Head-to-head · updated November 9, 2026
ZWO Seestar S50 vs ZWO Seestar S50 Pro
Short answer: the S50 Pro ($999) if you can afford it: same 50 mm aperture, but a 4K 1/1.2-inch sensor, a 63° wide camera, a stated 9-hour battery, 128 GB and 60 s exposures in Equatorial Mode. The S50 ($549) stays the aperture bargain, when it is in stock (sold out at ZWO US 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 2 of 19 lines · $549 on November 9, 2026
ZWO Seestar S50 Pro
8.8Very good · out of 10- Two 4K cameras: a 50 mm telephoto with a 1/1.2-inch sensor and a 63° wide-angle camera
- Up to 9 hours on its 10,000 mAh battery, by ZWO laboratory figures
- Equatorial Mode with 60-second exposures, plus ASCOM Alpaca support for N.I.N.A.
Better on 7 of 19 lines · $999 on November 9, 2026
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Spec by spec
| Criterion | Seestar S50 | Seestar S50 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated score | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Checked price | $549 | $999 |
| Aperture | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 250 mm (f/5) | 260 mm (f/5.2) |
| Main sensor | Sony IMX462 (1/2.8") | OmniVision OS08B10 (1/1.2") |
| Native resolution | 2.1 MP | 8.3 MP |
| Image scale | 2.42″ per pixel | 2.3″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 0.73° × 1.29° | 2.8° (telephoto, portrait) |
| Wide-angle camera | No | Yes |
| Light pollution filter | Built in | Built in |
| Equatorial mode | Yes | Yes |
| Longest exposure stated | Not stated | 60 s |
| Battery life | Not stated | 9 h |
| Weight | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) | 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) |
| Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Tripod in the box | Not stated | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
★ marks the better figure on that line (9 lines can be compared). Specs as published by the makers; prices checked on November 9, 2026.
What the numbers mean
The lens grows slightly (250 to 260 mm, three to four elements with ED glass) and the sensor changes completely: from a Sony IMX462 at 1080 × 1920 to an OmniVision OS08B10 at 2160 × 3840. That is four times the pixels over a larger field, at a similar image scale (about 2.3″ against 2.4″ per pixel).
The rest is quality of life: ZWO states up to 9 hours on a 10,000 mAh battery (the S50 has 6,000 mAh, no runtime stated), doubles the storage and includes an adjustable tripod. The S50 Pro is 300 g heavier.
Our pick for each kind of buyer
ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 costs $450 less than the Seestar S50 Pro, at prices checked on November 9, 2026.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50 Pro
Seestar S50 Pro scores 8.8/10 against 8.6/10 with our published formula.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 weighs 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) against 2.8 kg for the Seestar S50 Pro, tripod excluded.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50 Pro
Seestar S50 Pro adds a second wide-angle camera; the Seestar S50 only has its telescope camera.
Read the review →Questions
Which is better, the Seestar S50 or the Seestar S50 Pro?
With our published overall formula, the Seestar S50 Pro scores higher (8.8 vs 8.6/10). 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 S50 and the Seestar S50 Pro?
On November 9, 2026, the Seestar S50 was $549 at the Seestar US store and the Seestar S50 Pro $999 at the Seestar US store. The Seestar S50 was shown as sold out there.
Which has more aperture?
Both have 50 mm of aperture.
Which one is lighter?
The Seestar S50: 2.5 kg against 2.8 kg, tripod excluded, as stated by the makers.