Best 'Least Noisy' camera at the moment?

Keith

I’ve no experience with high end of the camera market.
But after checking reviews on other sites I decided on a Canon 1100D, as
I plan to use it mostly for astro work. And it was within budget around €500.
From what I’ve read its better than 1000d/ 450d on noise It’s got 12 mp, 6400 ISO
and you can shoot AVI’s at 25/30fps in 1080 HD for planetary work.
I only have it a couple of weeks so no results yet, you know what it’s like when
you buy new astro gear, clouds and more clouds.

So maybe check it out, but if you’re looking at spending 3-4K forget the above.

Tony

Thnaks guys, a CCD would be nice from Santa, but I don't think that gonna happen this time round

Tony, Do post up something from the 1100D if skies are clear soon

Keith..

If you already have Canon lenses you'll probably want to stay with Canon. They also seem to be the most "astro-mod friendly" cameras. Canon and Nikon have the best selection of mid and high-end lenses. But if you'd like an inexpensive APS-C sized DSLR which happens to have good low-light performance, have a look at the Pentax KX. Its Sony sensor seems to have equivalent or slightly better high ISO noise performance than unmodified Canon and Nikon cameras in the under 1000€ price range:

www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/page26.asp

I've been very happy with it, especially when coupled with an old 50mm F1.4 "kit lens". A dedicated and cooled CCD is a better option for telescopic purposes. I have noticed that its low light performance is slightly better on cold winter night but this summer photo didn't come out too bad.

This photo of Cygnus gives you an idea where magnitude is limited by noise. This (~10 second unguided exposure) shows quite a bit more than my eyes do and I don't know of many convenient places where light pollution wouldn't blot out more stars than this DSLR's grain noise does.

I have no idea what Ricoh intends to do with Pentax, but I hope they continue up the low-end camera innovations that both companies are known for. If money were no object and I were looking for wide-field, low-noise DSLR. I might get a digital Hasselblad, but if someone only gave me €20,000 to spend on a wide-field low-light camera. I'd have a look at this:

Pentax Medium format Digital SLR