Astrophotography Newcomers Delight in ZWO Seestar S50 Review
The ZWO Seestar S50, a budget-friendly smart telescope, has been making waves in the stargazing community since its release in 2023. This portable device, weighing just 2.5 kg and boasting a compact design, is an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced stargazers alike.
The ZWO Seestar S50 stands out with its apochromatic triplet lens and high-resolution Sony IMX462 sensor, offering excellent imaging quality. Its 50mm (2-inch) aperture and 250mm focal length provide an impressive f/5 focal ratio, making it suitable for capturing sharp astrophotographs.
One of the key features of the ZWO Seestar S50 is its user-friendly design. Equipped with intuitive controls and a mobile app, users can easily navigate the telescope and make adjustments on the go. Additionally, the telescope comes with a solar filter for imaging the sun and built-in filters, including a duo-band light pollution filter.
The ZWO Seestar S50's portability is rated 9/10, making it an excellent choice for those who want to explore the night sky without the burden of heavy equipment. However, its relatively low resolution of 2MP means that it may not be the best choice for those seeking the highest image quality.
When compared to other smart telescopes, the ZWO Seestar S50 offers amazing value for money. While alternatives like the Unistellar eQuinox 2, eVscope 2, and other models such as the ZWO Seestar S30 and the Dwarf 3 are available, they are much more expensive and significantly larger and heavier.
In terms of size and weight, the ZWO Seestar S50 is compact and lightweight compared to the Unistellar models, which weigh nearly 20 lbs (9 kg). The S30 is even lighter (~1.65 kg) but offers less aperture and image detail. For users seeking a balance between portability and high-quality astrophotography, the Seestar S50 is a great choice, offering smart features like app control and live stacking.
In conclusion, the ZWO Seestar S50 is a mid-range smart telescope offering advanced imaging with a compact form factor. It competes primarily with the Dwarf 3 and outperforms smaller smart scopes like the Seestar S30. For users prioritizing imaging quality and aperture over portability, the Unistellar eQuinox 2 and eVscope 2 represent the premium end of the market. The ZWO Seestar S50's overall score is 7.9/10, making it a worthwhile investment for stargazers on a budget.
- The ZWO Seestar S50, a smart telescope with an apochromatic triplet lens and high-resolution Sony IMX462 sensor, is suitable for capturing sharp astrophotographs of deep sky objects.
- Its user-friendly design, equipped with intuitive controls and a mobile app, allows users to easily navigate the telescope and make adjustments on the go.
- The ZWO Seestar S50 offers excellent value for money in the space-and-astronomy gear market, outperforming other smart telescopes like the Unistellar eQuinox 2 and eVscope 2, despite being significantly smaller and lighter.
- The telescope's 50mm (2-inch) aperture and 250mm focal length provide an impressive f/5 focal ratio, making it an ideal choice for both stargazers seeking planetary imaging and astrophotography.
- Despite its excellent features, the S50's relatively low resolution of 2MP may not be the best choice for those seeking the highest image quality in their smart telescope reviews.
- For those wanting to combine portability and high-quality astrophotography, the ZWO Seestar S50 offers smart features like app control and live stacking, making it a great choice in the technology-driven science of astronomy.
