Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SharpCap VS Astro Pixel Processor

Compare SharpCap VS Astro Pixel Processor and see what are their differences

SharpCap logo SharpCap

SharpCap is an easy-to-use and powerful astronomy camera capture tool. It can be used with dedicated astronomy cameras, webcams and USB frame grabbers.

Astro Pixel Processor logo Astro Pixel Processor

Astro Pixel Processor is a deep sky image processing software.
  • SharpCap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-11
  • Astro Pixel Processor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-02

SharpCap features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    SharpCap offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it accessible for beginners while still providing advanced features for experienced users.
  • Real-Time Stacking
    The software allows for real-time stacking of images, which helps improve the signal-to-noise ratio for astrophotography, enhancing image quality significantly.
  • Polar Alignment Tool
    SharpCap includes a polar alignment tool that assists in aligning the telescope polar axis accurately, which is crucial for long-exposure astrophotography.
  • Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of cameras, including major brands and models, making it versatile for users with different equipment setups.
  • Live View and Recording
    The software provides live view and recording capabilities, enabling users to capture detailed astronomical events in real time.

Possible disadvantages of SharpCap

  • Windows Only
    SharpCap is only compatible with the Windows operating system, limiting users who prefer or use macOS or Linux systems.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, mastering all the advanced features and settings can take some time and experimentation for beginners.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of SharpCap has limited features compared to the Pro version, which requires a paid upgrade to access its full capabilities.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive during processing, requiring a relatively powerful computer to run smoothly, especially when handling large datasets.
  • Need for Additional Equipment
    For optimal use, SharpCap often requires additional equipment, such as guide cameras and mounts, which can add to the overall cost.

Astro Pixel Processor features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Astro Pixel Processor (APP) offers a user-friendly interface that is approachable for beginners, with straightforward workflows and tooltips that make complex processes easier to understand.
  • Comprehensive Features
    APP provides a wide range of features including stacking, calibration, normalization, and integration, which cater to a variety of astrophotography processing needs.
  • Advanced Algorithms
    The software uses advanced algorithms for tasks such as star alignment and background calibration, ensuring high-quality image processing results.
  • Multi-Band Support
    APP supports multi-channel processing, such as Ha, OIII, and SII data, with options for compositing and extracting different regions of interest from the data.
  • Regular Updates
    The software is actively maintained with regular updates and improvements based on user feedback, helping to keep it compatible with the latest technologies and astrophotography techniques.

Possible disadvantages of Astro Pixel Processor

  • Price
    Astro Pixel Processor is a paid software, which might be a barrier for hobbyists or beginners who are not willing to invest heavily in their software tools upfront.
  • Performance Demands
    The software can be resource-intensive, requiring a relatively powerful computer with substantial RAM and processing power for smooth operation, especially with large datasets.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly design, there is still a learning curve involved in mastering all of its features and settings, which might be challenging for complete beginners.
  • No Native MacOS Version
    As of the latest updates, there is no native MacOS version, requiring Mac users to run it through a compatibility layer, which could affect performance or user experience.
  • Limited Customization
    Some advanced users may find the customization options somewhat limited compared to more specialized or script-based tools, potentially constraining complex editing processes.

SharpCap videos

SharpCap Sensor Analysis - How to!

More videos:

  • Review - Using SharpCap to Capture the Planets
  • Review - Jupiter Captured with ZWO ASI224MC Camera and SharpCap (Tutorial)

Astro Pixel Processor videos

Astro Pixel Processor - basic image editing

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SharpCap and Astro Pixel Processor)
Time Tracking
69 69%
31% 31
Invoicing
72 72%
28% 28
Accounting
85 85%
15% 15
Photos & Graphics
31 31%
69% 69

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SharpCap and Astro Pixel Processor, you can also consider the following products

N.I.N.A. - NINA is a night time imaging and astronomy software.

PixInsight - A powerful deep sky stacking application for astrophotography.

Voyager Astrophotography - Voyager is a multi core optimized software, resilient, with advanced built-in algorithms and advanced A.I. driven automatation for astro photography.

RegiStax - Photography, Astronomy, Image, and Astrophotography

Siril - Siril is an astronomical image processing tool, able to convert, pre-process images, help aligning...

Nebulosity - Nebulosity is designed to be a powerful, but simple to use capture and processing application for Windows and Mac.