As you might have guessed this is an impossible question to answer exactly, but recommendations can certainly be made.  One important factor is whether or not you already own a telescope.  If you do, and you plan on using that scope for imaging (and are not planning on upgrading when you get a CCD camera) you will want a camera that is well-matched to the scope.

One of the biggest factors is cost.  While there are many CCD cameras available, only a few models usually exist within a given price range.  Even if you have more money than you know what to do with, there are still important factors that might make a less expensive camera a better option.

Consider the trade-offs:

• More pixels means more information but it also means bigger image files.

• A larger chip will give a larger field of view but will cost considerably more.

• Smaller pixels mean better resolution but can be wasted on long focal length telescopes.

• Large pixels mean greater sensitivity but lower resolution, especially on short focal length telescopes.

• Anti-blooming cameras make for prettier pictures but decreased sensitivity.

Also consider weight and size, and what accessories a certain camera will require.  Some camera/color filter wheel/focal reducer combination will not reach focus on certain telescopes. 

A small chip with small pixels on a shorter focal length telescope offers certain advantages over a large chip on a large scope.  The field of view and resolution may be equal, but the smaller camera will be lighter, less expensive, have smaller files, and will likely have shorter exposure times since a shorter focal length telescope will often have a faster focal ratio than a longer focal length scope.

For much more information on choosing a CCD camera, visit the Equipment Basics section.

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