Types of Astrophotography Cameras The purpose of this article is to categorize the various types of astrophotography cameras for individuals who are new to this hobby. Astrophotography is a fun aspect of amateur astronomy, but it may be challenging for beginners owing to the wide range of equipment required. We want to at least familiarize you with the major types of cameras used for astrophotography.
Types of Astrophotography Cameras: Camera Type I: Astrophotography Webcams
Ideal Targets: Planets & Moon

This initial group of Types of Astrophotography Cameras is one of the most common entry points. This is because of the inexpensive cost of compatible cameras and the quick learning curve to achieving great results! Furthermore, unlike deep space imaging, telescope tracking does not need to be as exact for this form of imaging. A new webcam will normally cost less than $100.
Astrophotography webcams are ideally suited for photographing planets with long focal length telescopes, such as an f/10 SCT. Then Barlow lenses are added to achieve apertures of f/20, f/30, or even f/40.
Astrophotography using a webcam employs a novel approach to picture capture and processing. Instead of shooting individual images, you record a “movie” and then use special software to remove the undesirable frames. After removing the undesired pictures, the acceptable quality frames are layered to create a comprehensive composite image of the globe. Ray Shore’s Webcam Astrophotography Tutorial for Planets has further information on planetary imaging with a webcam.
Types of Astrophotography Cameras: Here are some of the most common types:
- Celestron NexImage
Most notable about the NexImage is the imaging sensor. It uses the exact same CCD sensor as the discontinued Philips ToUcam Pro 740k, 840k, and SPC900NC (i.e. Sony ICX098BQ) which were probably the most popular planetary webcams in the past years. A nice aspect of the NexImage is that it comes with the telescope adapter (which had to be purchased separately from the Philips webcams) and software for processing the videos into a composite image.
Read Celestron Telescope Review
Packaged with the NexImage is the capture software and the very popular Registax software for processing the videos into a final detailed composite image.
- Meade LPI
The Meade LPI is another popular astrophotography camera. It is primarily used as a planetary webcam, but because of its 15-second exposure duration and affordable cost, it has also become a popular camera for auto-guiding. The Meade LPI, unlike the Philips webcams and Celestron NexImage, has a CMOS sensor rather than a CCD. Many imagers believe that CCD webcams generate clearer images. However, the attractiveness of the CMOS LPI is likely in its capacity to function as a very low-cost auto-guider for deep-space photography. As a result, it’s not unexpected that astro-imagers usually have one of each sort of camera on hand to handle various duties!
Types of Astrophotography Cameras: Camera Type II: High-End Planetary Cameras
Ideal Targets: Planets & the Moon
Types of Astrophotography Cameras provide high picture rates without data compression using a firewire connection rather than the slower USB connection used by standard webcams. The gain is higher frame rate AVI movies with no data loss or compression. The result is a set of incredibly detailed planetary photographs.
This feature raises the cost of obtaining high-quality images of the planets. Plus it needs a computer with a firewire port which are not as popular as USB ports (although a firewire expansion card can likely be added). However, if a camera in this class is within your budget and computing capabilities, it may be worth thinking about.
: Types of Astrophotography CamerasCamera Type III: Astrophotography DSLR’s
Ideal Targets: Moon, Sun, Comets, Nebula, Star Clusters, Galaxies
Many images are turning to digital SLR cameras for deep-space astrophotography. There are a few key advantages to utilizing this sort of equipment for astrophotography. First and foremost, DSLRs are multi-purpose cameras. In other words, they may be utilized for both regular terrestrial photography and astrophotography. So, during the day, you may use your DSLR to capture family photographs or magnificent scenery in Colorado, and at night, you can capture incredible images of the Andromeda Galaxy! The multi-purpose nature of a DSLR might help to justify the purchase! In addition, as compared to specialized CCDs, DSLRs offer a low-cost alternative for deep-space photography.
The biggest drawback of employing DSLRs for deep-space photography is the restriction on exposure duration. Because DSLRs lack active cooling, electronic noise becomes an issue in long-exposure photography. Fortunately, most of this may be avoided by stacking many brief exposures together, boosting the signal-to-noise ratio (i.e., more signal, less noise). But to get truly deep, then a more costly specialized CCD would be the camera of choice. See Camera Type IV: Dedicated Astrophotography CCDs for further information.
A few popular DSLR’s for astrophotography include:
Canon Models- 5d, 10D, 20D, 20DA, 40D, 50D, 300D, 350D, 450D, 1000D
Nikon Models- D2x, D3, D40, D40x, D70, D80, D90, D200, D300
Note that some of these models may be discontinued.
: Types of Astrophotography CamerasCamera Type IV: Dedicated Astrophotography CCDs
Ideal Targets: Comets, Nebula, Star Clusters, Galaxies
Types of Astrophotography Cameras series is the pinnacle of all celestial imaging technologies! Most of these cameras include a cooling system, can withstand extended exposures, can stare far into space, and may be rather expensive! Fortunately, the costs of specialized CCD cameras have dropped in recent years, putting a few models within reach of more imagers.
Most specialized astrophotography cameras use a CCD chip (rather than a CMOS chip) and some sort of CCD chip cooling, such as Peltier cooling or thermoelectric cooling. Long-exposure astrophotography may overheat the CCD chip, resulting in electrical noise in the final picture. In order to generate high-quality photographs, dedicated CCDs maintain the CCD chip as cold as possible during extended exposures.
Popular dedicated astrophotography camera brands include:
Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG)- large line of CCD cameras including low-end auto-guiders to serious high-end instruments with dual sensor self-guiding systems.
Meade– line of lower-cost deep sky imagers.
Orion- line of low-cost Star Shoot series. We hope you have enjoyed this look at some Types of Astrophotography Cameras.
Types of Astrophotography Cameras The purpose of this article is to categorize the various types of astrophotography cameras for individuals who are new to this hobby. Astrophotography is a fun aspect of amateur astronomy, but it may be challenging for beginners owing to the wide range of equipment required. We want to at least familiarize you with the major types of cameras used for astrophotography.
Quick Navigation
ToggleTypes of Astrophotography Cameras: Camera Type I: Astrophotography Webcams
Ideal Targets: Planets & Moon

This initial group of Types of Astrophotography Cameras is one of the most common entry points. This is because of the inexpensive cost of compatible cameras and the quick learning curve to achieving great results! Furthermore, unlike deep space imaging, telescope tracking does not need to be as exact for this form of imaging. A new webcam will normally cost less than $100.
Astrophotography webcams are ideally suited for photographing planets with long focal length telescopes, such as an f/10 SCT. Then Barlow lenses are added to achieve apertures of f/20, f/30, or even f/40.
Astrophotography using a webcam employs a novel approach to picture capture and processing. Instead of shooting individual images, you record a “movie” and then use special software to remove the undesirable frames. After removing the undesired pictures, the acceptable quality frames are layered to create a comprehensive composite image of the globe. Ray Shore’s Webcam Astrophotography Tutorial for Planets has further information on planetary imaging with a webcam.
Types of Astrophotography Cameras: Here are some of the most common types:
- Celestron NexImage
Most notable about the NexImage is the imaging sensor. It uses the exact same CCD sensor as the discontinued Philips ToUcam Pro 740k, 840k, and SPC900NC (i.e. Sony ICX098BQ) which were probably the most popular planetary webcams in the past years. A nice aspect of the NexImage is that it comes with the telescope adapter (which had to be purchased separately from the Philips webcams) and software for processing the videos into a composite image.
Read Celestron Telescope Review
Packaged with the NexImage is the capture software and the very popular Registax software for processing the videos into a final detailed composite image.
- Meade LPI
The Meade LPI is another popular astrophotography camera. It is primarily used as a planetary webcam, but because of its 15-second exposure duration and affordable cost, it has also become a popular camera for auto-guiding. The Meade LPI, unlike the Philips webcams and Celestron NexImage, has a CMOS sensor rather than a CCD. Many imagers believe that CCD webcams generate clearer images. However, the attractiveness of the CMOS LPI is likely in its capacity to function as a very low-cost auto-guider for deep-space photography. As a result, it’s not unexpected that astro-imagers usually have one of each sort of camera on hand to handle various duties!
Types of Astrophotography Cameras: Camera Type II: High-End Planetary Cameras
Ideal Targets: Planets & the Moon
Types of Astrophotography Cameras provide high picture rates without data compression using a firewire connection rather than the slower USB connection used by standard webcams. The gain is higher frame rate AVI movies with no data loss or compression. The result is a set of incredibly detailed planetary photographs.
This feature raises the cost of obtaining high-quality images of the planets. Plus it needs a computer with a firewire port which are not as popular as USB ports (although a firewire expansion card can likely be added). However, if a camera in this class is within your budget and computing capabilities, it may be worth thinking about.
: Types of Astrophotography CamerasCamera Type III: Astrophotography DSLR’s
Ideal Targets: Moon, Sun, Comets, Nebula, Star Clusters, Galaxies
Many images are turning to digital SLR cameras for deep-space astrophotography. There are a few key advantages to utilizing this sort of equipment for astrophotography. First and foremost, DSLRs are multi-purpose cameras. In other words, they may be utilized for both regular terrestrial photography and astrophotography. So, during the day, you may use your DSLR to capture family photographs or magnificent scenery in Colorado, and at night, you can capture incredible images of the Andromeda Galaxy! The multi-purpose nature of a DSLR might help to justify the purchase! In addition, as compared to specialized CCDs, DSLRs offer a low-cost alternative for deep-space photography.
The biggest drawback of employing DSLRs for deep-space photography is the restriction on exposure duration. Because DSLRs lack active cooling, electronic noise becomes an issue in long-exposure photography. Fortunately, most of this may be avoided by stacking many brief exposures together, boosting the signal-to-noise ratio (i.e., more signal, less noise). But to get truly deep, then a more costly specialized CCD would be the camera of choice. See Camera Type IV: Dedicated Astrophotography CCDs for further information.
A few popular DSLR’s for astrophotography include:
Canon Models- 5d, 10D, 20D, 20DA, 40D, 50D, 300D, 350D, 450D, 1000D
Nikon Models- D2x, D3, D40, D40x, D70, D80, D90, D200, D300
Note that some of these models may be discontinued.
: Types of Astrophotography CamerasCamera Type IV: Dedicated Astrophotography CCDs
Ideal Targets: Comets, Nebula, Star Clusters, Galaxies
Types of Astrophotography Cameras series is the pinnacle of all celestial imaging technologies! Most of these cameras include a cooling system, can withstand extended exposures, can stare far into space, and may be rather expensive! Fortunately, the costs of specialized CCD cameras have dropped in recent years, putting a few models within reach of more imagers.
Most specialized astrophotography cameras use a CCD chip (rather than a CMOS chip) and some sort of CCD chip cooling, such as Peltier cooling or thermoelectric cooling. Long-exposure astrophotography may overheat the CCD chip, resulting in electrical noise in the final picture. In order to generate high-quality photographs, dedicated CCDs maintain the CCD chip as cold as possible during extended exposures.
Popular dedicated astrophotography camera brands include:
Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG)- large line of CCD cameras including low-end auto-guiders to serious high-end instruments with dual sensor self-guiding systems.
Meade– line of lower-cost deep sky imagers.
Orion- line of low-cost Star Shoot series. We hope you have enjoyed this look at some Types of Astrophotography Cameras.