Vaonis · Current model · launched Apr 2026
Vaonis Vespera 3 review: specs, price and verdict
The 2026 replacement for the Vespera II: new quadruplet optics, 11-hour battery, 115 GB.
- 50 mmaperture
- 2.50° × 1.40°field of view
- 2.44″per pixel
- 5 kgweight
- 11 hbattery
Our verdict
A premium, well-finished 50 mm; on raw specs the S50 Pro is close at 40 % of the price.
Best for: Buyers who value build quality, warranty and a polished app over aperture per dollar.
Pros
- 11-hour battery
- New flat-field quadruplet with baffling
- Tripod and defog included
- 5-year warranty (Vaonis, 2026 range)
Cons
- $2,490 for 50 mm aperture
- 5 kg
- No wide-angle camera, no EQ mode
What fits in the field of view
The Vespera 3 telephoto camera frames 2.50° × 1.40° of sky. Below, its frame (gold) is drawn to scale over three popular targets.
| Object | With the Vespera 3 |
|---|---|
| Full Moon | Fits (21% of the frame width) |
| Andromeda Galaxy (M31) | Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames) |
| Orion Nebula (M42) | Fits (44% of the frame width) |
| Pleiades (M45) | Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames) |
| North America Nebula | Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames) |
| Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) | Fits, but small: about 266 px across |
| Ring Nebula (M57) | Fits, but small: about 34 px across |
| Jupiter | Fits, but small: about 18 px across |
Object sizes are approximate apparent sizes. Pixel counts use an image scale of 2.44″ per pixel. Try any combination in the field of view comparator.
Full specifications
| Aperture | 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 245 mm (f/4.9) |
| Optics | Three-group flat-field apochromatic quadruplet |
| Sensor | Sony IMX585 · 8.3 MP |
| Field of view (telephoto) | 2.50° × 1.40° |
| Image scale | 2.44″ per pixel |
| Wide-angle camera | No |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Battery | 11 h · 10,000 mAh |
| Storage | 115 GB |
| EQ mode | Not listed by Vaonis |
| Filters | External filters (dual band, light pollution, solar) sold separately |
| Dew control | Lens defog included |
| Tripod included | Yes |
| Eyepiece | No |
| Collimation needed | No |
Official: 2.5° × 1.4° native, 4.33° × 2.43° with CovalENS mosaic.
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; this model has no EQ mode, so it relies on short subs and software de-rotation. See EQ mode and wedges explained.
Comparisons
Other Vaonis models
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Vaonis Vespera 3 cost?
$2,490 (launch price, April 2026); aluminium tripod included.
Can the Vaonis Vespera 3 photograph the Andromeda Galaxy in one frame?
Needs a mosaic (about 2 frames). Its telephoto field is 2.50° × 1.40° and Andromeda spans about 3.2° × 1°.
Does the Vaonis Vespera 3 have EQ mode?
Not listed by Vaonis.
Does the full Moon fit in the Vaonis Vespera 3's field of view?
Yes. The Moon is about 0.52° across and the field is 2.50° × 1.40°.
Sources
Specs and prices checked on 11 Nov 2026.