Best Astrophotography Cameras: A Comparison of Canon, Nikon, and Sony
Revamped Article:
Hey there, yo! Ever wondered which camera brand rules the roost for astrophotography? We've got you covered! Let's dive into Canon, Nikon, and Sony’s top models for snatchin' stellar shots.
We examined over 300 photos from the last three years of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, breaking 'em down into Canon vs Nikon vs Sony, and got a glimpse of the most often-used cameras among the best astrophotographers in the world.
So here's what we found:
As you can see, Canon's on top, followed closely by Nikon with Sony taking the third spot.
Let’s run down the numbers a bit more: Out of all 376 images checked, 205 were taken with DSLR or mirrorless cameras. Canon, Nikon, and Sony accounted for 97% of these snaps, with the other 3% coming from a bunch of other brands like Pentax, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Olympus, and Panasonic.
Interestingly, Nikon actually took the lead in the most recent years, which might have something to do with the popularity of the Canon EOS 6D for astrophotography. Now, this bad boy's been a fav since it was released in 2012, but it's starting to hit its expiration date and can only be bought second-hand.
Need some more juice on this topic? Check out this video from astrophotographer Alyn Wallace. He puts the Canon EOS 6D under the magnifying glass and shares his thoughts on the situation (or you could just go ahead and check out our article on the Best Cameras for Astrophotography).
So now that we’ve talked numbers, let’s break it down even further:
Canon Astrophotography Cameras
By far, the Canon EOS 6D and EOS 5D Mark IV have been the biggest winners for Canon cameras in astrophotography, accounting for 62% of all images taken with Canon cameras in competition.
However, these powerhouse models don’t limit the list. altogether, there have been 23 different Canon camera models used in images shortlisted for the astrophotography competition, with the top 5 being:1. Canon EOS 6D2. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV3. Canon EOS 600D4. Canon EOS 6D Mark II5. Canon EOS R
Want to know more about these Canon beauty shots? Take a gander at the Best Canon Cameras for Astrophotography.
Nikon Astrophotography Cameras
The top winning Nikon cameras for astrophotography are:
- Nikon D750
- Nikon D850
These account for nearly 40% of photos snagged with Nikon cameras. Take a glance at the full list below:
- Nikon D750
- Nikon D850
- Nikon D810A
- Nikon D600
- Nikon D610
- Nikon D810
- Nikon Z6
- Nikon D3400
- Nikon D5300
- Nikon D5600
- Nikon D800
- Nikon Z7
- Nikon D7100
- Nikon D800E
- Nikon Z6 II
- Nikon Z7 II
There's always more to explore, so jump on in and delve deeper into these cameras in our article on the Best Nikon Cameras for Astrophotography.
Sony Astrophotography Cameras
The winning Sony models for astrophotography are:
- Sony A7R III
- Sony A7 III
These account for 45% of photos taken with Sony cameras. Here's the full list:
- Sony A7R III
- Sony A7 III
- Sony A7R II
- Sony A7S
- Sony A7 II
- Sony A99
- Sony a6300
- Sony a6500
- Sony A7R IV
Dig a bit deeper and check out the Best Sony Cameras for Astrophotography.
Frequently Asked Questions: Canon vs Nikon vs Sony Astrophotography
Are Nikon cameras any good for astrophotography?
For sure! Nikon cameras boast top-notch full-frame DSLR and mirrorless models for astrophotography.
Which Nikon camera’s the best for astrophotography?
According to our research, the Nikon D750 and D850 are the best Nikon cameras for astrophotography. Want to learn more? Head over our article on the Best Nikon Cameras for Astrophotography.
Are Sony cameras any good for astrophotography?
You betcha! Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras in the Alpha range are fantastic for astrophotography, as shown by their excellent performance in leading astrophotography competitions.
Which Sony mirrorless camera is the best for astrophotography?
According to our research, both the Sony A7R III and A7 III stand out as the best Sony cameras for astrophotography. Check out our article on the Best Mirrorless Cameras for Astrophotography for more.
Are Canon cameras alright for astrophotography?
Absolutely! Canon has been the most successful brand for astrophotography in the last three years, according to our research.
Which Canon camera’s the best for astrophotography?
The Canon EOS 6D and EOS 5D Mark IV are the top Canon cameras for astrophotography, as demonstrated by our research. More details can be found in our article on the Best Canon Cameras for Astrophotography.
Which brand is better for astrophotography: Canon or Nikon?
Both brands bring it, but Canon's slightly ahead in our data from the past three years. However, we believe that Sony will catch up in the future, as mirrorless cameras gain more popularity within the astrophotography sphere.
Which camera’s best for astrophotography: DSLR or mirrorless?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Both types of cameras have their pros and cons, so it really boils down to your personal preference and specific needs as an astrophotographer.
What kind of camera's best for astrophotography?
The most important thing is probably having a full-frame sensor. Make sure it’s compatible with fast, wide-angle lenses (f/2.8) for best results.
While we have theastrology.com's competition results for the past several years, the exact camera models used by the winners are not explicitly listed, making it difficult to confirm specific models and their specifications. Additional context and insights referring to other reputable astrophotography sources and competitions can help confirm overall trends in preferred camera models and enhance the article's credibility.
The mirroless camera, Sony A7R III, is widely used by astrophotographers, accounting for a significant percentage of the images in the competition. (gadgets, technology, cameras, mirrorless, astrophotography, photographers)
Fujifilm and Olympus are among the other brands whose cameras have been used in astrophotography, but their usage is relatively minor compared to Canon, Nikon, and Sony. (Canon, Nikon, Sony, cameras, other brands, astrophotography, photographers)
Astrophotographers also tend to favor the Canon EOS 6D for astrophotography, a model that has been popular since its release in 2012, despite approaching its expiration date. (Canon, astrophotography, gadgets, technology, cameras)
