SeeStar S30 Pro stacking versus manual processing in Siril

ZWO Seestar S30 M42 NGC2244
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JohnnyAstro avatar
JohnnyAstro avatar

So, I have been using my DSLR with a tripod up until this point. No tracking capability. I recently purchased and received a SeeStar S30 Pro. I had a couple of evenings with it, although in very non-ideal settings (Clouds, from balcony with bright lights around our building), but I was anxious to just get a taste. Well, what it managed to pull from an honestly crappy night to shoot was pretty impressive.

What I did was allow the SeeStar to stack and process the final image so I could see what it came up with, and then I saved each individual frame so I could process myself on Siril. Let me first say, I am clearly just learning and I realize my processing is extremely limited at this point and I know I could be getting so much more out of it. But I am doing what I know up to this point.

My results surprised me, as they do not seem to be up to par with what the SeeStar came up with for the finalized image. Which brings me to my question: I am really not sure WHAT exactly I am looking for in a good image, or in good processing. I understand that a lot of it is up to the photographer themselves. But I am trying to get a better handle on what I should be aiming for in a final image. What is considered “good” or acceptable?

Here are 6 images total (3 each) of M42 and NGC 2244.

One is SeeStar’s final stacked and processed image onboard the app, and the other two are my go at a final image in Siril. If anyone could critique and point out what I am looking for and the variances between them, that would help me a lot! At first glance, the SeeStar final image to me looked way better than what I could currently produce. Again, I know my knowledge in processing is the limiting factor here:

M42 —

SeeStar:

m42_seestar_processing.jpg

My images stacked and processed in Siril:

Unsaved star recomposition result.png

Unsaved star recomposition result2.jpg

NGC 2244 —

SeeStar:

rosette_seestar_processing.jpg

My images stacked and processed in Siril:

Unsaved star recomposition result.png

Unsaved star recomposition result2.png

Thank you to all of the knowledgeable people on here who lend a hand and help newcomers who want to learn.

  • John

Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I actually think that the ones you processed are better. They have a long way to go but I wouldn’t say that the SS is doing better. For instance, you have more color variety in your M42. I think at this point you just need a lot more time on the object.

As far as what is good, there’s plenty of examples here on the bin. Just keep in mind that the S30 has a very small aperture so it’s limited in resolution.

JohnnyAstro avatar
JohnnyAstro avatar

Tony Gondola · Apr 2, 2026, 10:14 PM

I actually think that the ones you processed are better. They have a long way to go but I wouldn’t say that the SS is doing better. For instance, you have more color variety in your M42. I think at this point you just need a lot more time on the object.

As far as what is good, there’s plenty of examples here on the bin. Just keep in mind that the S30 has a very small aperture so it’s limited in resolution.

As always, thanks Tony!

It was not a good viewing night so my time was very limited, that is a good point.

I just wanted to see how others would compare them.

Cheers