ZWO Seestar S30 vs DWARF 3
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Quick answerThese are two small, dual-camera smart telescopes. The DWARF 3 is lighter (about 1.35 kg), uses a Sony IMX678 sensor, allows exposures up to 60 seconds and is rated IP54 for dust and dew, per DwarfLab. The Seestar S30 has a 30 mm f/5 telephoto, three built-in filters including a dual-band light-pollution filter, and 64 GB of storage, per ZWO. ZWO also sells an S30 Pro with 4K dual-camera imaging.
Both do the same basic job: you pick a target in the app, the scope finds it, tracks it and stacks an image on your phone. The details differ. Specs come from ZWO's S30 FAQ and DwarfLab's DWARF 3 page. We haven't tested them.
Side by side
| Seestar S30 | DWARF 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephoto | 30 mm, f/5, 150 mm, triplet APO | 737 mm equivalent; 6-element APO group |
| Wide-angle camera | Yes; 23.2° field | Yes; 45 mm equivalent |
| Telephoto field | 2.46° | 3° |
| Sensor | Sony IMX662, 1080x1920 | Sony IMX678 |
| Filters | UV/IR cut, dark, dual-band light pollution | VIS / Astro / Dual-band (OIII + Hα) |
| Max exposure | See maker | Up to 60 s; EQ mode |
| Weight | 1.65 kg body; 2.12 kg with tripod and case | About 1.35 kg |
| Battery | See maker | Up to 5.5 h (measured average, per DwarfLab) |
| Storage | 64 GB (about 50 GB usable) | See maker |
| Weather | See maker | IP54 dust and dew resistant |
| Solar filter | Magnetic, included | Magnetic ND, included |
Where each one leans
- DWARF 3: lighter, exposures up to 60 seconds with an EQ mode, and an IP54 rating, per DwarfLab.
- Seestar S30: a 30 mm f/5 triplet APO telephoto with a dual-band light-pollution filter, and a wide-angle camera with a 23.2° field, per ZWO.
The picks
Seestar S30
ZWO Seestar S30 Smart Telescope
- 3.6 lb (1.65 kg), per the listing
- Telephoto lens plus a wide-angle lens
- Stargazing, Scenery and Solar System modes
- Light pollution filter; EQ, Plan and Mosaic modes
DWARF 3
DWARF 3 Smart Telescope
- About 3 lb (1.35 kg), per the listing
- Telephoto and wide-angle dual lens
- App control with auto-tracking
- Box includes a magnetic filter and carry bag
Step-up and step-down options: the Seestar S30 Pro lists apochromatic optics and 4K dual-camera imaging, and the DWARF mini drops to 840 g, per their listings.
Seestar S30 Pro
ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope
- Apochromatic optics with built-in light pollution filters, per the listing
- Dual-camera 4K imaging
- Automatic GoTo and tracking
- 3.64 lb
DWARF mini
DWARF mini Smart Telescope
- 1.85 lb (840 g), per the listing
- Sony IMX662 sensor
- EQ mode; single exposures up to 90 seconds
- Built-in light pollution filters
More models, including the 85 mm Unistellar Odyssey, in smart telescopes.
FAQ
Which is lighter?
DWARF 3, about 1.35 vs 1.65 kg.
Two cameras each?
Yes.
Solar filters included?
Yes, both.