Which Camera Should you Buy for Astrophotography? [2023-2024]

Recommended cameras:
OSC camera:
Small square sensor:
Cropped Sensor:
Full-Frame:
Mono Camera:
Small square sensor:
Cropped Sensor:
Full-Frame:

This video was sponsored by Brilliant.

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - DSLR/Mirrorless
02:41 - One-Shot-Color
04:10 - Monochrome
06:26 - Tips

[JasonTaylor-poxc]

I appreciate the idea of "use the camera you already have" - many of us have existing nice dSLR or mirrorless cameras, with the right mounts and technique are perfectly fine. I would not necessarily buy a new high end camera just for this purpose but it can be hard to justify buying a dedicated astro camera that costs as much as many mid-to-high end DSLRs. At least with a nicer, general purpose camera, you can use it for family portraits and travel too. So, yeah, an excellent starting point. Then, once you are overwhelmed with the astro-bug, consider getting a dedicated astro camera or modifying an existing dSLR.

[michael.a.covington]

1:15 The best camera to start with is the one you already have. YES! I wrote several books with that premise.

[leoncorns]

Great advice here. I started with my nikon DSLR and progressed to owning 5 dedicated astro cameras. The best one being the ZWO ASI 533MC as mentioned in the video. I find it works great with my Sky-watcher evostar ED80 refractor.

[stevenray]

This video arrives just in the nick of time! I've just resumed casual viewing of the night sky after 15 years, and armed( but not very dangerous ) with an old pair of 10x50 binos and a Fujifilm FinePix s4800 camera.

I'm not that knowledgable about photography beyond pointing it at something and taking a shot, and have a lot to learn( to my credit I have figured out that I need to remove the lens-cap before shooting! ). But I take it that the s4800 is good enough learn and grow with, as it were?

[philsastroimaging]

For OSC, don't overlook the 2400MC Pro. Great for medium to long focal lengths with its 5.94 um pixels. I use this camera on my Edge 9.25 up to f/10 and also my SVX130T. Full Frame and a much smaller file size than the 6200.

[mikehardy]

Have a T7i astromoded by Spencer cameras, best place to get it done. I thought dedicated cooled astro cameras were too expensive. I now have THE. ZWO ASI533-MC PRO! $900 for this is a game changer. If you have a scope do this. If you plan on ASiair in the future, you need all ZWO products anyway.

[oscarcasanova]

Looking to get into Astrophotography. This video was an amazing help! Thanks soooo much!!

[Astro_Oogo]

I love the energy from both of you. This is a great video! One that is going to make me spend more money xD

[quentinG_]

In fact you can use 36mm unmounted filters with a filter wheel with the ASI2600mm pro. It works perfectly and it is « a bit » less expensive… 😅

[DuchessArtisanCreations]

Hi, love the video😻😻. I have 2 questions about the ZWO ASI6200MC Pro Cooled Color Camera. 1. Do I need to add additional filters for Astrophotography? 2. Can I use the camera with the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi?

[anata]

Full frame camera needs superb optic for scope. So, what a gain 2600 and 6200 over 294? Only FOV?

[MrRatDotCom]

Earlier this week I ordered a 533 to pair with my Redcat 51. That 1" sensor gives me 675mm in 35mm equivalence. Paired with the ASIAIR Mini it's nice a lightweight portable setup.

[Sanzitvilla]

I hope your channel keeps growing....❤

[TevisC]

I think cameras like the ASI585MC should be mentioned for astrophotographers on a tight budget. Very perormant camera for the price. I have both the 533mm and 585mc

[Ben_Stewart]

Nice video. I really enjoy the Nikon D5300-5600 line for cheap astrophotography. Modified and you get a QHY247 (corrected) essentially. Probably a lot of good deals out there.

[michaelfrazier]

What are your thoughts about Celestron NexImage 5?

[lucay]

What about ASI 294 MM? Any feedbacks? Thanks

[anascancerjourney]

I have a nikon coolpix p1000. Incredibly photos of the moon, with craters in full glory. Super zoom. I haven't tried it for objects further away. I will be selling it at the end of summer 2023. Please let me know if you would like to purchase it.

[JonnyBravo]

Interesting that you recommended the 2" filters/wheel for the 2600/268 cameras. Why would you go with the 2" instead of the more often recommended 36mm filters/wheel? What optics / imaging trains would necessitate those larger filters?

[damiengalanaud]

Don't forget the other brands that may be significantly cheaper and more readily available than ZWO or QHY, especially for cameras with the IMX571 sensor. I can mention Touptek, Explore Scientific, Altair and Player one for instance. They are almost identical to the ZWO 2600MC/MM. After 4 years buying only ZWO cameras, I just bought an Altair 26M. While not the cheapest of the bunch, it was still 500 € less than the 2600 MM, a noticeable price difference. The Touptek versions are even cheaper on Ali Express, if you can leave with the fact that you will have next to 0 support if your camera fails.