9 Best Telescopes for Planetary Astrophotography (November 2026)

The best telescopes for planetary astrophotography include the Celestron StarSense Explorer 150mm App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian for guided visual observing, the MEEZAA Telescope for phone snapshots, and the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian Smartphone for app-guided beginners.

On this page (3 sections)

1. Which telescopes are best for planetary astrophotography?
2. What should you check before choosing a planetary imaging telescope?
3. Which telescope should you choose for planets?

The best telescope for astrophotography of planets in this group is the Celestron NexStar 8SE, because its 8-inch optics pair with computerized tracking. If you want a camera-ready refractor, look at the SVBONY SV550 or SV503; if you want app-based deep-sky capture, the Seestar S30 Pro has a different purpose.

Planetary imaging has different needs from photographing galaxies and nebulae. Planets are small in the frame, so focal length, steady focus and keeping the target centered matter more than a wide field of view.

We compared the listed optics, mounts and imaging features against those needs. Our score weighs specs and features against what you're shopping for.

For a broader view of equipment choices, see our guide to the best telescope for astrophotography. For lunar images, our best telescope for moon photography guide focuses on a nearby target with different framing needs.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for guided visual observing

   Celestron StarSense Explorer 150mm App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for phone snapshots

   MEEZAA Telescope

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for app-guided beginners

   Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian Smartphone

   9.5/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope for Deep-Sky Beginners

   Best for manual equatorial tracking
   Check it
5. 5

   ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope

   Best for automated deep-sky imaging
   Check it
6. 6

   Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

   Best for tracked planetary imaging
   Check it
7. 7

   DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope

   Best for portable app imaging
   Check it
8. 8

   SVBONY SV550 AP0 Telescope

   Best for color-corrected refractor imaging
   Check it
9. 9

   SVBONY SV503 Telescope for Adults High Powered

   Best for precise refractor focusing
   Check it

Which telescopes are best for planetary astrophotography?

The NexStar 8SE is the clearest fit for close planetary imaging in this group, while the SVBONY refractors offer camera-oriented optics and the manual scopes suit visual observing with camera experiments. Match the telescope to how much tracking and setup you want to manage.

1

Celestron StarSense Explorer 150mm App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian: Best for guided visual observing

9.6/10Our score

• 150mm Newtonian reflector
• Smartphone sky guidance
• Manual tabletop Dobsonian base

A large reflector and StarSense app make this a capable visual scope for finding planets. Its manual tabletop base does not track a target for you during a camera exposure.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 150mm reflector
• StarSense sky guidance
• Includes 10mm and 25mm eyepieces

Cons

• Manual mount
• Tabletop base needs a stable support

The StarSense Explorer 150mm makes a strong visual observing choice for someone who also wants to learn the sky. Its app uses sky recognition to guide you toward targets, and the 150mm Newtonian reflector is described as suitable for views of Jupiter and Saturn.

The tabletop Dobsonian base is manual. That matters for imaging because the planet moves through the field of view, so you will need to recenter it while capturing images.

The supplied 10mm and 25mm eyepieces give you viewing options, and the smartphone dock supports sky guidance. For camera use, check that your intended camera and adapter fit the focuser.

Our guide to imaging Newtonian telescopes can help you compare camera-oriented reflector setups.

Choose this when locating planets and enjoying views through the eyepiece are the priority. It is less suited to someone who wants a tracking mount for longer capture sessions.

2

MEEZAA Telescope: Best for phone snapshots

9.6/10Our score

• 90mm refractor
• 800mm focal length
• Phone adapter and tripod included

This refractor includes a phone adapter and tripod, giving beginners a simple way to try planetary snapshots. Its manual altazimuth mount is not a tracking mount.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Phone adapter included
• 10mm and 25mm eyepieces
• Carry bag included

Cons

• Manual altazimuth mount
• No equatorial tracking

The MEEZAA refractor is the most direct pick here for a beginner who wants to try phone snapshots. If portability is also a priority, compare compact beginner telescopes.

It includes a phone adapter, tripod, 90mm aperture and 800mm focal length.

Its 10mm and 25mm eyepieces and 3x Barlow lens are included for viewing. The altazimuth mount is manual, so it does not automatically follow a planet as it moves across the sky.

A phone adapter can help you start with the camera you already own. Keep expectations practical: a phone image through an eyepiece depends on careful alignment and a steady telescope.

Choose this for accessible visual observing and occasional phone imaging. If tracking is central to your plans, consider a computerized option such as the NexStar 8SE.

3

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian Smartphone: Best for app-guided beginners

9.5/10Our score

• 114mm Newtonian reflector
• StarSense smartphone guidance
• Manual altazimuth mount

StarSense helps you locate a planet, while the 114mm reflector supports visual viewing. The included mount is manual, so camera users must account for target drift.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 114mm aperture
• Smartphone sky guidance
• Includes 2x Barlow lens

Cons

• Manual mount
• Not a motorized tracking setup

The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ combines a 114mm Newtonian reflector with smartphone sky guidance. Its 1000mm focal length gives it a longer optical path than several beginner models in this group.

StarSense helps locate planets, while the manual altazimuth mount supports ordinary visual use. Its included 2x Barlow can increase magnification for viewing, but it does not add motorized tracking.

This telescope fits beginners who want help finding targets and are curious about trying basic camera work. Check camera compatibility and the mount’s manual operation before expecting unattended tracking.

For a first imaging setup, the best beginner telescope for astrophotography guide can help you compare the learning curve and equipment needs.

4

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Telescope for Deep-Sky Beginners: Best for manual equatorial tracking

9.3/10Our score

• 130mm Newtonian reflector
• German equatorial mount
• Slow-motion controls

The equatorial mount and slow-motion controls offer a way to follow a target manually as it moves across the sky. This is a visual beginner telescope, not a complete motorized imaging rig.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 130mm reflector
• Equatorial mount
• Slow-motion controls

Cons

• Manual tracking
• Camera accessories may be needed

The AstroMaster 130EQ is the manual equatorial option in this list. Its 130mm Newtonian reflector gathers light for planetary viewing, and the mount’s slow-motion controls let you make small adjustments in right ascension and declination.

An equatorial mount can make it easier to follow the sky by adjusting one axis after alignment. This model is not computerized, so you still guide it by hand, and its included eyepieces are for observing rather than imaging.

Choose it if learning manual tracking is part of the appeal. If you want the mount to find and follow targets, move up to the NexStar 8SE.

5

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope: Best for automated deep-sky imaging

9.3/10Our score

• App-controlled smart telescope
• Automatic GoTo and tracking
• Designed for deep-sky imaging

Automatic targeting and app-based capture suit users who want a guided imaging workflow. ZWO describes it as designed for deep-sky objects and not intended for planetary observation.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Automatic GoTo and tracking
• App-controlled capture
• Portable 3.6 lb design

Cons

• Not intended for planetary observation
• 30mm objective

The Seestar S30 Pro is an app-controlled smart telescope with automatic GoTo targeting and tracking. Its small 30mm objective, 160mm focal length and imaging modes are aimed at deep-sky and wide-field work.

ZWO specifies that this model is not intended for planetary observation. That makes it a poor match for shoppers whose main goal is close-up images of Jupiter, Saturn or Mars, even though it can capture other celestial subjects.

Choose it for automated deep-sky imaging rather than planetary detail. If planets are your priority, select a telescope with suitable optics and a mount designed to keep the target centered.

6

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope: Best for tracked planetary imaging

9.3/10Our score

• 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics
• Computerized GoTo tracking
• SkyAlign setup

The 8-inch optics and computerized tracking make this the strongest fit here for detailed planetary capture. Plan for a camera and any adapters your imaging setup needs.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 8-inch aperture
• Computerized object selection and tracking
• SkyAlign setup

Cons

• Camera not included
• Altazimuth mount

The NexStar 8SE is the strongest planetary imaging candidate in this roundup. Its 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics provide more aperture than the smaller options, while the computerized mount can locate and track selected targets.

SkyAlign uses three bright stars or planets to align the system, and the hand control offers a database of more than 40,000 objects. The 2032mm focal length is a useful starting point for framing small targets, though planetary imaging still depends on camera choice, focus and conditions.

The mount is altazimuth, and the telescope does not include a camera. Plan the camera connection and any accessories you need before building an imaging setup.

Choose this if you want a large-aperture scope with automated target tracking. Our comparison of Schmidt-Cassegrain versus Newtonian telescopes explains the design tradeoffs.

7

DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope: Best for portable app imaging

9.1/10Our score

• App-controlled smart telescope
• Automatic tracking
• Dual imaging system

The compact Dwarf 3 uses an app and automatic tracking for imaging, with a telephoto lens for distant subjects. Its 35mm objective makes it a different tool from a large-aperture planetary scope.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Portable design
• Automatic tracking
• App-based image processing

Cons

• 35mm objective
• Camera and telescope functions are integrated

The Dwarf 3 is a compact, app-controlled imaging device with automatic tracking and a dual imaging system. Its telephoto lens is described for distant subjects, while its wide-angle lens handles Milky Way and star-trail scenes.

At 2.28kg, it is designed to travel easily, and image processing takes place through the dedicated app. Its 35mm objective and integrated camera system make it different from a larger telescope built around close planetary framing.

Choose it for portable, automated capture across a mix of targets. For a traditional optical setup with room to choose a separate camera, compare the SVBONY refractors below.

8

SVBONY SV550 AP0 Telescope: Best for color-corrected refractor imaging

9.0/10Our score

• 80mm triplet apochromatic refractor
• S-FPL51 ED glass
• Camera-compatible optical tube

The triplet APO design and camera compatibility make this optical tube a candidate for astrophotography. Its 480mm focal length is shorter than the long focal lengths commonly sought for close planetary framing.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Triplet APO optics
• Camera compatible
• 1:10 dual-speed focuser

Cons

• Optical tube only
• Shorter focal length for close planetary framing

The SVBONY SV550 is an 80mm triplet apochromatic refractor optical tube designed with camera use in mind. Its S-FPL51 ED glass and two correcting elements are intended to reduce color fringing, while a 1:10 dual-speed focuser supports fine focus adjustments.

Its 480mm focal length is relatively short for close planetary framing. You can explore camera and mount combinations, but this tube does not include the rest of a complete imaging setup.

Choose it if color correction and a camera-compatible refractor are priorities, especially for broader astrophotography targets. If your main goal is planets, compare its focal length and aperture with the NexStar 8SE before deciding.

See our guide to the best refractor telescope for astrophotography for more on refractor setups.

9

SVBONY SV503 Telescope for Adults High Powered: Best for precise refractor focusing

8.1/10Our score

• 102mm ED refractor
• 714mm focal length
• Dual-speed focuser and field rotator

The ED glass, dual-speed focuser and 360-degree field rotator give camera users useful adjustment features. It is an optical tube, so you will need a suitable mount and camera.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 102mm aperture
• Dual-speed focuser
• 360-degree field rotator

Cons

• Mount and camera not included
• No finderscope

The SV503 combines a 102mm ED refractor with a 714mm focal length, dual-speed focuser and 360-degree field rotator. These features give camera users fine focus control and a way to align a camera without rotating the tube.

The SV503 is an optical tube, so you need to pair it with a mount and camera. Its stated features cover astrophotography and planetary observation, but the shorter focal length than the NexStar 8SE makes it a less direct choice for tight planetary framing.

Choose it if you want a refractor tube with camera adjustments and room to select your own mount. A larger telescope may be a better fit if your priority is maximum close-up scale.

For another aperture comparison, see our guide to the best 8 inch telescope for astrophotography. Advanced users planning a fuller setup may also want our best telescope for advanced astronomers guide.

What should you check before choosing a planetary imaging telescope?

Start with the mount, camera connection and focal length, then consider aperture and how much setup you want to manage. A telescope that looks strong on paper may still need extra parts before it can capture images.

How does mount tracking affect planetary photos?

A tracking mount keeps the planet near the center of the view as Earth rotates. The NexStar 8SE provides computerized tracking, while the AstroMaster 130EQ and the Dobsonian options here require manual adjustments.

At higher magnification, a planet can drift out of view quickly. If your mount is manual, expect to recenter the target while capturing.

What do focal length and aperture change?

Focal length affects how large a distant object appears in the camera frame, while aperture gathers light and supports detail. The NexStar 8SE combines an 8-inch aperture with a 2032mm focal length; the SV550’s 480mm focal length suits broader framing better.

More magnification alone does not guarantee a sharper image. Focus, steady support and the atmosphere also affect the detail you can record.

Do you need a separate camera?

Most traditional telescopes in this list are optical scopes, so you need a camera and the right adapter for imaging. The MEEZAA includes a phone adapter for simple snapshots, while the SV550 and SV503 are camera-compatible optical tubes.

Smart telescopes such as the Dwarf 3 and Seestar combine optics, camera and app workflow. Check their stated imaging targets, since the Seestar S30 Pro is specifically not intended for planetary observation.

Which telescope should you choose for planets?

Choose the NexStar 8SE if you want the strongest combination of aperture and computerized tracking in this group. Pick the SV503 if you prefer a camera-ready refractor tube and want to supply your own mount and camera.

For learning the sky and casual viewing, StarSense models guide you to targets, while the MEEZAA adds a phone adapter for simple snapshots. Choose the Dwarf 3 or Seestar for automated imaging only when their stated target range fits your plans.

For other imaging goals, compare our guides to best telescope for moon photography and best telescope for astrophotography before choosing a setup.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for guided visual observing

   Celestron StarSense Explorer 150mm App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for phone snapshots

   MEEZAA Telescope

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for app-guided beginners

   Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Newtonian Smartphone

   9.5/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What telescope features matter most for planetary astrophotography?

A long focal length, enough aperture, steady focus and a mount that can keep the planet in view all help with planetary imaging. A camera and compatible connection are also needed.

A telescope made for visual observing can still show planets well, but adding a camera does not make its mount track automatically.

Can a Dobsonian telescope take planetary photos?

Yes, a Dobsonian can be used for planetary photos, especially when you capture short video clips and select sharp frames later. A manual Dobsonian needs frequent adjustments to keep a planet centered.

Check how a camera attaches and whether your observing setup can hold the target in frame.

Is a smart telescope a good choice for planets?

It depends on the model. The Seestar S30 Pro is described as designed for deep-sky objects and not intended for planetary observation, while other smart telescopes may offer different imaging targets.

Check the intended use and camera controls before choosing one for planet detail.

Do you need a tracking mount for planetary imaging?

Tracking helps keep a planet in the camera view, especially at higher magnification. A manual mount can work, but you will need to recenter the planet as it drifts.

The NexStar 8SE includes computerized tracking; the AstroMaster 130EQ has a manual equatorial mount with slow-motion controls.

Can you use a phone to photograph planets through a telescope?

Yes. A phone adapter can hold a phone camera over an eyepiece, as on the MEEZAA telescope.

Results depend on focus, steadiness, camera controls and atmospheric conditions.

For more options, see our guide to the best telescope with phone attachment.