Head-to-head · updated November 9, 2026
Vaonis Vespera II vs ZWO Seestar S50
Short answer: buy the Seestar S50 ($549) if you want the most telescope per dollar: same 50 mm aperture, a built-in dual-band filter and Equatorial Mode for about a third of the price. The Vespera II ($1,590 early-bird, $1,690 list) answers with an 8.3 MP sensor against 2.1 MP, a 3-year warranty, a 30-day free trial and Vaonis's design.
Vaonis Vespera II
8.2Good · out of 10- Sony IMX585 sensor behind a 50 mm apochromatic quadruplet, 8.3 MP native and 24 MP with the CovalENS mosaic mode
- One touch button and automatic initialization from the Singularity app
- Vaonis lists a 3-year warranty and IP43 weather protection
Better on 4 of 18 lines · $1,590 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 6 of 18 lines · $549 on November 9, 2026
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Spec by spec
| Criterion | Vespera II | Seestar S50 |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated score | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Checked price | $1,590 | $549 |
| Aperture | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal length | 250 mm (f/5) | 250 mm (f/5) |
| Main sensor | Sony IMX585 (1/1.2") | Sony IMX462 (1/2.8") |
| Native resolution | 8.3 MP | 2.1 MP |
| Image scale | 2.39″ per pixel | 2.42″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 2.5° × 1.4° | 0.73° × 1.29° |
| Wide-angle camera | No | No |
| Light pollution filter | Sold separately | Built in |
| Equatorial mode | No (alt-az) | Yes |
| Battery life | 4 h | Not stated |
| Weight | 5 kg (11 lb) | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Storage | 28 GB | 64 GB |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Tripod in the box | No | Not stated |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
★ marks the better figure on that line (10 lines can be compared). Specs as published by the makers; prices checked on November 9, 2026.
What the numbers mean
Optically they are close: 50 mm and 250 mm of focal length for both, and an image scale of about 2.4″ per pixel. The Vespera II's Sony IMX585 gives four times the pixels on a 2.5° × 1.4° field, and its CovalENS mosaics reach 24 MP.
The S50 is lighter (2.5 kg against 5 kg stated by Vaonis), has the filter built in (optional on the Vespera II) and supports Equatorial Mode. The Vespera II has a stated 4-hour battery; ZWO does not state one for the S50.
Our pick for each kind of buyer
ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 costs $1,041 less than the Vespera II, at prices checked on November 9, 2026.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 scores 8.6/10 against 8.2/10 with our published formula.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 has the same aperture and an image scale of 2.42″ per pixel against 2.39″: smaller numbers mean more detail on Jupiter and Saturn.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 weighs 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) against 5 kg for the Vespera II, tripod excluded.
Read the review →ZWO Seestar S50
Seestar S50 has a light pollution filter built in; on the Vespera II it is sold separately. That filter matters most for emission nebulae under bright suburban skies.
Read the review →Questions
Which is better, the Vespera II or the Seestar S50?
With our published overall formula, the Seestar S50 scores higher (8.6 vs 8.2/10). The best pick still depends on what you observe: see the picks by profile on this page.
What is the price difference between the Vespera II and the Seestar S50?
On November 9, 2026, the Vespera II was $1,590 at the Vaonis 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?
Both have 50 mm of aperture.
Which one is lighter?
The Seestar S50: 2.5 kg against 5 kg, tripod excluded, as stated by the makers.