Top pick · Canon£490
Canon EOS M50 + Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Body £280 + lens £210 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 24mm equivalent · 795g
Why: low-light rating 2.8/5.
Buying guide · updated 5 November 2026
Best camera for astrophotography under £500
Night-sky photography needs a sensor that stays clean at ISO 3200–6400, plus a wide, fast lens around 14–24mm equivalent at f/2.8 or brighter. A sturdy tripod matters as much as the camera. Here are the best complete setups (body plus the right lens) you can buy for £500 or less, using real UK prices.
Quick answer
The best £500 setup for astrophotography is the Canon EOS M50 with the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary, about £490 with the body bought used. Why: low-light rating 2.8/5.
Best £500 setups for astrophotography, brand by brand
The best setup we found from each major system, ranked on how well it suits astrophotography. Bodies priced used where MPB lists them.
Best Fujifilm option£500
Fujifilm X-T2 + Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS (manual)
Body £410 + lens £90 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 18mm equivalent · 767g
Why: low-light rating 2.8/5.
Best Nikon option£490
Nikon D5600 + Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC (manual)
Body £320 + lens £170 (typical MPB used price where listed, otherwise new) · 21mm equivalent · 1017g
Why: low-light rating 2.8/5.
Cheaper alternatives from the same brands
Not every pick needs the top body. These cost noticeably less and still do the job well.
| Brand | Setup | Total | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon | D3500 + Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC (manual) | £360 | Why: low-light rating 2.8/5. |
Best bodies for astrophotography under £500
Canon
EOS RP
2019MirrorlessOlder model
26MP
5fps max
—readout ms
40kmax ISO
Low light 485g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£334–484
The cheapest full frame in this guide. Short battery life, so carry spares.
Sony
Alpha A6500
2016MirrorlessOlder model
24.2MP
11fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 453g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£369–539
Sony's first APS-C body with IBIS. Small battery, but capable and cheap used.
Nikon
Z30
2022Mirrorless
20.9MP
11fps max
—readout ms
51.2kmax ISO
Low light 405g · no EVF
New ≈£529
Used at MPB*£474
Nikon's vlogging body: flip screen, no viewfinder, Z DX lenses.
Fujifilm
X-T30
2019MirrorlessOlder model
26.1MP
8fps max
—readout ms
12.8kmax ISO
Low light 383g
New ≈No longer sold new
Used at MPB*£229–659
Small retro body with the X-T3 sensor and film simulations.
Panasonic
Lumix G97 (G90)
2019Mirrorless
20.3MP
9fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 536g · IBIS · sealed
New ≈£649
Used at MPB*£369
Well-rounded Micro Four Thirds body with IBIS, mic input and a flip screen.
OM System
Olympus PEN E-P7
2021Mirrorless
20.3MP
8.7fps max
—readout ms
25.6kmax ISO
Low light 337g · IBIS · no EVF
New ≈Check retailers
Used at MPB*£179–469
Stylish compact with the PEN-F's profile dial. No viewfinder.
What to look for
Night-sky photography needs a sensor that stays clean at ISO 3200–6400, plus a wide, fast lens around 14–24mm equivalent at f/2.8 or brighter. A sturdy tripod matters as much as the camera.
Full-frame sensorClean high ISOIntervalometerFast wide lens
Lens: Wide (14–24mm equivalent) and fast (f/2.8 or brighter) to gather starlight.
Other budgets
More to spend? Best under £1,000. Or read the full astrophotography buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camera for astrophotography under £500?
Our top pick is the Canon EOS M50 with the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary, about £490 buying the body used. If you only need a body, the Canon EOS RP scores highest at this budget.
What is the best £500 astrophotography camera setup?
Canon EOS M50 + Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary (£490); Fujifilm X-T2 + Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS (manual) (£500); Nikon D5600 + Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC (manual) (£490).
Should I buy new or used for astrophotography?
Buying the body used typically saves 30–50% and leaves more of the £500 for a better lens, which usually matters more. New gives a full warranty and the latest firmware.
What lens do I need for astrophotography?
Wide (14–24mm equivalent) and fast (f/2.8 or brighter) to gather starlight.
Prices checked 5 November 2026: used prices are the middle of the MPB price range for the body and the lens on that mount; new prices are typical UK prices. Picks are ranked from the specs in our database for this type of photography.