ZWO Seestar S50 review: bringing smart telescopes to the masses

A breakthrough product among would-be astrophotographers, the Seestar’s grab-and-go design is backed up by some intruiging images

ZWO Seestar S50 telescope outside in a field of flowers
(Image: © Jamie Carter / Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Seestar S50 is a delightful product that punches well above its weight. It may be its low price that initially tempts, but this is a hugely enjoyable product for basic astrophotography, with its low-resolution images and field rotation issues our only concern.

Pros

  • +

    Low price

  • +

    Lightweight design

  • +

    Ease of use

  • +

    It can be used in daylight

Cons

  • -

    No eyepiece

  • -

    Low-resolution portrait-shape images

  • -

    Field rotation issues

  • -

    Short battery life

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Smart telescopes have only been around for a few years, but until the Seestar arrived, they were a high-end purchase for early adopters. Now, everyone can afford a smart telescope, thanks to the Seestar, which has become a word-of-mouth hit that threatens to trouble the best telescopes for astrophotography in 2024. Sold out in advance of April 8’s total solar eclipse in the USA, it can take images of both the sun and moon, and deep sky targets. 

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SensorIMX462
Resolution1920 x 1080
Aperture2 inches/50mm
Focal ratiof/5
Focal length250 mm
Optical lensApochromatic triplet
Storage64 GB
ConnectionsUSB-C, 3/8“-20“ tripod thread
MountAlt-azimuth
Battery capacity6,000 mAh
Weight5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg
Dimensions142.5 x 130 x 257 cm
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FeaturesIt’s capable of long-exposure images of deep sky objects and excels with the sun and moon. ★★★☆☆
DesignIt’s lightweight and portable, and the setup is straightforward. ★★★★☆
PerformanceWhile it doesn’t produce the highest-quality images, it offers excellent value. ★★★★☆
ValueIt’s easily the most affordable smart telescope available. ★★★★★
Unistellar eQuinox 2

Unistellar eQuinox 2
This smart reflector telescope, perfect for rank amateurs and advanced astronomers, offers 6.2 MP images and includes citizen science campaigns. 

Celestron Inspire 100AZ

Celestron Inspire 100AZ
This inexpensive refractor telescope has – unlike the Seestar – an eyepiece for seeing the light from distant objects with your own eyes. It does its best work with planets and the moon.

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Jamie Carter
Astrophotography expert

Jamie has been writing about all aspects of technology for over 14 years, producing content for sites like TechRadar, T3, Forbes, Mashable, MSN, South China Morning Post, and BBC Wildlife, BBC Focus and BBC Sky At Night magazines. 

As the editor for www.WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com, he has a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise for all things astrophotography, from capturing the Perseid Meteor Shower, lunar eclipses and ring of fire eclipses, photographing the moon and blood moon and more.

He also brings a great deal of knowledge on action cameras, 360 cameras, AI cameras, camera backpacks, telescopes, gimbals, tripods and all manner of photography equipment.