Seestar S50 vs Dwarflab Dwarf 3
The two leading smart telescopes under $700. They look similar on a spec sheet but make different choices about what to optimize. Here's which to buy.
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For pure stargazing under $700, the Seestar S50 wins. Bigger aperture, more mature app, solar filter included. Pick the Dwarf 3 only if you also want a dual-lens body for daytime birding / nature photography — that's a real, useful difference and the only reason to pay $100 more.
| Spec | Seestar S50 | Dwarf 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $499 | $599 |
| Aperture | 50mm | 35mm |
| Weight | 2.5kg | 1.3kg |
| Sensor | IMX462 (1080p) | IMX678 + IMX415 (dual) |
| App maturity | Polished — best in budget tier | Improving, occasional friction |
| Solar filter | Included | Sold separately |
| Dual-lens (wide + tele) | No | Yes |
| Daytime nature use | Limited | Designed for it |
Where the S50 wins
The 50mm aperture gathers 65% more light than the Dwarf 3's 35mm — meaningful on faint targets like the Veil Nebula or fainter clusters. The Seestar app is also visibly more refined: object database is better curated, stacking progress feedback is clearer, and there are fewer “why isn't it tracking” moments. The included solar filter means you can image the Sun (transits, sunspots, eclipses) on day one without buying anything extra.
Where the Dwarf 3 wins
The dual-lens body (wide-angle + telephoto on a single mount) is genuinely useful if you want a do-everything outdoor optic. It's lighter, smaller, and the second lens turns the scope into a credible bird/wildlife camera with the same auto-tracking. If you're considering buying two devices, the Dwarf 3 collapses them into one.
What about the Seestar S30?
The S30 is the cheapest of the three at $349 with the same app as the S50. It's pocketable for travel but the 30mm aperture is a meaningful step down — only buy if portability is the deciding factor. See our full ranking for context.
Considering a step up?
If you might spend more, the Unistellar eQuinox 2 at $2,500 has 5× the light gathering of either scope here. It's the natural upgrade path. See the full comparison →
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