Astrophotography

Choosing the right camera for astrophotography

Large selection

Even entry-level cameras can produce great images in astrophotography

A 4,000-euro astro camera is certainly not a suitable device for getting started in astrophotography. And as far as the classic beginner objects ‘sun, moon and planets’ are concerned, you are only shooting at sparrows with cannons. Often a simple digital camera is already available, with which you can take quite useful pictures through the eyepiece. However, if you are about to buy a new one, here are a few important things:

Decide on the right sensor size

Full-frame APS-C MFT (Micro-Four Third) 1-inch smartphones

The larger the sensor, the more light enters the camera

Note the crop factor of each sensor

full frame= 1 : 1

APS-C = 1 : 1.5

MFT (Micro-Four Third) = 1 : 1.6

1 inch = 1 : 2.72

Conversion of the sensor size

full frame = 24mm à APS-C = 36mm

full frame = 24mm à 1-Zoll = 65mm

Note here about the sensor

Large sensor à larger pixels require less light, lower noise

Small sensor à smaller pixels require more light, higher noise behavior

What do I really need to create astrophotos?

Manual mode

BULB

Good ISO behavior

Largest possible sensor

My camera recommendation depending on sensor size

Full frame: Sony Alpha 7 line up

Aps-C: Sony Alpha 6000 line up

1-Inch: Sony RX100 line up