Head-to-head · updated November 9, 2026
ZWO Seestar S30 vs ZWO Seestar S50
Short answer: the S50 ($549) is the better telescope, with 50 mm of aperture against 30 mm. The S30 ($399) is the better first purchase if budget and weight decide, and it adds a wide-angle camera. Both were sold out on ZWO's US store on November 9, 2026, so check retailers or the newer S30 Pro.
ZWO Seestar S30
8.3Good · out of 10- 30 mm apochromatic triplet and 150 mm focal length in a 1.65 kg body, according to ZWO
- Second wide-angle camera with a 23.2° field
- Duo-band light pollution filter built in
Better on 4 of 16 lines · $399 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 4 of 16 lines · $549 on November 9, 2026
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Spec by spec
| Criterion | Seestar S30 | Seestar S50 |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated score | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Checked price | $399 | $549 |
| Aperture | 30 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 150 mm (f/5) | 250 mm (f/5) |
| Main sensor | Sony IMX662 | Sony IMX462 (1/2.8") |
| Native resolution | 2.1 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Image scale | 4.02″ per pixel | 2.42″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 2.46° (telephoto) | 0.73° × 1.29° |
| Wide-angle camera | Yes | No |
| Light pollution filter | Built in | Built in |
| Equatorial mode | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.65 kg (3.6 lb) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| 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
Both share the same 1080 × 1920 resolution, the same duo-band filter and the same app. The difference is the lens: the S50 collects almost three times as much light and has a 250 mm focal length against 150 mm, so targets look bigger and cleaner after the same stacking time.
The S30 answers with a 2.46° field that frames large targets whole, a second 23.2° camera, and 1.65 kg against 2.5 kg. For a teenager, a traveler or someone not yet sure about the hobby, those are real arguments.
Our pick for each kind of buyer
ZWO Seestar S30
Seestar S30 costs $150 less than the Seestar S50, at prices checked on November 9, 2026.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 scores 8.6/10 against 8.3/10 with our published formula.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 has 50 mm of aperture against 30 mm and an image scale of 2.42″ per pixel against 4.02″: smaller numbers mean more detail on Jupiter and Saturn.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S30
Seestar S30 weighs 1.65 kg (3.6 lb) against 2.5 kg for the Seestar S50, tripod excluded.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S30
Seestar S30 adds a second wide-angle camera; the Seestar S50 only has its telescope camera.
Read the review →Questions
Which is better, the Seestar S30 or the Seestar S50?
With our published overall formula, the Seestar S50 scores higher (8.6 vs 8.3/10). The best pick still depends on what you observe: see the picks by profile on this page.
What is the price difference between the Seestar S30 and the Seestar S50?
On November 9, 2026, the Seestar S30 was $399 at the Seestar US store and the Seestar S50 $549 at the Seestar US store. The Seestar S30 was shown as sold out there. The Seestar S50 was shown as sold out there.
Which has more aperture?
The Seestar S50 has 50 mm against 30 mm, so it collects about 2.8 times more light.
Which one is lighter?
The Seestar S30: 1.65 kg against 2.5 kg, tripod excluded, as stated by the makers.