SmartScopeVerdict

Seestar (ZWO) · Out of stock at official store · launched 2024

Seestar S30 review: specs, price and verdict

The cheapest Seestar: 30 mm, 1.65 kg, a wide 2.13° × 1.20° field and a 1080p sensor.

Out of stock at the official store when we checked (11 Nov 2026).

  • 30 mmaperture
  • 2.13° × 1.20°field of view
  • 3.99″per pixel
  • 1.65 kgweight
  • 6 hbattery

Our verdict

Good value at $399, but the S30 Pro fixes its two weak points (sensor and optics) for $300 more.

Best for: A first smart telescope on the tightest budget, if you can find stock.

Pros

  • Lowest price of any Seestar ($399)
  • 1.65 kg with case-friendly size
  • Wider field than the S50
  • Second wide-angle camera

Cons

  • 2.1 MP sensor
  • 30 mm gathers 36 % of the S50's light
  • Out of stock at seestar.com

What fits in the field of view

The S30 telephoto camera frames 2.13° × 1.20° of sky. Below, its frame (gold) is drawn to scale over three popular targets.

S30Full Moon · frame 2.4° wide
S30Orion Nebula (M42) · frame 2.4° wide
S30Andromeda Galaxy (M31) · frame 3.6° wide
Field of view of the Seestar S30 drawn to scale over the Moon, the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy.
ObjectWith the S30
Full MoonFits (24% of the frame width)
Andromeda Galaxy (M31)Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames)
Orion Nebula (M42)Fits (52% of the frame width)
Pleiades (M45)Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames)
North America NebulaNeeds a mosaic (about 2×2 frames)
Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)Fits (8% of the frame width)
Ring Nebula (M57)Fits, but small: about 21 px across
JupiterFits, but small: about 11 px across

Object sizes are approximate apparent sizes. Pixel counts use an image scale of 3.99″ per pixel. Try any combination in the field of view comparator.

Full specifications

Aperture30 mm
Focal length150 mm (f/5)
Optics3-element apochromatic refractor (ED glass)
SensorSony IMX662 · 2.1 MP
Field of view (telephoto)2.13° × 1.20°
Image scale3.99″ per pixel
Wide-angle camera23.2° wide-angle camera (1080p)
Weight1.65 kg
Battery6 h · 6,000 mAh
Storage64 GB
EQ modeYes
FiltersBuilt-in light-pollution filter; magnetic solar filter included
Dew controlNot confirmed
Tripod includedYes
EyepieceNo
Collimation neededNo

Retailers list 2.46° (diagonal) telephoto, 23.2° wide-angle.

How it compares

Aperture of every smart telescope we track (mm) Origin Mark II 152 mm eQuinox 2 114 mm eVscope 2 114 mm Odyssey 85 mm Odyssey Pro 85 mm S50 50 mm S50 Pro 50 mm Vespera II 50 mm Vespera 3 50 mm Vespera Pro 2 50 mm DWARF 3 35 mm S30 30 mm S30 Pro 30 mm DWARF mini 30 mm
Aperture of every smart telescope we track (mm). Data: manufacturer specs (see sources).
Weight of the main unit (kg, lighter is better) DWARF mini 0.84 kg DWARF 3 1.3 kg S30 1.65 kg S30 Pro 1.65 kg S50 2.5 kg S50 Pro 2.8 kg Odyssey 4 kg Odyssey Pro 4 kg Vespera II 5 kg Vespera 3 5 kg Vespera Pro 2 5 kg eQuinox 2 7 kg eVscope 2 7 kg Origin Mark II 12.5 kg
Weight of the main unit (kg, lighter is better). Data: manufacturer specs (see sources).

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 11 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. See EQ mode and wedges explained.

Comparisons

Other Seestar (ZWO) models

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Seestar S30 cost?

$399 on seestar.com but out of stock; some US dealers still list it at $399.

Can the Seestar S30 photograph the Andromeda Galaxy in one frame?

Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames). Its telephoto field is 2.13° × 1.20° and Andromeda spans about 3.2° × 1°.

Does the Seestar S30 have EQ mode?

Yes.

Does the full Moon fit in the Seestar S30's field of view?

Yes. The Moon is about 0.52° across and the field is 2.13° × 1.20°.

Sources

Specs and prices checked on 11 Nov 2026.