The market for smart telescopes has grown significantly in recent years, offering those interested in the night sky a range of options that combine ease of use with advanced features. Among the contenders are the ZWO Seestar S50 and Dwarf Lab’s Dwarf 2 and Dwarf 3 telescopes. Below is a comparative analysis of these three models, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
1. Optical Performance and Aperture
ZWO Seestar S50 :
- Aperture: 50mm
- Focal Length: 250mm
- Optics: The Seestar S50 features a triplet refractor design with APO glass, reducing chromatic aberration and providing sharp, clear images. Its larger aperture allows it to capture more light, making it particularly effective for deep-sky observations and imaging.
https://www.opticscentral.com.au/zwo-seestar-s50-smart-telescope.html
Dwarf 2 :
- Aperture: 24mm
- Focal Length: 100mm
- Optics: The Dwarf 2 is equipped with a smaller aperture, limiting its light-gathering capacity compared to the Seestar S50. It is, however, well-suited for wide-field observations and casual stargazing. The Dwarf 2’s telephoto lens is functional but more basic, with less advanced optics than the Seestar S50.
Dwarf 3 :
- Aperture: 35mm
- Focal Length: 150mm
- Optics: The Dwarf 3 improves on its predecessor with a larger aperture and longer focal length. The inclusion of multiple ED (extra-low dispersion) glass helps reduce image distortion and enhances the telescope’s ability to capture detailed views of celestial objects, though it still falls short of the Seestar S50’s capabilities.
https://www.opticscentral.com.au/dwarf-3-smart-telescope.html
Verdict: The Seestar S50 leads in optical performance, particularly for those interested in more serious astrophotography, thanks to its larger aperture and advanced optics. The Dwarf 3 is a solid middle ground with significant improvements over the Dwarf 2, offering better light capture and sharper images.
2. Camera Sensor and Image Quality
ZWO Seestar S50:
- Sensor: The Seestar S50 is equipped with a high-quality IMX462 CMOS sensor that provides detailed and clear images, even in low-light conditions. The sensor’s design prioritizes high sensitivity and low noise, essential for capturing distant celestial objects.
- Image Quality: The Seestar sensor will give you a portrait format of 1080px x 1920px, offers extremely good images, especially with images such as Nebula
Dwarf 2 :
- Sensor: Sony IMX415 Starvis (8.3 MP, 3840×2160)
- Image Quality: The Dwarf 2’s sensor, while competent, is somewhat dated, resulting in images that can be noisier compared to those from newer models. It struggles with longer exposures, which can limit its effectiveness in deep-sky astrophotography.
Dwarf 3 :
- Sensor: Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 (8.3 MP, 3856×2180)
- Image Quality: The Dwarf 3 offers a significant upgrade with the IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor, which provides better noise reduction and higher sensitivity. This results in clearer, more vibrant images, making it more competitive with the Seestar S50, although it still lags slightly in overall image clarity under extreme conditions.
- Wide angle camera: The Dwarf 3 allows you to use the wide-angle camera to take panoramic images of subject matter like the Milky Way in great detail, like no other smart telescope
Verdict: The Dwarf 3’s upgraded sensor narrows the gap between it and the Seestar S50, but the Seestar S50 still holds an edge in image quality, particularly for those seeking the best possible results in low-light astrophotography.
3. Versatility and Usability
ZWO Seestar S50 :
- Features: The Seestar S50 offers advanced tracking and automation, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users. It is designed primarily for astrophotography but can be adapted for terrestrial photography with some limitations.
- Usability: Its user-friendly interface and automated star alignment and tracking ensure a smooth experience even for those new to astronomy.
Dwarf 2 :
- Features: The Dwarf 2 is a versatile device that doubles as a nature camera during the day. However, it lacks some of the advanced tracking features seen in newer models, which can make it less reliable for long-exposure astrophotography.
- Usability: While easy to use, the Dwarf 2’s connectivity and tracking features are somewhat outdated, which can lead to occasional frustrations, especially in challenging conditions.
Dwarf 3 :
- Features: The Dwarf 3 retains the versatility of the Dwarf 2 while introducing significant improvements. It now features AI-powered tracking, better connectivity, and the ability to capture both astronomical and terrestrial images with enhanced precision.
- Usability: With its improved software and hardware, the Dwarf 3 offers a much smoother and more reliable user experience. The addition of features like 4K video recording and a larger battery further enhances its usability.
Verdict: The Dwarf 3 is a clear winner in terms of versatility, offering a good balance of features for both day and night photography. However, the Seestar S50’s superior tracking and automation make it the better choice for dedicated astrophotography.
4. Price and Value for Money
ZWO Seestar S50 :
- Price: Generally higher, reflecting its advanced features and superior optics.
- Value: For serious astrophotographers, the Seestar S50 provides excellent value, given its high-end performance and capabilities.
Dwarf 2 :
- Price: The most affordable option among the three, making it accessible for beginners or those with a limited budget.
- Value: While it offers good value for casual users, its limitations in optical performance and image quality may disappoint those seeking more advanced features.
Dwarf 3 :
- Price : Positioned between the Dwarf 2 and the Seestar S50, the Dwarf 3 offers an excellent balance of price and performance.
- Value : The Dwarf 3 represents a substantial upgrade from the Dwarf 2 and offers good value for those looking for a versatile, mid-range smart telescope.
Verdict : The Dwarf 3 offers the best balance of price and features for most users, while the Seestar S50 is worth the investment for those prioritizing high-end astrophotography capabilities.
Comparison table
| ZWO Seestar S50 | Dwarf 2 | Dwarf 3 | |
| Aperture | 50mm | 24mm | 35mm |
| Focal Length | 250mm | 100mm | 150mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/5 | f/4.2 | f/4.3 |
| Optical Design | Triplet Refractor with APO Glass | Refractor | Refractor with ED Glass |
| Field of View | 1.5° x 1° | 3.2° x 1.8° | 2.9° x 1.7° |
| Camera Sensor | Sony IMX462 (2MP) | Sony IMX415 (8.3MP) | Sony IMX678 (8.3MP) |
| Pixel Size | 2.4µm | 1.45µm | 2µm |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080px | 3840px x 2160px | 3856px x 2160px |
| Mount Type | Alt AZ | Alt AZ | Alt AZ |
| Tracking | AI Powered, Automated Star tracking | Basic Star tracking | AI Powered, Automated Star tracking |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi, Bluetooth | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Video recording | 4K at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps | 4K at 30fps |
| Image formats | JPG, TIFF, RAW | JPG, TIFF, FITS | JPG, PNG, TIFF, FITS |
| Battery | 15,000 mAh | 3,600 mAh | 10,000mAh |
| Storage | 128GB internal | 64GB internal | 128GB internal |
| Weight | 3.5kg | 1.2kg | 1.3kg |
| Dimensions (H, W, L) | 30 x 15 x 30cm | 20 x 6 x 13cm | 20 x 6 x 13cm |
| Water Resistance | IP65 | – | IP54 |
| SKU | ZWO-Seestar-S50 | DWA-SMARTDX | DWA-SMART |
Conclusion
The choice between the ZWO Seestar S50, Dwarf 2, and Dwarf 3 largely depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re a dedicated astrophotographer seeking top-tier performance, the Seestar S50 is the best option. For those looking for a more affordable, versatile device, the Dwarf 3 provides a compelling mix of features and usability. Meanwhile, the Dwarf 2 remains a good entry-level choice for beginners but you may feel limited as you progress in your astrophotography journey.