ZWO · entry smart telescope
ZWO Seestar S50
The ZWO Seestar S50 is a 50 mm smart telescope with a narrow 1.29° × 0.73° field of view, weighing 2.5 kg. It frames 9 of our 20 popular targets well in a single frame (rank 4 of 12). Official price: $549.
Where to buy the Seestar S50
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Key specifications
| Aperture | 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 250 mm (f/5.0) |
| Native field of view | 1.29° × 0.73° |
| Field size rank | 10 of 12 (1 = widest) |
| Sensor | Sony IMX462 |
| Weight | 2.5 kg |
| Wide-angle camera | Not listed |
| Mosaic mode | Not listed |
| Eyepiece | No – images on your phone or tablet |
| Official price | $549 (checked 2026-10-12) |
A narrow field shows more detail on small galaxies, globular clusters and planetary nebulae; large targets need a mosaic.
How targets fit the frame
Which popular targets fit
Based on each object's size against the short side of the native frame. "Larger than the frame" needs a mosaic or only shows part of the object.
| Target | Type | Size | In this frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| M51 Whirlpool Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 11′ | fits well |
| M81 Bode's Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 27′ | fits well |
| M82 Cigar Galaxy | irregular galaxy | 11′ | fits well |
| M101 Pinwheel Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 29′ | fits well |
| M13 Hercules Cluster | globular cluster | 17′ | fits well |
| M20 Trifid Nebula | star-forming nebula | 29′ | fits well |
| M63 Sunflower Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 13′ | fits well |
| M64 Black Eye Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 10′ | fits well |
| M104 Sombrero Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 9′ | fits well |
| M31 Andromeda Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 190′ | larger than the frame |
| M42 Orion Nebula | star-forming nebula | 66′ | larger than the frame |
| M45 Pleiades | open cluster | 110′ | larger than the frame |
| M33 Triangulum Galaxy | spiral galaxy | 71′ | larger than the frame |
| M8 Lagoon Nebula | star-forming nebula | 90′ | larger than the frame |
| M17 Omega Nebula | star-forming nebula | 46′ | larger than the frame |
| M44 Beehive Cluster | open cluster | 95′ | larger than the frame |
| M27 Dumbbell Nebula | planetary nebula | 8′ | small in the frame |
| M57 Ring Nebula | planetary nebula | 1′ | small in the frame |
| M16 Eagle Nebula | star-forming nebula | 7′ | small in the frame |
| M1 Crab Nebula | supernova remnant | 6′ | small in the frame |
Compare
Questions and answers
- Can the ZWO Seestar S50 photograph the Andromeda Galaxy?
- Only part of it fits: M31 is larger than its 1.29° × 0.73° frame, so you need a mosaic for the whole galaxy.
- How many popular targets does the ZWO Seestar S50 frame well?
- 9 of our 20 popular deep-sky targets fit well in one frame (rank 4 of 12). Good fits include M51 Whirlpool Galaxy, M81 Bode's Galaxy, M82 Cigar Galaxy.
- Can I look through the ZWO Seestar S50?
- No. It has no eyepiece: you see the stacked image on your phone or tablet.
- How heavy is the ZWO Seestar S50?
- About 2.5 kg according to the manufacturer.
- What does the ZWO Seestar S50 cost?
- The official price was $549 when we checked on 2026-10-12. Prices change, so check the store.
Sources
- Seestar S50 product page (official, checked 2026-10-12)
- Seestar S50 FAQ (official, checked 2026-10-12)