Smart Telescope Comparison Table

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This table groups key features by type to help you compare the Dwarf 3, Seestar S30/S50, and Vaonis Vespera models at a glance. All are beginner-friendly, fully automated, and compatible with mobile apps.

FEATURE
Dwarf 3
Dwarf 3
Seestar S30
Seestar S30
Seestar S50
Seestar S50
Vespera II
Vespera II
Vespera Pro
Vespera Pro
OPTICAL SPECIFICATIONS
APERTURE 35mm 30mm 50mm 50mm 50mm
FOCAL LENGTH 150mm (Tele) / 4.8mm (Wide) 150mm 250mm 250mm 250mm
SENSOR Sony IMX678 Sony IMX662 Sony IMX462 Sony IMX585 Sony IMX676
IMAGE RESOLUTION 1920x1080 (Wide)
3840×2160 (Tele)
1920×1080 (Wide)
1080x1920 (Tele)
1920×1080 3840×2160 3536×3536
IMAGE FORMATS JPEG, FITS, RAW, MP4 JPEG, FITS, RAW, MP4 JPEG, FITS, RAW, MP4 JPEG, FITS, TIFF JPEG, FITS, TIFF
MAX EXPOSURE TIME Up to 60s (Tele)
90s (Wide)
Up to 60s Up to 60s Up to 30s Up to 30s
SHOOTING MODES Photo, Video, Astro, Pano, Burst, Timelapse Photo, Video, Timelapse Photo, Video, Timelapse Auto Stack Only Auto Stack, High-Res Mosaic
VIDEO CAPABILITY Yes (4K @ 30fps, 1080@60fps) Yes Yes No No
MOUNT & HARDWARE
MOUNT TYPE Alt-Az & EQ Alt-Az & EQ Alt-Az & EQ Alt-Az Alt-Az
TRIPOD Not included (1/4") Included (3/8") Included (3/8") Not included Included
FILTERS (BUILT-IN OR INCLUDED) Solar, Dual-lens (internal) Solar, Dark, UV/IR Cut, Light pollution Solar, Dark, UV/IR Cut, Light pollution Field Corrector (Built-in), Light Pollution (optional) Field Corrector (Built-in), Light Pollution, Dual Band (optional)
POLAR ALIGNMENT (EQ) Required for EQ use Required for EQ use Required for EQ use N/A N/A
APP & COMPATIBILITY
APP NAME DwarfLab Seestar Seestar Singularity Singularity
IOS SUPPORT iOS 12+ iOS 12+ iOS 12+ iOS 14+ iOS 14+
ANDROID SUPPORT Android 8+ Android 8+ Android 8+ Android 10+ Android 10+
OTA UPDATES Yes, frequent Yes, frequent Yes, frequent Yes Yes
GENERAL & POWER
BATTERY LIFE ~4–6 hours ~6 hours ~6 hours ~4 hours 11 hours
STORAGE 128GB 64GB 64GB 25GB 225GB
WEIGHT ~1.3kg (body only) ~1.65kg (with tripod) ~3kg (with tripod) ~5.0kg ~5.0kg
SRP (APPROX) £519 £419 £539 £1,398 £2,499
ACCESSORIES Solar filter included, tripod optional All included All included Filters, hygrometer, tripod optional Adjustable tripod, hygrometer included, filters optional

FAQ

The Seestar S50 has a larger 50mm aperture and longer focal length, allowing it to capture more light and detail — ideal for deep-sky objects. The S30 is more compact, travel-friendly, and still capable of high-quality imaging for families or first-time users.

The Dwarf 3 includes both wide-angle and telephoto lenses, plus 4K video recording, making it highly versatile for both astronomy and daytime use. The Seestar S30 features a single APO lens, built-in EQ tracking, and includes multiple filters for enhanced sky imaging. Both support video and are well-suited for astrophotography — the best choice depends on whether you prefer multi-use flexibility or a more dedicated sky setup.

Yes. The Dwarf 3 is particularly good for daytime use thanks to its wide-angle lens and 4K video, supporting landscapes, wildlife, and solar imaging. The Seestar S30 and S50 also support solar observation and timelapse. Vaonis models are more night-focused but can capture the Sun with a solar filter.

All the models compared — Dwarf 3, Seestar S30/S50, and both Vespera telescopes — can perform well in city or suburban skies. The Dwarf 3 and Seestar models include built-in filters, while the Vespera range supports optional add-ons like light pollution or dual-band filters. The S50 and Vespera Pro offer especially strong results for nebulae under moderate light pollution, but all five are suitable with the right settings.

Both models use the same Singularity app, but the Vespera Pro features a higher-resolution sensor (3536×3536), advanced mosaic stacking, and more internal storage and longer battery life — making it better suited for astrophotographers wanting large-field data and fine detail throughout the night.

While all five models can image planets like Jupiter or Saturn, results are limited by sensor size and focal length. You’ll see the planets as small discs, with basic features, but deep-sky objects (like galaxies and nebulae) are where these telescopes excel.

The Seestar S30, Seestar S50, and Vespera Pro all include tripods as standard. The Dwarf 3 and Vespera (standard) do not — but both support common tripod fittings. The Dwarf 3 uses a ¼-inch thread, compatible with most camera tripods, while the Vespera uses a 3/8-16 thread. A stable platform is essential for astrophotography, so choosing the right tripod or mount matters.

Yes. All models auto-align, track objects, and capture stacked images automatically. With a smartphone or tablet, you can view, capture, and save images — no astronomy background needed.

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