Vaonis · Current model · launched 2024
Vaonis Vespera II review: specs, price and verdict
Made-in-France 50 mm quadruplet with an 8.3 MP IMX585 and live mosaic up to 24 MP.
- 50 mmaperture
- 2.50° × 1.40°field of view
- 2.39″per pixel
- 5 kgweight
- 4 hbattery
Our verdict
The Vespera 3 fixes its battery and storage; the S50 Pro matches its optics for less.
Best for: Vaonis fans buying the outgoing model at a discount.
Pros
- Quadruplet optics with field corrector
- Weather-resistant metal body
- Live mosaic to 4.33° × 2.43°
Cons
- 4-hour battery and 25 GB storage
- Tripod not included in the base price
- Same aperture as the $999 Seestar S50 Pro
- Replaced by the Vespera 3 in April 2026
What fits in the field of view
The Vespera II 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 II |
|---|---|
| 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 271 px across |
| Ring Nebula (M57) | Fits, but small: about 35 px across |
| Jupiter | Fits, but small: about 19 px across |
Object sizes are approximate apparent sizes. Pixel counts use an image scale of 2.39″ per pixel. Try any combination in the field of view comparator.
Full specifications
| Aperture | 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 250 mm (f/5) |
| Optics | Apochromatic quadruplet with field corrector |
| Sensor | Sony IMX585 (1/1.2-inch) · 8.3 MP |
| Field of view (telephoto) | 2.50° × 1.40° |
| Image scale | 2.39″ per pixel |
| Wide-angle camera | No |
| Weight | 5 kg |
| Battery | 4 h · 3,250 mAh |
| Storage | 25 GB |
| EQ mode | Not listed by Vaonis |
| Filters | External filters sold separately (dual band, light pollution, solar) |
| Dew control | Dew heater activated by optional hygrometer |
| Tripod included | No |
| 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.
Other Vaonis models
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Vaonis Vespera II cost?
From $1,590 (telescope only) on vaonis.com; $1,690 with the standard tripod.
Can the Vaonis Vespera II 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 II have EQ mode?
Not listed by Vaonis.
Does the full Moon fit in the Vaonis Vespera II'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.