The 5 Best guiding cameras (2023 reviews)

The svbony astronomy camera's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. New camera technology has made it possible to capture images and live video through a telescope for display on a computer screen making it easier to see celestial objects and much easier to share with kids, elderly parents and neighbors, and even total strangers. This camera is only as good as your telescope & tracking mount. It has a 1.25 inch tube ring. The fuzzy image is actually Messier 110 with no cropping. It works with is a bit of a hassle to get figured out correctly.

There are a lot of settings for this camera and it is definitely not something that you can just hook up and take a perfect picture within a matter of minutes. This comes with a disc that has the software. The quality won't blow anyone away, but it DOES take reasonable images of DSO's.

Why We Like This:

Absolutely amazing software package that allows for both planetary and deep sky images
A great start to astrophotography for beginners and experts alike
Valuable component of an astrophotography toolchain
Meets the basic needs of astronomy enthusiasts for planetary photography

Best For reflector Telescope: SVBONY guiding Camera

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The svbony guiding camera is capable of outshining several other camera featured in this list in overall features in its price range. The SVBONY SV205 telescope camera uses IMX179 color sensor to generate color images. It can view and capture live video of the sun, moon, and planets on your computer. This type of camera sensor is ideal for capturing images of planets like saturn, jupiter and mars because the images are highly magnified. It is fine for terrestrial viewing, not so good at celestial use.

The "sharpness" control on the camera software does not effect the camera at all. It comes with its own software that works with windows. It can be used as either a guidescope, or for astrophotography directly. It is easy to use once you understand the software.

Why We Like This:

Fun little camera that shoots nice pictures
Light weight and good size for small telescope
Good investment for long term

Best For auto guiding: ZWO guiding Camera

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Best part: zwo guiding camera costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. This is the smallest series in any noncooled CCD camera. It offers peak qe of 75% and low read noise to give an excellent level of performance despite its compact size. It works flawlessly with PHD2 and has pretty good signal to noise readout, even in heavy light pollution. The cable that snaps into the autoguide port is plenty long enough. It allows tight tracking of faint guide stars.

The camera weighs just 2.1 oz and slips into a 1.25” focuser. It is great for auto guiding. The compact form factor with a diameter of 36mm lets you slip the camera into a 1.25” focuser. This camera is easy to use and does its job extremely well.

Why We Like This:

Coated protective window to maximize transmission and protect the sensor
Compact, sharp guide camera for astrophotography
Excellent for tracking planets and nebula

Best For Spotting Scope: Astromania guiding Camera

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Next on the list, we've got yet another camera that manages to win our hearts. It's the astromania guiding camera and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient camera you can buy. These two kinds of CEMOS Cameras both have a 1.25" nosepiece for precise focusing and different 1.25" astronomical filter installation. It requires the use of a telescope or spotting scope for its optics. It has a built-in ST4 auto guider port for the easy connection of the auto guider, thermal design to transfer the sensor heat to the aluminum house quickly. It will work as a imaging camera.

It does not have a focal length, there are no lenses on it.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
Delivers what they promise

Best For cheap autoguider: Astromania guiding Camera

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Best part: astromania guiding camera costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours.

Why We Like This:

New and hot release
One of the new comers and featured product