Questions? Call us 01743 224 180

Planetary cameras

Planetary cameras for imaging Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, the Moon and the Sun. They record fast video, and stacking software keeps the sharpest frames, caught in moments of steady air. This is called lucky imaging. Many of these cameras also work as guide cameras for deep-sky imaging.

Not sure which camera suits your telescope? Call 01743 224 180 or send us a question and we’ll match one to your setup.

11 products

Colour or mono

A colour camera has a Bayer matrix, a fixed pattern of red, green and blue over the pixels, so the planet comes out in colour from a single video. It’s the simplest way to start. A mono camera has no Bayer matrix and is used with a filter wheel. It gives sharper results, and it’s the usual choice for the Sun in hydrogen-alpha. Only ever image the Sun through a proper solar filter.

Matching a camera to your telescope

Pixel size decides how much magnification you need to record the finest detail, and so whether you need a Barlow lens. Small sensors keep frame rates high, which suits the planets. Larger sensors fit more of the Moon or Sun in one frame. Camera specifications explained shows how pixel size and focal length work together.

We’ll help you choose

Tell us your telescope and whether you’re imaging the planets, the Moon or the Sun, and we’ll suggest a camera and the Barlow to go with it. Call 01743 224 180 or send us a question: we answer the same working day. To compare models yourself, use Compare cameras or Shop by sensor.