Astrophotography is one of the most rewarding pursuits for any astronomer. Capturing the beauty of distant galaxies, nebulae, and the intricate details of the moon and planets requires the right equipment. Among the most important pieces of gear for astrophotography are telescopes. Choosing the right telescope for astrophotography can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. In this article, we will compare five of the top telescopes for astrophotography, highlighting their features, strengths, and how they perform in various astrophotography applications.
1. Celestron NexStar 8SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a top contender in the world of astrophotography, especially for beginners and intermediate users. This Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope combines the benefits of both reflector and refractor telescopes, making it a versatile option for capturing high-quality images.

Key Features:
- Aperture: 8 inches (203mm) – offers good light-gathering ability for deep-sky imaging.
- Focal Length: 2032mm with a f/10 focal ratio – ideal for planetary imaging.
- Mount: Single-arm altazimuth mount with GoTo functionality, which automatically points the telescope to your target.
- Advanced Features: Includes SkyAlign technology, which makes it easy to set up and align the telescope.
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography:
The 8SE’s large aperture allows for excellent views of the moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. Its Schmidt-Cassegrain design ensures crisp images with minimal optical distortion, perfect for astrophotographers who want clear, detailed shots. The GoTo mount makes tracking celestial objects much easier, which is essential for long-exposure astrophotography.
Best For:
- Beginners and intermediate astrophotographers
- Planetary and lunar imaging
- Those looking for a compact, portable telescope with advanced features
2. Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Dobsonian Telescope
The Sky-Watcher 8-inch Dobsonian is a fantastic option for astrophotography, particularly for those who want a manual mount and a large aperture at an affordable price. While it’s not equipped with GoTo tracking, it offers stellar performance in terms of light-gathering power.

Key Features:
- Aperture: 8 inches (200mm) – large enough to capture detailed images of deep-sky objects.
- Focal Length: 1200mm with a f/6 focal ratio – faster focal ratio is ideal for wide-field astrophotography.
- Mount: Dobsonian mount – offers stability for long-exposure shots, though manual tracking is required.
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography:
The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian offers a large aperture for deep-sky imaging at a very reasonable price. The f/6 focal ratio allows you to capture wide-field images of the night sky, such as constellations and larger nebulae. While it lacks the GoTo functionality, astrophotographers can easily upgrade to a motorized mount for tracking purposes.
Best For:
- Amateur astrophotographers who want to get serious about deep-sky imaging
- Budget-conscious users who want a large aperture
- Those willing to manually track celestial objects
3. Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope Dobsonian Telescope
The Orion SkyQuest XT10i is another excellent Dobsonian telescope that combines a large aperture with intelligent tracking technology. Unlike the manual Sky-Watcher model, the XT10i features the IntelliScope computerized system, making it easier to locate and track celestial objects for astrophotography.

Key Features:
- Aperture: 10 inches (254mm) – a significant improvement in light-gathering power for deep-sky astrophotography.
- Focal Length: 1200mm with a f/5 focal ratio – wide-field views, ideal for capturing larger objects like galaxies.
- Mount: Dobsonian mount with IntelliScope computer-assisted object location system.
- Portability: Despite its large aperture, it’s still relatively easy to transport.
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography:
The XT10i has a large aperture that lets you gather plenty of light for capturing fine details in deep-sky images, including galaxies and nebulae. The IntelliScope system allows for precise tracking, which makes it much easier to capture long-exposure images without losing alignment.
Best For:
- Intermediate to advanced astrophotographers
- Users who want a larger aperture for deep-sky astrophotography
- Those who prefer a manual mount with computerized assistance for object locating
4. Astro-Tech AT80ED Refractor Telescope
The Astro-Tech AT80ED is a highly regarded ED (extra-low dispersion) refractor telescope, known for its superior optics and color correction. This telescope is perfect for astrophotographers who want to capture sharp, high-contrast images of the moon, planets, and star clusters.

Key Features:
- Aperture: 80mm – smaller than some other telescopes on this list, but ideal for planetary and lunar photography.
- Focal Length: 600mm with an f/7.5 focal ratio – provides a balance between wide-field and high-magnification views.
- Optical Design: ED (extra-low dispersion) glass for better color correction and image clarity.
- Mount: Requires a separate mount (e.g., equatorial mount) for astrophotography.
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography:
The ED optics in this telescope reduce chromatic aberration (color fringing), which is essential for achieving sharp and clear images in astrophotography. Its relatively short focal length is perfect for wide-field astrophotography, especially when capturing star clusters, nebulae, and the Milky Way.
Best For:
- Astrophotographers focused on planetary, lunar, and wide-field imaging
- Those who want a portable telescope with great optics
- Users who already have an equatorial mount or want to pair it with one
5. Meade LX90 ACF Telescope
The Meade LX90 ACF is a high-performance Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) telescope, known for producing ultra-sharp, distortion-free images. It’s an excellent choice for astrophotographers who want to capture deep-sky objects with exceptional clarity.

Key Features:
- Aperture: 8 inches (203mm) – provides ample light-gathering ability.
- Focal Length: 2000mm with an f/10 focal ratio – ideal for planetary and deep-sky imaging.
- Optical Design: ACF (Advanced Coma-Free) optics for improved image quality.
- Mount: Equatorial GoTo mount for precise tracking and easy setup.
Why It’s Great for Astrophotography:
The Meade LX90 ACF boasts Advanced Coma-Free optics that eliminate distortion at the edges of the field of view, making it ideal for capturing pinpoint stars in deep-sky astrophotography. Its GoTo mount ensures accurate tracking, while the f/10 focal ratio is perfect for both planetary and deep-sky photography.
Best For:
- Advanced astrophotographers who want superior image quality
- Those focusing on both planetary and deep-sky astrophotography
- Users looking for a telescope with a GoTo mount and ACF optics
Conclusion
Choosing the right telescope for astrophotography is essential to achieving stunning images of the night sky. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced astrophotographer, the telescopes on this list represent a variety of price points and features to suit different needs and skill levels.
- Celestron NexStar 8SE and Meade LX90 ACF are perfect for astrophotographers who want to combine ease of use with excellent image quality.
- Sky-Watcher Dobsonian and Orion SkyQuest XT10i offer large apertures for deep-sky imaging at more affordable prices.
- Astro-Tech AT80ED is ideal for those who prefer a refractor design with superior color correction.
No matter which telescope you choose, these options will help you unlock the beauty of the universe through your lens.