Is it worth buying the Seestar S50 for deep sky observation?

I do own an S50 as well as a Celestron 6’’ SCT.
I enjoy using both for different reasons.

I can obviously take better pictures with the C6.
But a Seestar can still produce nice images with enough integration time and good processing.

The main advantage of the Seestar is that you can take it absolutely anywhere.
I cannot do that easily with the C6.

Now, for visual observing, it all depends on what you want to do.
The S50 has a short focal length, so it’s best for large targets.
You’ll most likely be disappointed with the small ones.

At 250mm, you won’t be able to see the same targets as your SkyWatcher at 900mm.
Most clusters will be small, like most distant galaxies.

But it does have live stacking, which can sometimes be nice for visual observing if you’re into that.

Jean-David Gadina · Feb 11, 2026, 02:14 PM

I do own an S50 as well as a Celestron 6’’ SCT.
I enjoy using both for different reasons.

I can obviously take better pictures with the C6.
But a Seestar can still produce nice images with enough integration time and good processing.

The main advantage of the Seestar is that you can take it absolutely anywhere.
I cannot do that easily with the C6.

Now, for visual observing, it all depends on what you want to do.
The S50 has a short focal length, so it’s best for large targets.
You’ll most likely be disappointed with the small ones.

At 250mm, you won’t be able to see the same targets as your SkyWatcher at 900mm.
Most clusters will be small, like most distant galaxies.

But it does have live stacking, which can sometimes be nice for visual observing if you’re into that.

thank you for your help and answers

BigLizardAstro · Feb 11, 2026, 01:28 PM

Hello, my name is Adam, and I'd like to know if the Seestar S50 is worth buying for deep sky or star cluster observing. I'd appreciate any opinion from people who own it or don't. I currently own a SkyWatcher 90/900 telescope

Hi Adam,

To quote my Dad, “If you don’t try, you’ll always wonder.”

Your SkyWatcher 90 900 is an achromatic objective. And not recommended for Astrophotography. (See the specifications) So the two cannot be fairly compared.

I have seen what appears as some good images taken with Seestar systems. But it took time for good images to appear. They had to reach capable hands.

From where you presently are, I think a SeeStar 50 might be a good next step if you want to enter into Astrophotography. And certainly a more budget friendly step.

Because the big step into AP would require much more costly equipment.

The SeeStar is not for observing. It is for imaging and you will be observing images captured with it. One thing imaging has all over observing is the camera can take longer exposures. Your eye cannot stay open and focused long enough to gather the photons a camera sensor can.

So you are at a cross-over point between your SkyWatcher Visual telescope and entering into Astrophotography with a SeeStar system.

The SeeStar 50 is likely a next progressive step in being imaging. Observing is one thing. Imaging is an entirely different animal.

Do note that there are other companies offering their versions of “All-In-One” systems like the SeeStar, but at greater costs in the instances I’ve seen.

LOL! The Gateway drug….

Not for me. I just stuck that 20 gage needle right in the biggest vain I could, and here I am many, many years later. 🤑

Parker Tankersley · Feb 21, 2026, 07:22 PM

I am new to astronomy and I think an S50 is a great scope for beginning astro photographers.

Thank you, I already bought it, it works very well

Definitely worth it. I have two along with my now larger rig. They are portable, very easy to use and the app is pretty good. I’ve taken some wonderful images with them but don’t expect them to be the same quality as the big rigs. They are no good for planetary imaging, even though you can with certain techniques. Now that the Seestar S30 pro is available i’d go for that. A lot more features but in a smaller package and better sensor.

FWIW - I think a smart telescope is the cheapest way to get into the hobby. Its also a significantly lower barrier to entry in a number of ways

• In Alt-Az mode its brain dead simple. Just follow the steps in the App and you are off and imaging in minutes. The relatively short focal length - 250mm and 10 second exposures are forgiving enough, assuming decent leveling, that you can get some pretty impressive results. Zwo has done a remarkable job with the software and has made it really easy to use. Always save the raw FITS files in case you want to post process.

• Once you have done this a few times, you can step it up by switching to EQ mode and start taking longer exposures.

• Next step up IMO is to learn post-processing - you can get some pretty impressive results, but the learning curve is long and steep and yes you need to invest either time (SIRIL) or money (PixInsight).

• The portability of the scope is another factor. Very easy to carry on to a plane, or even check in in its case - it can safely make the trip.

I like how it allows people to dip their toe in the waters. For those sticking to purely visual astro, i get it - nothing beats the high of hunting a dim DSO out in the wild, but that needs excellent non light polluted dark skies. Going forward though, for most people on this planet, this will be the only way to connect to the stars.