The Seestar S50 Pro vs S30 ProNow that both Pro models are available, this is the logical choice within the Seestar line. They share the same app, the same operation, and the same philosophy: fully automatic astrophotography without technical prior knowledge. The difference lies in the optics, the size, and the price. The Seestar S30 Pro The (€699) is the compact entry-level model. Seestar S50 Pro (€999) the top model. In this comparison, we put them side by side fairly, based on our own experience with the S30 Pro and the first international reviews of the S50 Pro.
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The main differences at a glance
| Seestar S30 Pro | Seestar S50 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 30 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 160 mm | 260 mm |
| Light output | Basis | Almost three times as much light |
| Sensor (camera) | Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP | OmniVision OS08B10, 8.3 MP |
| Camera | 4K, with wide-angle camera | Dual 4K camera (telephoto and wide-angle) |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh | 10,000 mAh, up to about 9 hours |
| Format | Very compact, soft carrying case | Larger and heavier, sturdy case with tripod |
| Price | €699 | €999 |
Which sensor is in the S50 Pro?
Strikingly, ZWO does not mention the sensor model of the S50 Pro anywhere on its own product page. The specifications only mention a 1/1.2-inch sensor with 8.3 megapixels and 2.9-micrometer pixels. These are the exact same values as the Sony IMX585 in the S30 Pro, but it is a different chip: after inquiry by international reviewers, ZWO confirmed that the telephoto camera uses the OmniVision OS08B10. Behind the wide-angle lens is a Sony IMX586. Reviewers who tested both models saw no practical performance difference between the two sensors; the difference in image quality comes from the optics, not the chip.
Optics: 50 mm captures almost three times as much light
The main difference is the aperture: 30 mm versus 50 mm. That may seem like a small difference, but light yield increases with the lens’s surface area. The S50 Pro therefore captures almost three times as much light as the S30 Pro. In practice, this means the same subject in less time, or much more detail in the same session. The longer brandfocal length of 260 mm also gives smaller objects such as globular clusters and compact nebulae more image detail, whereas the S30 Pro with its 160 mm shows a wider field of view.
That does not suddenly make the S30 Pro outdated. Its quadruplet APO optics deliver a sharp, color-pure image, and its wide field of view is well-suited for large objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy. In our Seestar S30 Pro review read what he shows in practice.
Size and battery: travel convenience versus endurance
The S30 Pro fits into a backpack, case and all, and is ready to go anywhere in under a minute. The S50 Pro is noticeably larger and heavier and comes in a sturdy case with a tripod. On the other hand, the S50 Pro’s battery (10,000 mAh, up to about 9 hours) lasts through a full night of shooting, whereas the S30 Pro’s 6,000 mAh battery will likely require a power bank. If you mainly work from your backyard, you’ll hardly notice the weight; if you take the telescope with you on trips, you’ll feel the difference right away.
Who is which Seestar for?
- ✓ Choose the S30 Pro when getting into astrophotography, looking for a compact device for on the go, or mainly want to capture large, wide objects.
- ✓ Choose the S50 Pro if image quality and detail are paramount, you run long sessions and the extra cost of €300 fits within your budget.
- ✗ The S50 Pro is less logical if portability is your main criterion.
- The S30 Pro is less logical if you mainly want to photograph small deep-sky objects with maximum detail.
Read more
All specifications of the top model can be found in the Seestar S50 Pro. If you are also unsure about a DWARF, read on Seestar S50 Pro vs DWARF 3 or, for the smaller model, DWARF 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro. If you want to go one step further than the S50 Pro, then the comparison with the 90 mm DWARF Draco is in order. Seestar S50 Pro vs DWARF Draco. You can read about our practical experience with the entry-level model in the S30 Pro review. The full range can be found on our page with smart telescopes.
