DeepSkyCamera Pro

Image stacking lets you take multiple photos of the same sky object and combines them into one cleaner, less grainy final image. This is especially useful for faint targets like the Orion Nebula, turning a fuzzy blob into a clear shot.

Yes, the app gives you full manual control over exposure time, allowing long exposures up to 30 seconds or more. This is a feature that standard camera apps don't offer, letting you capture faint stars and deep-sky details that slowly paint onto the screen.

Lag is a known issue, especially on devices like the Pixel 7, when switching modes or after taking several shots. Try closing other apps to free up memory, and give the app a moment after each tap—it often catches up after a brief delay.

The app has a steep learning curve, but success comes from manually adjusting the focus slider and exposure time. Start on a clear night, use the manual focus to sharpen the moon's craters, and set your exposure to avoid overexposing the bright lunar surface.

Night Sight is great for quick, automatic astrophotography shots, but DeepSkyCamera Pro offers far deeper manual controls like adjustable long exposures and image stacking. The trade-off is that Night Sight is simpler and more reliable, while DeepSkyCamera Pro requires patience to unlock its superior results.