What it does
SharpCap combines astronomy-camera capture with image calibration, live stacking, sharpening and enhancement.
Set the camera and exposure controls, then capture images or let aligned, derotated frames build a live stack. Still outputs include PNG, FITS, TIFF and JPG; video capture offers AVI, SER, WMV and ADV. Capture filenames are unique and configurable, with the camera settings saved alongside each file. The mini-histogram display stretch changes the preview without changing saved data. Basic capture remains free, while dark subtraction, flat correction and other listed processing tools require Pro. The Pro FAQ warns that trying Pro features on a real camera without a licence disables saving for that session. Check the supported camera model and SDK as well as the software edition.
Strengths
- Aligned and derotated live stacking
- Calibration alongside image capture
Watch out for
- Listed image-processing corrections require Pro
Best for
- Live astronomical image stacking and calibration
Sources
- SharpCap – Lunar, Planetary, Solar and Deep Sky Imaging (Oct 26, 2026)
- SharpCap display stretch and camera compatibility (Oct 26, 2026)
- SharpCap Pro FAQ: free use and evaluation saving (Oct 26, 2026)