7 Best DSLR Camera For Astrophotography 2024

What you need to consider when choosing the best DSLR camera for astrophotography?

If you really want to capture the beauty of the night sky, an astrophotography camera is a must-have. There are several types of cameras available to choose from. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to choose the right type for your needs.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing an astrophotography camera:

- The size of the sensor: A larger sensor can capture more light and provide better image quality, but it also requires more space, which might be an issue for smaller cameras.

- Additionally, large sensors tend to be more expensive than smaller ones, so it’s important to budget for this factor as well.

- The resolution: A higher resolution means a sharper image, but it also takes up more space on your memory card. So again, be sure that there’s enough room on your card before choosing a high resolution model.

- The field of view (FOV): A wide FOV gives you a wider view of the night sky, but it can also make it harder to track objects with your camera. So if you’re trying to take pictures of distant objects, a wide FOV could prove problematic.

 

1. Canon EOS R

Features:

• 30MP full-frame sensor, 3.69M dot OLED viewfinder
• Full-motion rear LCD
• 6EV autofocus (with F1.2 lens)
• 5 fps with continuous AF, 3 fps in 'Tracking Priority mode'
• 1.8x sensor crop for UHD 4K 30p
• Canon Log (10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI, 8-bit 4:2:0 internal) USB charging (with some chargers)

 

 

Why you should buy:

• Rapid Dual-Pixel AF in Real-Time Live View
• Brilliant rear-mounted touchscreen with a wide range of viewing angles
• Controls, construction, and handling
• An exceptionally clear viewfinder allows you to preview your final images with pinpoint accuracy.
• The new finder can also playback audio, zoom in, and display options.
• To top it all off, Finder displays real-time automated distortion correction. The final photographs will seem identical to what you see on screen.
• Automatic eye control for the EVF/LCD is reliable and effective, keeping the desired display active at all times.
• Observable data displays can be rotated in tandem with the camera.
• Live RGB histograms in three sizes allow you to make an accurate exposure determination before you shoot. This is especially useful for bright whites and the extremely saturated colors I achieve by using my wacky +4 saturation settings.
• Optional focus distance readout with integrated depth of field indicator. (Can't be accomplished with an adapted lens; requires a native RF lens.)
• The information displayed on the finder and the flipped touch screen need not be identical.

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• False 4K video
• It seems like nothing has changed in terms of image quality.
• There is only room for one card.
• While Silent Shutter is fantastic, it prevents the EOS R from being used in Continuous Shutter mode as of firmware version 1.0.0. Canon will provide a firmware update to address this issue, although flash, HDR, and flicker reduction remain inaccessible in quiet shooting (no silent camera can).
• As with all Canon DSLRs, there is no sensor-shift stabilization. IBIS was designed for manufacturers other than Canon, who have yet to perfect optical IS. When using a wide-angle lens, IBIS is not very effective; optical IS built into the lens performs much better.
• While the rear LCD lacks an automatic brightness setting, it may be used in bright sunlight if the brightness is increased to its maximum.

 

Conclusion:

- To sum up, the EOS R has excellent image quality and its in-camera JPEGs are somewhat better than those of the 5D Mark IV due to updated default sharpening. It's recommended for professionals when they want to buy a great astronomy camera.

- The EOS R and 5D IV have a same sensor, therefore there isn't much of a difference in terms of image quality. Sharp, detailed, and colorful photos are captured with the 30MP full-frame sensor. The color rendering in Canon cameras is consistently lauded as among the best in the industry. We appreciate that the colors are not artificially heightened, but rather feel natural.

- Super-detailed images seem great, but keep in mind that the EOS R still has an optical low-pass filter to prevent moiré and other aliasing errors. In order to improve their resolution, many modern cameras no longer include an OLPF. It can be challenging to eliminate all aliasing artifacts in post-production, although that is not always the case. When it comes to maximum resolution and clarity, the EOS R may fall short.

- Our in-field reviewer appreciated the raw files' high dynamic range and wide latitude for making tone tweaks. In contrast to rival full-frame cameras from Nikon and Sony, the EOS R's dynamic range isn't as impressive as that of the 5D Mark IV.

- The EOS R is an outstanding camera overall, but its high ISO performance, especially in raw format, is where it really shines. While both cameras share a comparable sensor, the 5D Mark IV's native ISO range has been increased somewhat to allow for more flexibility. The EOS R is capable of producing high-quality images, even at high ISO settings, thanks to its ability to capture an ideal combination of fine detail and low levels of noise.

 

2. Sony Alpha a7S III

Features:

• A CMOS sensor with 12 megapixels and a BSI architecture
• 5-axis, 5.5-stop picture stabilization
• 759-point hybrid AF with live-view tracking and an eye-detection autofocus
• Expansion from native ISO 80 to ISO 102,400, plus 10 fps of continuous shooting at ISO 40-409,600 in still mode
• Connectivity through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; screen size of 3 inches; pixel density of 1.44 million; support for 4K video at up to 120 frames per second
• Two SD/CFe card slots (compatible with UHS-II and Type A).

 

 

Why you should buy:

• Exhibits excellent functionality in dim lighting so it's the best camera for night sky photography.
• Superior video quality
• Ports provide a great deal of adaptability.
• Autofocus and tracking are quite impressive.
• Superb picture clarity.
• 4K recording using a 12MP full-frame sensor and 10-bit quality
• Extremely sensitive in dim conditions
• Autofocus that follows your subject's gaze via face and eye detection
• Coverage against dirt and water
• Upgraded User Interface for Touch Devices

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• The price is high.
• Quite substantial, with a good lens.
• The placement of the menu button is still curious.
• Some photographers may be frustrated by the limitations imposed by 12MP resolution.
• For professional-grade slow-motion video, you'll need CFExpress.
• An SLR lens adaptor will prevent autofocus from working during video recording.
• Having a low resolution is a problem while taking pictures.
• Neither the 6K nor 8K video resolutions are supported.

 

Conclusion:

- The Sony a7S III excels in dim lighting conditions. When compared to earlier versions, this one significantly outperforms the competition in terms of noise performance.

- The Sony a7S III's (Amazon, B&H) autofocus is top-notch. I never had any issues with the speed or accuracy of either Eye AF (which can also be used in video) or face detection.

 

3. Canon EOS R5

Features:

• Classified as Mirrorless
• Canon Mount. RF
• Frame rates: 8K 30p / 4K 120p
• It weighs in at a mere 1.43 ounces.
• Measurements are 5.35 x 3.84 x 3.46 inches.
• One UHS-II SD/CFexpress B memory card.
• Full-frame CMOS sensor (36 x 24mm) with 45 megapixels
• Military positions: 5,940
• From 100 to 51,200 ISO (expandable to 50-102,400)
• 5 axis, 8-point stabilization
• 12 fps maximum mechanical shutter speed, 20 fps maximum electronic shutter speed
• The viewfinder is an OLED half-inch display with 5,690k dots and a 100 percent field of view.
• LCD: 3.15-inch fully-articulating touchscreen, 2,100 x 1,024 pixels 

 

 

Why you should buy:

• One of the best canon astrophotography camera
• Capture stunning 8K 30p videos at 20fps with animal-specific AF.
• Brilliant clarity and detail
• To put it simply, the best full-frame Lightening IBIS strike

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• Restrictions on Taping
• Just settle for 4K standard.
• Restrictions on Videotaping

 

Conclusion:

Additionally, the picture stabilization is excellent, making a noticeable difference when using a slow shutter speed or a long lens in low light. Images taken at high ISOs are noticeably noisier than those taken with the 5D Mark IV, and ISO performance is also slightly poorer (also a result of the high resolution).

 

4. Nikon D810

Features:

• It has a CMOS sensor with a resolution of 36,3 megapixels and a full-frame format (no AA filter)
• ISO 64-12,800 (expands to ISO 32-51,200)
• Mirror mechanism overhaul and electronic first-curtain shutter
• A brand-new 9-megapixel Raw option, called "RAW Size S," is available.
• A powerful engine for the Expendable 4
• Capable of up to 5 fps in FX mode and 7 fps in DX (with the battery grip and EN-EL18 or AA batteries, respectively)
• A 3.2-inch, 1,229k-dot RGBW LCD panel with a programmable, color OLED viewfinder information display
• Advanced subject tracking and metering with 91,000-pixel RGB metering sensor
• Face recognition in OVF mode is now possible thanks to the enhanced Scene Recognition System.
• A 51-point AF system with a new 'Group Area AF' mode enables for pinpoint leveling of horizons and lines in real view, thanks to the 'Split screen zoom' display (inherited from D4S)
• Expanded dynamic range capture is now possible with the new "Flat" Picture Control option (video-focused)
• The movie mode's manual exposure can be set to auto-ISO.
• As a means of adjusting the video camera's exposure settings, zebra stripes have been implemented.
• With the ability to record directly to a memory card from the uncompressed HDMI output
• Constructed with a stereo microphone in mind

 

 

Why you should buy:

• Adaptable performer
• Excellent construction, razor-sharp image quality, a pleasant grip, and minimal noise at high ISO settings.
• Superior battery life (you may shoot a thousand photos without having to recharge) and high ISO sensitivity (up to 6400) in JPEG mode; sealed against dust and moisture.
• Capacity to use dual memory cards

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• High in cost
• It could be somewhat hefty for some folks (980g including batteries)
• When shooting in RAW or S-RAW, the buffer is quite short, and U1 and U2 modes are unavailable.
• It is not possible to quickly switch between AF-S and AF-C.

 

Conclusion:

Battery life increased. Slightly better. I've never needed two batteries in a day. Despite using my D810 from dawn to dusk with VR lenses and Live View, I charged the batteries once every three days in Africa. The battery life is better than everything I've used save for a Canon 1Dx.

To narrow focus. This version is better, but not considerably. I quickly mastered the new focusing system, although I'm still unsure when Group is better than 9-Point. Group allows the camera to make a quick judgement, whereas 9-point tests your choice first. Group favours the closest subject above autofocus in modern DSLRs. It's fantastic since it's predictable, unlike Dynamic AF's paternalistic AF.

The D810's focus mechanism isn't any faster than the D800E's, but it can shoot at 7 fps without stuttering (DX mode with MB-D12).

 

5. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Features:

• Video in DCI 4K 30/24p Motion JPEG + 4K Frame Rate Using New 30.4MP CMOS Full-Frame Sensor Grab
• AF system has 61 points, 41 of which are cross-type (center point sensitive to -3 EV)
• Video ISO 100-32000 and stills Dual Pixel AF (sensitive to -4EV) for continuous Servo AF (first for a full-frame Canon camera) (expandable to 102400)
• Rapid fire at 7 frames per second
• Dual-Pixel Raw Image Capture (image microadjustment, bokeh shift, ghosting reduction)
• 150k pixel color and infrared light metering sensor
• 3.2" always-on display, 1.62 million-pixel screen, Wi-Fi, near-field communication (NFC), and global positioning system
• Bulbs with in-built timers that can be set at specific intervals
• More effective weatherproofing

 

 

Why you should buy:

• 3.2-inch display, the first touchscreen in the 5D family
• Cinema 4K footage at up to 30 frames per second with high ISO performance
• Integrated Wi-Fi Higher ISO Capability
• Live view focusing accuracy with a superior AF system
• Sensing performance is superb.
• A burst rate of 7 frames per second
• Options for Interfacing
• Robust construction and control

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• The filesize of a 4K video is significant, and the crop factor of 1.64x makes it difficult to share online.
• Unfortunately, the HDMI connector only supports HD video output, so you can't use it to transfer 4K footage to a separate recorder.
• The new Dual-Pixel RAW image format falls short of expectations.
• There isn't a swiveling display.
• When compared to the competition, the price is high.
• There has been no expansion in ISO sensitivity.
• Standard definition and frame rate

 

Conclusion:

- The Canon 5D Mark IV's 8-megapixel resolution bump produces sharp, well-saturated photos. Professionals love huge RAW image files because they keep so much detail. The sensor outperforms the Mark III in low light, recovering more detail in dark areas. This makes the camera faster than its predecessor, albeit by 1fps. This and the new AF method increase live view responsiveness.

- In low light, the live view focus mechanism excels; touch the screen to set the focus, then shoot the photo. Mark V quiet continuous shooting rate is 3 fps, like Mark IV. Canon 5D Mark IV includes EOS 5DS metering.

- 4K video may appeal filmmakers despite the lack of a tilting screen (like the 80D). Lack of 4K HDMI output and 1.74 crop factor may be deal breakers. 4K video quality is significantly more detailed than HD and can make 8-megapixel JPEGs from the clip.

 

6. Nikon D850

Features:

• Up to 30 frames per second can be recorded in ultra-high definition 4K across the entire sensor, and up to 120 frames per second can be recorded in 1080p for what amounts to a slow-motion recording at a speed of about a fifth or a quarter of normal speed.
• The camera is impressive with its 1840 shots per charge battery life, 4:2:2 8-bit UHD uncompressed output while recording to card, XQD slot, and SD slot that is UHS II compliant.
• A 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels and LED backlighting.
• In other words, it's a camera with a DX crop sensor and 19.4 megapixels (or 8.6MP at 30fps for up to 3 sec)
• Superlative Time Lapse Capabilities
• Constant connection to the internet and wireless devices via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) thanks to SnapBridge (including in-camera 4K video creation)

 

 

Why you should buy:

• Superb level of precision
• The average number of frames per second is seven when grip is not used, and nine when it is.
• Stunning stills and video in full 4K resolution
• Best camera for taking pictures of stars because all subjects photographed have an excellent range of tones

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• Reduced capacity buffer at 9 frames per second
• Memory cards need to be fast.
• Live Pedestrian AF Camera
• Larger in size than comparable mirrorless models.
• Capabilities of the optical viewfinder are limited to The Makeup of the Starry Skies

 

Conclusion:

- From what we've seen and heard, the Nikon D850 can suit any photography needs. It's Nikon's most advanced camera. Due to its 45.7 megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, the Nikon D850 is great for landscape, architectural, and studio photography.

- The Nikon D850's 181,000-pixel RGB meter, fast EXPEED 5 processor, 7 fps continuous shooting speed (expandable to 9 fps with the MB-D18 battery grip), and superb battery life make it a great choice for photographers who capture fast-paced scenes.

- Videographers like the ability to record in 4K at full frame rate, export 4:2:2 uncompressed video over HDMI, record in slow motion, and record time lapses in 4K and 8K.

- The Nikon D850's optional features—focus stacking, a tilting touch-enabled LCD screen, backlit controls, in-built WiFi and Bluetooth, a weather-sealed chassis, and dual card slots—show that Nikon spared no effort in producing a flexible, all-purpose camera. Nikon's D850 is the most powerful camera because it combines two lines.

 

7. Fujifilm X-T4

Features:

• 20 fps shooting with autofocus
• In-body image stabilization (up to 6.5EV correction)
• A 26-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor (15 with new mechanical shutter)
• Up to 60 frames per second in 4K (DCI or UHD) video; 240 frames per second in 1080 video, including 4-10 times slow-motion playback
• 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• Fully articulating rear touchscreen (up to 100 fps refresh rate)
• New NP-W235 battery with 500-shot rating; dual UHS-II card slots; USB-C type connector with USB PD charging; 12 Film Simulation modes, including Eterna Bleach Bypass;

 

 

Why you should buy:

• Excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) Articulating LCD 15 fps mechanical shutter Pro-grade, dust- and splash-proof body. It's not over if Fujifilm X-T4 is the best camera for stargazing.
• Enhanced power source
• Raw processing and film simulation on camera are both top-notch.
• Capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second with image stabilization in the body image stabilization
• A brand-new battery with significantly longer runtime
• LCD display with full range of motion
• A new mechanical shutter mechanism with a life of 300,000 actuations and a maximum frame rate of 15fps (up from 11fps on the X-T3) is included.

 

Why you shouldn’t buy:

• Lacks a regular headphone jack, which some people may find annoying (though a dongle is included)
• Extremely large focus range for tracking with even the smallest sensor

 

Conclusion:

With regards to low light, my favorite feature of the X-T4 is its dynamic range, which we discovered while shooting indoors to test the new IBIS. Even with JPEG files, we were able to get an astonishing diversity of tones. The transition from bright to dark areas of a scene is so seamless that it may even be seen in dimly lit night scenes.

We've updated the focusing algorithm so that it takes color and shape into account. In low light, the X-T4 produces exceptionally precise still images. The focusing system is identical to that of the X-T3, which implies that in theory, Fujifilm could implement the new algorithm into the X-T3 via a firmware update.

 

1. As far as night time photography goes, do mirrorless or DSLR cameras fare better?

While both have advantages and disadvantages, there are some clear advantages to using a dslr for astrophotography.

The first is size, which is easier to handle. More light can be captured by a larger sensor, and larger lenses are required to capture the light from distant stars. DSLRs can also provide better low-light performance, especially with long exposures.

Mirrorless cameras have more compact bodies, but this comes at a cost: smaller sensors can’t accommodate as many lenses, making it harder to get wide angles and close-up shots.

There are also other factors to consider. Interchangeable lenses are one of the biggest advantages of DSLRs; models like the Canon EOS 1DX and Nikon D810 have huge sensors that can accommodate large, high-quality glass. This means they can take full advantage of long exposure capabilities, as well as bracketing techniques that help capture multiple images at different exposures.

It's not all roses for mirrorless cameras. First and foremost is their smaller sensor size — which can make it harder to achieve the depth of field you need for astrophotography. They typically lack the interchangeable lens capability of a DSLR, although some models like the Sony A7 III do offer this feature via an adapter.

However, another important factor that should be considered is weight — mirrorless cameras tend to be lighter than their DSLR counterparts.

 

2. How do you take pictures of the stars using a DSLR camera?

When you’re ready to capture images of the night sky, one best dslr camera for astrophotography is a must. But there are a few things to consider.

First, you’ll need a camera that has aperature, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity settings that can be adjusted to meet your needs.

Second, you'll want to use a tripod to ensure a stable shot.

Third, you’ll need to be able to see through the viewfinder or monitor of your camera.

Finally, you’ll need to be able to find the right place to shoot. There are many factors that play into how well an image will turn out, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect right off the bat.

If you follow the advice given, you should have no trouble capturing some stunning photos.