Head-to-head · updated November 9, 2026
DWARFLAB DWARF 3 vs ZWO Seestar S50
Short answer: at the same $549, buy the DWARF 3 if you want the better camera (8 MP Sony IMX678), a wide camera, IP54 sealing, a stated 5.5-hour battery and 1.35 kg instead of 2.5 kg; it was also the one in stock when we checked. Buy the Seestar S50 if aperture comes first: 50 mm against 35 mm and a finer image scale pull more out of small, faint targets.
DWARFLAB DWARF 3
8.6Very good · out of 10- Telephoto with a Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor (737 mm equivalent) plus a 45 mm-equivalent wide camera
- Three filters built in, including a dual-narrowband filter for city skies
- Up to 60 s exposures, Equatorial Mount Mode and IP54 protection, at 1.35 kg
Better on 5 of 19 lines · $549 on November 9, 2026
ZWO Seestar S50
8.6Very good · out of 10- 50 mm apochromatic triplet with ED glass and a 250 mm focal length, according to ZWO
- Duo-band light pollution filter built in, switched from the app
- Alt-azimuth mount that also supports Equatorial Mode
Better on 3 of 19 lines · $549 on November 9, 2026
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Spec by spec
| Criterion | DWARF 3 | Seestar S50 |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated score | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Checked price | $549 | $549 |
| Aperture | 35 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 150 mm (f/4.3) | 250 mm (f/5) |
| Main sensor | Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 (1/1.8") | Sony IMX462 (1/2.8") |
| Native resolution | 8 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Image scale | 2.75″ per pixel | 2.42″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 3.38° diagonal (telephoto) | 0.73° × 1.29° |
| Wide-angle camera | Yes | No |
| Light pollution filter | Built in | Built in |
| Equatorial mode | Yes | Yes |
| Longest exposure stated | 60 s | Not stated |
| Battery life | 5.5 h | Not stated |
| Weight | 1.35 kg (3 lb) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Tripod in the box | No | Not stated |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
★ marks the better figure on that line (8 lines can be compared). Specs as published by the makers; prices checked on November 9, 2026.
What the numbers mean
On aperture alone, the S50 collects about twice the light of the DWARF 3. On almost everything else, the DWARF 3 has more features: three built-in filters including a dual-narrowband, multi-night stacking, scheduled shoots, bird tracking and panoramas in the daytime.
One practical detail: the DWARF 3 box has no tripod (DWARFLAB sells one for $89). ZWO does not list the S50 box contents in text on its US page.
Our pick for each kind of buyer
ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 has 50 mm of aperture against 35 mm and an image scale of 2.42″ per pixel against 2.75″: smaller numbers mean more detail on Jupiter and Saturn.
Read the review →DWARFLAB DWARF 3
DWARF 3 weighs 1.35 kg (3 lb) against 2.5 kg for the Seestar S50, tripod excluded.
Read the review →DWARFLAB DWARF 3
DWARF 3 adds a second wide-angle camera; the Seestar S50 only has its telescope camera.
Read the review →Questions
Which is better, the DWARF 3 or the Seestar S50?
Both score 8.6/10 with our overall formula, so the choice comes down to what you observe: see the picks by profile on this page.
What is the price difference between the DWARF 3 and the Seestar S50?
On November 9, 2026, the DWARF 3 was $549 at the DWARFLAB US store and the Seestar S50 $549 at the Seestar US store. The Seestar S50 was shown as sold out there.
Which has more aperture?
The Seestar S50 has 50 mm against 35 mm, so it collects about 2.0 times more light.
Which one is lighter?
The DWARF 3: 1.35 kg against 2.5 kg, tripod excluded, as stated by the makers.