# Seestar S50 Discontinued: S50 Pro Review & Alternatives > The original Seestar S50 is out of stock and discontinued. Here's how the S50 Pro compares, what reviewers found, and the best alternatives at lower prices. - Source: https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/seestar-s50-discontinued-what-to-buy/ - Markdown version: https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/seestar-s50-discontinued-what-to-buy.md - Last updated: 2026-11-12 --- - [Home](https://smarttelescopereview.com/) - [Guides](https://smarttelescopereview.com/guides/) - Seestar S50 Discontinued? What Happened, the S50 Pro Reviewed, and What to Buy Instead S50 replacement # Seestar S50 Discontinued? What Happened, the S50 Pro Reviewed, and What to Buy Instead Updated November 12, 2026 By [Smart Telescope Review Editorial Team](https://smarttelescopereview.com/about/) [How we research](https://smarttelescopereview.com/how-we-research/) Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy. ## Key takeaways - The original **Seestar S50** is out of stock at ZWO and High Point Scientific lists it as discontinued. You can't buy it new from either. - Its replacement, the **Seestar S50 Pro**, launched August 25, 2026 and costs about $999 on Amazon: double the S50's last $499 price. - The Pro fixes the S50's weak points: 8.3 MP instead of 2 MP, a four-element ED lens, a wide-angle camera, 128 GB storage and a 9-hour battery (ZWO). - The sensor is an OmniVision OS08B10, not a Sony chip, which AstroBackyard says has caused controversy. Reviewers still praise the images. - On a tighter budget, the **Dwarf 3** (about $549) and **Seestar S30 Plus** (about $474) are the closest in price to the old S50. ## Our top picks - 1![ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s50-pro.BOj1gADQ_1F3c68.webp)The direct replacement: 50 mm, 8.3 MP, EQ mode, tripod and case included, about $999[ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/)50 mm f/5.2 · 2.45° × 1.38° · 6.2 lb8.6**$$**$$Mid-rangePrice tier: Mid-range[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 2![ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s30-pro.DqtA63or_29e8vC.webp)Lighter and cheaper: 4K, widest field, 1.65 kg, about $664[ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/)30 mm f/5.3 · 3.99° × 2.24° · 3.6 lb8.5**$$**$$Mid-rangePrice tier: Mid-range[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYX9GSVX?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 3![DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/dwarf-3.BTcvoQNe_1cVPwz.webp)Best value 4K alternative with daytime tricks, about $549[DWARFLAB Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/)35 mm f/4.3 · 2.93° × 1.65° · 3 lb8.2**$**$$$BudgetPrice tier: Budget[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHP6K4BK?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) - 4![ZWO Seestar S30 Plus Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s30-plus.q5AxtyH4_G5WlK.webp)Closest to the S50's old price: complete kit for about $474[ZWO Seestar S30 Plus Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-plus/)30 mm f/5.3 · 2.66° × 1.5° · 3.6 lb8.2**$**$$$BudgetPrice tier: Budget[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HMW9GDGJ?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) ### On this page 8 sections - [What happened to the Seestar S50](#what-happened-to-the-seestar-s50) - [Seestar S50 vs S50 Pro: specs side by side](#seestar-s50-vs-s50-pro-specs-side-by-side) - [Seestar S50 Pro review roundup](#seestar-s50-pro-review-roundup) - [The alternatives](#the-alternatives) - [If you buy the S50 Pro: what else you’ll need](#if-you-buy-the-s50-pro-what-else-youll-need) - [Which should you buy?](#which-should-you-buy) - [How we chose](#how-we-chose) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you choose - [Seestar S30 Pro vs S50 Pro: Which ZWO Smart Telescope Should You Buy?](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/seestar-s30-pro-vs-s50-pro/) - [Dwarf 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro: Which Compact Smart Telescope Wins?](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/dwarf-3-vs-seestar-s30-pro/) - [The 7 Best Smart Telescopes of 2026: Ranked for Backyard, Travel and Budget](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-smart-telescopes-2026/) If you’ve been shopping for a Seestar S50 this fall, you’ve probably found empty listings or prices that make no sense. The S50 was the best-selling smart telescope of its generation, and it’s gone. This guide explains what happened, compares the old S50 with the S50 Pro that replaced it, summarizes what reviewers found about the Pro, and lays out the alternatives if $999 is more than you planned to spend. We haven’t tested these telescopes ourselves. Everything here comes from ZWO’s and DWARFLAB’s spec pages, dealer listings, live Amazon prices on November 12, 2026, and independent reviews, which we name each time. Check today’s price before you buy. ## What happened to the Seestar S50 Three things changed in 2026: - **ZWO stopped selling it.** ZWO’s S50 product page now says the telescope is “currently out of stock and unavailable,” with its last price shown as $499. - **Dealers marked it discontinued.** High Point Scientific lists the S50 as discontinued. The smaller original Seestar S30 went the same way: High Point lists it as discontinued too, and ZWO’s old S30 page now redirects to the new [S30 Plus](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-plus/). - **The S50 Pro arrived.** ZWO announced the [Seestar S50 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) as available on August 25, 2026. Astronomy.com reported an $899 introductory price and a $999 list price from September 15. On November 12, 2026, both Amazon listings (ZWO Store and Agena Astro) were at $999. So if you see an “S50” listed new well above $499, read the title carefully: it may be the Pro, or an old unit from a reseller. ## Seestar S50 vs S50 Pro: specs side by side | | Seestar S50 (discontinued) | Seestar S50 Pro | | --- | --- | --- | | Aperture / focal length | 50 mm / 250 mm (f/5) | 50 mm / 260 mm (f/5.2) | | Lens | 3-element apochromat | 4-element apochromat with ED glass | | Main sensor | Sony IMX462 | OmniVision OS08B10 (1/1.2-inch) | | Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | 3840 × 2160 (8.3 MP) | | Field of view | About 1.5° diagonal (ZWO) | About 2.8° diagonal (ZWO); 2.45° × 1.38° computed | | Wide-angle camera | No | Sony IMX586, 63° | | Battery (ZWO) | About 6 h | Up to 9 h (10,000 mAh) | | Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | | Weight | 2.5 kg | 2.8 kg | | Price | $499 (last ZWO price) | About $999 | Native field of view How much sky the main camera frames in one shot (bar length = area in square degrees). The full Moon is about 0.5° across. ZWO DWARFLAB Vaonis Celestron Unistellar [Seestar S30 Pro 3.99° × 2.24°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/)[Dwarf 3 2.93° × 1.65°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/)[Seestar S30 Plus 2.66° × 1.5°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-plus/)[Vespera 3 2.6° × 1.4°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-3/)[Vespera II 2.5° × 1.4°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-ii/)[Seestar S50 Pro 2.45° × 1.38°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/)[Vespera Pro 2 1.6° × 1.6°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-pro-2/)[Dwarf Mini 2.13° × 1.2°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-mini/)[Origin Mark II 1.32° × 0.75°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/celestron-origin-mark-ii/)[eQuinox 2 0.76° × 0.57°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/unistellar-equinox-2/)[eVscope 2 0.76° × 0.57°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/unistellar-evscope-2/)[Unistellar Odyssey 0.75° × 0.56°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/unistellar-odyssey/)[Odyssey Pro 0.75° × 0.56°](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/unistellar-odyssey-pro/) Wider fields fit big nebulae and Andromeda; narrower fields put more pixels on small galaxies. Try any target in the [framing calculator](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/fov-calculator/). The biggest practical change is the sensor. Four times the pixels across a wider field means you can frame bigger objects and still crop in. The S50 Pro’s feature list also includes a dual-band filter, a dark filter, 8K deep-sky mosaics, an 8K Milky Way mode using the wide camera, and EQ mode with ZWO’s separately sold TH10 head. In the box you get a carbon tripod, a hard case and a solar filter. ## Seestar S50 Pro review roundup Three independent outlets have published full written reviews. Digital Camera World called it a versatile two-camera smart telescope with impressive imaging. It measured battery life of well over six hours. Its cons: a higher price than the original, EQ mode needs an extra accessory, and serious planetary imagers should look elsewhere. ZWO itself says the S50 Pro isn’t suited to planets; expect Jupiter about 20 pixels across. Live Science confirmed the solar filter in the box and weighed its sample at 2.7 kg. It found the included tripod very short and spotted typos in the app. AstroBackyard is the one to read on the sensor. ZWO chose an OmniVision OS08B10 rather than a Sony chip, and AstroBackyard notes the switch “has caused controversy.” Sources even disagree on the details: Digital Camera World lists it as 1/1.25-inch, and Space.com’s launch article named Sony’s IMX585. ZWO’s spec page says OS08B10, so that’s what we use. AstroBackyard also reports battery drops in the cold and a one-year warranty on the battery (two years on the telescope). Space.com’s November 2026 roundup picks the S50 Pro as the best value for small budgets. Our own score for it is 8.6 out of 10, the highest of any scope under $1,000 in our database. Read the [full S50 Pro page](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) for specs and sources, or [check the price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20). ## The alternatives ### Seestar S30 Pro: lighter, wider, $335 less The [S30 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-pro/) (about $664) has a 4K Sony IMX585 behind a 30 mm four-element ED lens, a 4K wide camera and the widest native field we track (about 4° × 2.2°). The Andromeda Galaxy fits in one S30 Pro frame; on the S50 Pro it needs two panels. The trade is light: 30 mm collects about a third of what 50 mm does, so faint galaxies need longer stacks. BBC Sky at Night, Digital Camera World and Fstoppers all rate it highly for beginners. Our [S30 Pro vs S50 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/seestar-s30-pro-vs-s50-pro/) comparison goes deeper. [Check the price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYX9GSVX?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20). ### Dwarf 3: 4K for $549, plus daytime photography The [Dwarf 3](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/dwarf-3/) has 35 mm of aperture, a 4K Sony Starvis 2 sensor, a dual narrowband filter and a solar filter, in a 1.35 kg IP54 body that also tracks wildlife in daylight. BBC Sky at Night rated it 4 stars. Space.com found image capture time-consuming and wanted better instructions, and there’s no tripod in the box. See [Dwarf 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/dwarf-3-vs-seestar-s30-pro/). ### Seestar S30 Plus: the S50’s old price, in a smaller kit The [S30 Plus](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s30-plus/) (about $474) is the closest you’ll get to the S50’s $499. It shares the S30 Pro’s lens but uses a 2K SmartSens sensor, 64 GB of storage and drops wide-angle mosaics. Tripod, case and solar filter are included. It launched November 10, 2026, so there are no independent written reviews yet. ### Vaonis Vespera II: only on a discount The [Vespera II](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/vaonis-vespera-ii/) (about $1,590) matches the S50 Pro’s 50 mm aperture with a 4K IMX585, a refined app and an IP43 body. But it has no built-in filters, no EQ mode and about four hours of battery, and costs about $600 more. ScopeTrader notes rivals with filters or EQ tracking cost less. Consider it only at a clear discount. ## If you buy the S50 Pro: what else you’ll need The S50 Pro box covers the basics: tripod, case and solar filter. Three add-ons are worth knowing about. - **EQ mode.** ZWO’s [TH10 fluid head](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN82SCJL?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) (about $94) tilts the scope to your latitude for longer, rotation-free exposures. ZWO says S50-series owners need only the head, not the TC20 tripod. Our [EQ mode explainer](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/smart-telescope-eq-mode-explained/) covers setup. - **Power for cold nights.** AstroBackyard saw battery life drop in the cold. A USB-C power bank such as the [Anker 737](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VPHVT2Z?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) (about $99) keeps a long session going. - **Extra filters.** The built-in dual-band filter handles most nebulae. For very bright skies, a third-party [2-inch filter adapter](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJMYTYLW?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20) (about $13) lets you add a tighter filter in front of the filter wheel. ## Which should you buy? - **You wanted the S50 for backyard galaxies and nebulae:** the S50 Pro. It’s the true successor. - **You’ll travel with it, or want big nebulae and the Milky Way:** the S30 Pro. - **You also want a wildlife camera, or $549 is the ceiling:** the Dwarf 3, plus a tripod. - **You want the cheapest complete kit:** the S30 Plus. Check any of these against your own sky with the [sky target checker](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/sky-target-checker/#scope=seestar-s50-pro&bortle=6), or let the [telescope matcher](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/telescope-matcher/) narrow it down. ## How we chose We compared every current scope in our [database](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/) at or below the S50 Pro’s price, plus the Vespera II as the other 50 mm option. Specs come from maker pages, with S50 figures from ZWO’s S50 product page and dealer listings. Scores weight image quality and optics at 35%, ease of use at 25%, portability and build at 20% and value at 20%. Details are on [how we research](https://smarttelescopereview.com/how-we-research/). ## Don't guess. Calculate. - [🔭 Sky Target Checker](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/sky-target-checker/): what each scope can see from your sky - [🖼️ FOV Calculator](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/fov-calculator/): framing and mosaics, scope by scope - [🎯 Telescope Matcher](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/telescope-matcher/): which scopes fit your budget and goals - [📊 Compare every scope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/): sortable spec table ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Seestar S50 discontinued? Effectively, yes. ZWO's own S50 page says the telescope is currently out of stock and unavailable, and High Point Scientific lists it as discontinued. ZWO launched the Seestar S50 Pro on August 25, 2026 as its 50 mm model. ### Is the Seestar S50 Pro worth it over the original S50? If you're buying new, there's no choice, because the S50 is gone. On paper the Pro is a big step: 8.3 MP versus 1920 × 1080, a four-element ED lens versus three elements, a 63° wide camera, 128 GB storage and up to 9 hours of battery (ZWO). It also costs about $999 against the S50's last $499. ### What sensor does the Seestar S50 Pro use? ZWO lists an OmniVision OS08B10 (1/1.2-inch, 2.9 µm, 3840 × 2160). Digital Camera World describes it as 1/1.25-inch, and Space.com's launch article said Sony IMX585. AstroBackyard notes the switch away from Sony has caused controversy among owners. We go by ZWO's spec page. ### What's the cheapest alternative to the Seestar S50? The Seestar S30 Plus at about $474 on Amazon (Nov 12, 2026) is the closest to the S50's old price and includes a tripod, case and solar filter. It has a 30 mm lens, so it gathers about a third of the light of a 50 mm scope. The Dwarf 3 at about $549 adds a 4K sensor and 35 mm of aperture but no tripod. ### Can I still buy a used Seestar S50? Used units may appear, but we can't vouch for battery health or warranty transfer. Check the seller's terms carefully and compare the price with a new S30 Plus or Dwarf 3, which come with a full warranty. ## Sources - [ZWO: Seestar S50 product page](https://www.zwoastro.com/product/seestar-s50/) · checked 2026-11-12 — The original Seestar S50 is listed as currently out of stock and unavailable, at $499. - [High Point Scientific: ZWO Seestar S50](https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo-seestar-s50-smart-telescope) · checked 2026-11-12 — The dealer lists the Seestar S50 as discontinued. - [ZWO: Seestar S50 Pro now available (Aug 25, 2026)](https://www.zwoastro.com/2026/08/25/seestar-s50-pro-now-available-50mm-aperture-revealing-more-of-the-universe/) · checked 2026-11-12 — ZWO announced the 50 mm Seestar S50 Pro as available on August 25, 2026. - [Digital Camera World: ZWO Seestar S50 Pro review](https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/optics/telescopes/zwo-seestar-s50-pro-review-a-versatile-two-camera-smart-telescope-with-impressive-imaging-capabilities) · checked 2026-11-12 — Cons include a higher price than the original and EQ mode needing an accessory; serious planetary imagers should look elsewhere. Battery lasted well over six hours. - [Live Science: ZWO Seestar S50 Pro review](https://www.livescience.com/products/optics/zwo-seestar-s50-pro-smart-telescope-review) · checked 2026-11-12 — Comes with a solar filter; the tripod is very short and the app has typos. The sample weighed 2.7 kg. - [AstroBackyard: Seestar S50 Pro review](https://astrobackyard.com/seestar-s50-pro-review/) · checked 2026-11-12 — The switch to the OmniVision OS08B10 sensor has caused controversy; battery life drops in the cold, and the battery carries a 1-year warranty. ## Get new guides by e-mail One short e-mail when Smart Telescope Review publishes a new guide. No spam, no sharing your address, and you can unsubscribe in one click. E-mail address New posts only · Unsubscribe anytime · [Privacy](https://smarttelescopereview.com/privacy/) Our #1 pick The direct replacement: 50 mm, 8.3 MP, EQ mode, tripod and case included, about $999 ![ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/_astro/seestar-s50-pro.BOj1gADQ_21iw81.webp) ### [ZWO Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) 8.6 - 50 mm f/5.2 - 2.45° × 1.38° field - 6.2 lb - EQ mode - Dual-band filter Most buyers: the best all-round smart telescope for backyard deep-sky imaging, the Moon and the Sun at under $1,000, and the direct replacement for the discontinued Seestar S50. $$$$ Mid-range Price tier: Mid-range Amazon price, Nov 12, 2026 [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20)[Read the full review](https://smarttelescopereview.com/smart-telescopes/seestar-s50-pro/) [🎯 Not sure which fits? Match a smart telescope to your budget, sky and targets in 30 seconds.](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/telescope-matcher/)[🔭 What can it see? Check 56 targets against your sky and any scope.](https://smarttelescopereview.com/tools/sky-target-checker/) ## Keep reading [Head-to-head ### Seestar S30 Pro vs S50 Pro: Which ZWO Smart Telescope Should You Buy? Seestar S30 Pro vs S50 Pro: 2.8× the light against a 4° field and half the weight. Specs, framing, battery, price and which one suits how you'll observe. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/seestar-s30-pro-vs-s50-pro/)[Head-to-head ### Dwarf 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro: Which Compact Smart Telescope Wins? Dwarf 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro compared: aperture, sensors, field of view, battery, EQ mode, filters, daytime use and what BBC, Space.com and others found. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/dwarf-3-vs-seestar-s30-pro/)[Top picks ### The 7 Best Smart Telescopes of 2026: Ranked for Backyard, Travel and Budget The best smart telescopes of 2026, ranked: Seestar S50 Pro, S30 Pro, Dwarf 3, Vespera 3, eQuinox 2 and Origin Mark II, with real prices and honest trade-offs. Updated Nov 12, 2026](https://smarttelescopereview.com/posts/best-smart-telescopes-2026/) The direct replacement: 50 mm, 8.3 MP, EQ mode, tripod and case included, about $999 Seestar S50 Pro $$$$ Mid-range Price tier: Mid-range [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP1RDLVP?tag=smarttelescopereview.com-20)