ZWO SEESTAR S50
The versatile all-rounder — powerful enough for challenging targets, light enough to take anywhere.
DEEP SKY
Galaxies, nebulas, star clusters, and deep space objects
SOLAR SYSTEM
Sun, Moon, planets, and solar system objects
The ZWO SeeStar S50 is the sweet spot in the smart telescope market — a 50mm f/5 all-in-one instrument that punches well above its size. With a built-in dual-band light pollution filter, automated polar alignment, and a sophisticated stacking engine, the S50 consistently delivers publication-worthy results of nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters straight from the app. Its EQ mode and WiFi Station integration make it equally at home on a backyard patio or a remote dark sky site.
Specifications
Aperture50mm f/5
Focal Length250mm
SensorSony IMX462 (color)
Field of View1.7° × 1.3°
Weight2.5 kg
FilterBuilt-in dual-band (Ha/OIII)
PowerUSB-C, 5V/3A
ConnectivityWiFi (AP & Station mode)
FeaturesBuilt-in dew heater, EQ mode, mosaic, plan mode
Pricing
New
~$499 USD
Used
~$350–$420 USD (eBay, Astrobin classifieds)
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- +Best for mid-size deep sky objects — nebulas and galaxies look excellent
- +Mosaics make it easy to cover larger targets across multiple frames
- +Plan mode enables fully unattended overnight imaging sessions
- +Very capable on the Sun and Moon — stunning solar detail
- +Excellent terrestrial photography, including auto-tracking video
- +Exceptional price point for what you get
- +EQ mode significantly improves long-exposure tracking accuracy
- +WiFi Station mode lets you control it from the house without being outside
✗ Cons
- −Hard to find in stock — high demand, limited availability
- −Older Sony IMX462 sensor — due for an update
- −Slightly larger and heavier than the S30, though still remarkably portable
- −WiFi Station mode can be finicky to set up and occasionally drops
- −Not usable for planets — focal length too short for planetary detail
- −Stacking solution is good but not best-in-class compared to dedicated software