Seestar (ZWO) · Current model
Seestar S30 Pro review: specs, price and verdict
Same 1.65 kg body as the S30 with a 4K IMX585 sensor, quadruplet optics and a huge 3.99° × 2.24° field.
- 30 mmaperture
- 3.99° × 2.24°field of view
- 3.74″per pixel
- 1.65 kgweight
- 6 hbattery
Our verdict
The best value smart telescope right now: big sensor, wide field and true portability for under $700.
Best for: Travel, wide nebulae and Milky Way shots on a mid budget.
Pros
- Widest telephoto field of any smart telescope here (3.99° × 2.24°)
- 4K IMX585 sensor with 4× the area of the S30's
- 1.65 kg: the lightest Seestar
- 63° 4K wide-angle camera
- 128 GB storage
Cons
- 30 mm aperture: faint galaxies take longer than on a 50 mm
- Coarse 3.74″/px image scale: small galaxies stay small
- EQ mode needs an extra head
What fits in the field of view
The S30 Pro telephoto camera frames 3.99° × 2.24° of sky. Below, its frame (gold) is drawn to scale over three popular targets.
| Object | With the S30 Pro |
|---|---|
| Full Moon | Fits (13% of the frame width) |
| Andromeda Galaxy (M31) | Fits (80% of the frame width) |
| Orion Nebula (M42) | Fits (28% of the frame width) |
| Pleiades (M45) | Fits (45% of the frame width) |
| North America Nebula | Fits (50% of the frame width) |
| Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) | Fits, but small: about 173 px across |
| Ring Nebula (M57) | Fits, but small: about 22 px across |
| Jupiter | Fits, but small: about 12 px across |
Object sizes are approximate apparent sizes. Pixel counts use an image scale of 3.74″ per pixel. Try any combination in the field of view comparator.
Full specifications
| Aperture | 30 mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 160 mm (f/5.3) |
| Optics | 4-element apochromatic refractor (ED glass) |
| Sensor | Sony IMX585 (1/1.2-inch) · 8.3 MP |
| Field of view (telephoto) | 3.99° × 2.24° |
| Image scale | 3.74″ per pixel |
| Wide-angle camera | 63° wide-angle camera (IMX586, 8.3 MP) |
| Weight | 1.65 kg |
| Battery | 6 h · 6,000 mAh |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| EQ mode | Yes, with a compatible head such as the TH10 (60 s subs only in EQ mode) |
| Filters | UV/IR-cut, duo-band (OIII 30 nm / Hα 20 nm), dark field filter; solar filter included |
| Dew control | Active anti-dew control |
| Tripod included | Yes |
| Eyepiece | No |
| Collimation needed | No |
Official: 4.6° (diagonal) telephoto, 63° wide-angle.
How it compares
Exposure length in alt-az mode
Alt-az tracking rotates the field slowly. With this field and image scale, the frame corner smears by one pixel after about 6 seconds (target due south at 45° altitude, observer at 40° latitude). That is why smart telescopes stack many short exposures; EQ mode removes the limit: Yes, with a compatible head such as the TH10 (60 s subs only in EQ mode). See EQ mode and wedges explained.
Comparisons
Other Seestar (ZWO) models
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Seestar S30 Pro cost?
$699 list; $664 on seestar.com on 11 Nov 2026 (Black Friday sale, 10–30 Nov).
Can the Seestar S30 Pro photograph the Andromeda Galaxy in one frame?
Fits (80% of the frame width). Its telephoto field is 3.99° × 2.24° and Andromeda spans about 3.2° × 1°.
Does the Seestar S30 Pro have EQ mode?
Yes, with a compatible head such as the TH10 (60 s subs only in EQ mode).
Does the full Moon fit in the Seestar S30 Pro's field of view?
Yes. The Moon is about 0.52° across and the field is 3.99° × 2.24°.
Sources
Specs and prices checked on 11 Nov 2026.