sensor Size | ISO Sensitivity | Manual Controls Option? | Price (lowest to highest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Canon EOS 2000D | DSLR | 24.1 MP | 100-6400 | YES | Latest Price |
 | Pentax 1202 KF | DSLR | 24.2MP | 100-6400 (expandable) | YES | Latest Price |
 | Canon EOS 90D | DSLR | 32.5 MP | 100-25600 (expandable) | YES | Latest Price |
 | Canon EOS RP | Mirrorless | 26.2 MP | 100-40000 (expandable) | YES | Latest Price |
 | Sony Alpha 7 III | Mirrorless | 24.2 MP | 100-51200 (expandable) | YES | Latest Price |
 | Nikon Z6 II | Mirrorless | 24.5 MP | 100-51200 (expandable) | YES | Latest Price |
Canon EOS 2000D
The Canon EOS 2000D, also known as the Rebel T7 in North America, is an entry level DSLR that offers a value starting point for beginners.
Specifications:
- Sensor: 24.1MP APS-C CMOS
- Processor: DIGIC 4+
- Autofocus: 9-point AF (1 cross-type)
- ISO Range: 100-6,400 (expandable to 12,800)
- Continuous Shooting: 3 fps
- Video: 1080p Full HD at 30/25/24fps
- Screen: 3-inch fixed LCD, 920k dots
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC
- Weight: 475g (with battery and memory card)
The popular Canon EOS 2000D has a 24.1MP APSC CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ processor, which together provide a good image quality.
For basic astrophotography, like capturing the Milky Way or star trails, the EOS 2000D can perform well, especially when paired with a ‘fast’ lens and the right settings
It has its limitations, which you would expect for a camera of its price range. As such, for more advanced deep sky astrophotography you may want to consider a camera with better low light performance and higher ISO capabilities.
If you’re just starting out and looking for an affordable option, the Canon EOS 2000D is a good entry point. But as you progress, you might want to find yourself wanting to upgrade to a more advanced model.
Pentax 1202 KF
For those starting their journey into astrophotography, the Pentax KF DSLR camera is a good performer well worth consideration,
Specifications:
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
- Processor: PRIME MII
- ISO Range: 100-102,400
- Shutter Speeds: 1/6000-30 sec plus Bulb mode
- Image Stabilization: Sensor-shift Shake Reduction (SR)
- Continuous Shooting: 6 fps
- Video: 1080p Full HD at 30/25/24fps
- Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.95x magnification
- LCD: 3-inch vari-angle TFT color LCD, 1,037k dots
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Weight: 684g (with battery and memory card)
The Pentax 1202 KF camera features a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and also makes use of in-body image stabilization, great for capturing clear night-sky images.
One of its standout features is the Astrotracer function, which uses the camera’s GPS to track stars and reduce star trails during long exposures.
However, it is slightly heavier than some other entry level models, which might be a consideration if you’re planning to carry it around for extended periods.
Overall the Pentax KF provides a good balance of features and performance for beginners in astrophotography.
Canon EOS 90D
For beginners in astrophotography another fine DSLR offering from Canon is the EOS 90D .
Specifications:
- Sensor: 32.5MP APS-C CMOS
- Processor: DIGIC 8
- Autofocus: 45 cross-type AF points
- ISO Range: 100-25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
- Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
- Video: 4K up to 30fps, 1080p up to 120fps
- Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Weight: 701g (with battery and memory card)
- Battery Life: Approx. 1300 shots per charge
The Canon EOS 90D benefits from having a high resolution 32.5MP APSC CMOS sensor which is essential for capturing detailed images of the night sky.
It also has excellent ISO performance which helps reduce noise in low-light conditions,
A big plus for beginners is that the camera’s interface is intuitive, making it easier to navigate and adjust settings.
The Live View mode aids in precise focusing, however it lacks in-body image stabilization, so you’ll have to rely on lenses with optical stabilization for steady shots.
Canon EOS RP
The Canon EOS RP is a mirrorless camera, regarded as a good choice for beginners in astrophotography.
Specifications:
- Sensor: 26.2MP full-frame CMOS
- Processor: DIGIC 8
- Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 4779 selectable AF points
- ISO Range: 100-40,000 (expandable to 50-102,400)
- Continuous Shooting: 5 fps
- Video: 4K up to 25p, Full HD up to 60p
- Screen: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD, 1,040,000 dots
- Viewfinder: 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Weight: 485g (including battery and memory card)
- Battery Life: Approx. 250 shots per charge
The Canon EOS RP incorporates a 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor providing excellent low-light performance.
The camera’s high ISO capabilities allow for detailed images with minimal noise, making it easier to photograph faint celestial objects.
The OES RP benefits from a compact size and lightweight design, convenient for outdoor astrophotography sessions.
The camera’s vari-angle touchscreen and Dual Pixel CMOS AF system also aid in precise focusing, a ‘must have’ for sharp astrophotography images.
Overall, the Canon EOS RP offers a good balance of features and performance, making it a suitable option for those new to astrophotography.
Sony Alpha 7 III
The Sony Alpha 7 III mirrorless camera is highly regarded for astrophotography, thanks to its excellent low light performance and versatile features.
Specifications:
- Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS
- Processor: BIONZ X
- Autofocus: 693-point phase-detection AF / 425-point contrast-detect AF
- ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
- Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
- Video: 4K up to 30p, Full HD up to 120p
- Screen: 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, 921,600 dots
- Viewfinder: 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- Image Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Weight: 650g (with battery and memory card)
- Battery Life: Approx. 710 shots per charge
Its 24.2MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor produce high quality images with minimal noise, even at high ISO settings.
The camera’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during long exposures for clear and sharp astrophotography images.
The high ISO range allows for capturing detailed images in very low light conditions, making it a strong performer for night sky photography.
The camera’s tilting touchscreen and electronic viewfinder also provides flexibility and ease of use when composing shots in the dark.
A great feature of this camera is the Alpha 7 III’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization. This helps to reduce camera shake during long exposures. Also its user-friendly interface and customizable settings make it accessible for beginners.
Overall, the Sony Alpha 7 III offers a great balance of features and performance, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced astrophotographers.
Nikon Z6 II
The Nikon Z6 II mirrorless camera boasts features that make it a fantastic choice for beginners in astrophotography.
Specifications:
- Sensor: 24.5MP full-frame BSI-CMOS
- Processor: Dual EXPEED 6
- Autofocus: 273-point hybrid AF system
- ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
- Continuous Shooting: 14 fps
- Video: 4K UHD at 30/25/24p, Full HD at 120/100/60/50/30/25/24p
- Screen: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, 2,100,000 dots
- Viewfinder: 3.69M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- Image Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, mini HDMI, microphone, headphone
- Weight: 705g (with battery)
- Battery Life: Approx. 410 shots per charge
The Nikon Z6 II is celebrated for its robust low-light performance, provided by its 24.5MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor and dual EXPEED 6 processors.
The camera’s high ISO range allows for detailed images with minimal noise, and its excellent in-body image stabilization feature helps reduce camera shake during long exposures.
Even as a beginner, you’ll appreciate the camera’s interface. Nikon has designed the Z6 II to be user-friendly, ensuring that the controls are accessible even if you’re still learning the ropes.
For those new to astrophotography the Nikon Z6’s blend of performance, adaptability, and ease-of-use really does make it a great option to consider.
Selecting Your Ideal Camera: Balancing Needs and Budget
When venturing into astrophotography, identifying your specific needs is the first step.
Are you aiming to photograph vast starfields, focus on individual celestial bodies, or maybe capture both? Knowing your goals helps in narrowing down the camera features that matter most.
Find out more on the subject in the post ‘Astrophotography for Beginners – A Free Guide’
Budget can often be a decisive factor when choosing the right gear.
While top-of-the-line models offer premium features, there are many budget-friendly options that perform remarkably well and don’t overwhelm a beginner’s wallet.
Think ahead to future investment. As your skills develop, you’ll likely want to expand your capabilities, so choosing a camera that allows for accessory upgrades like lenses or tracking mounts can be a wise move.
It’s not just the camera that makes a successful astrophotographer. Accessories like sturdy tripods, remote shutters, and telescopes can greatly enhance your experience and results.
For newcomers, starting with a simpler camera can be beneficial, allowing you to focus on mastering techniques.
Good composition, understanding exposure time, and learning to use the equipment effectively will always yield impressive results, regardless of the camera model.
