User Review #2: A Closer Look at Seestar S50, S30 & S30 Pro — Design and Accessories Compared

I am Masaya Henda (@achi-shanghai).

While working as a technical manager in the automotive industry, I currently live in Shanghai, China.
Although it is an urban environment with strong light pollution, I have long enjoyed astronomical observation and astrophotography, and I own all three Seestar models (S50 / S30 / S30 Pro) and use them on a daily basis.

In my previous article, I compared the three models by photographing them under the same conditions, focusing mainly on differences in field of view (FOV) and actual imaging performance.
I recommend reading the previous review first.
This time, I changed the perspective and organized the differences in exterior appearance, included accessories, and solar imaging as the second part of the article.

One thing that can be said about all three Seestar models is that their excellent portability is one of their major attractions.
First, I would like to focus on the differences in exterior appearance and included accessories between the S30 and S30 Pro.

Differences in Exterior Appearance

When placing the three models side by side, the first thing you notice is that the S50 and the S30 series clearly differ in exterior appearance and size.
Because the S50 has an optical specification with a 50 mm lens aperture, the body has a slightly more voluminous feel compared to the S30 series, despite being compact.
The impression it gives from the exterior is different from that of the S30 / S30 Pro.
Meanwhile, the S30 and S30 Pro share a compact body, and their size, shape, coloring, and button layout are almost identical.

Differences in Appearance Between the S30 and S30 Pro

・Packaging Condition

The S30 and S30 Pro look so similar that it was difficult to distinguish them at the moment of unboxing.
Especially this time, since the S30 Pro arrived about one week after ordering, I was genuinely worried that a standard S30 might have been delivered by mistake, and after opening the box, the first thing I did was check the logo printed on the body.

The upper one is the S30 Pro 

S30 Pro package contents

・Case Specifications

In the units I own, the case specifications of the S30 and S30 Pro were different. The standard S30 came in a case with hard internal dividers for protection, structured to hold the body securely. On the other hand, the S30 Pro came in a case made entirely of soft material, designed to wrap the body gently.

The left one is the S30 Pro

In terms of protection performance, the S30 version and the S30 Pro version appear to be equivalent,but the Pro version includes a shoulder strap, and I felt that it offers greater convenience for carrying.

These are simply the details confirmed with the units I own (my S30 was purchased during the early sales period). Since the accessory configuration may vary depending on the shipping source, timing, or lot, the contents may differ depending on when you purchase.
If you purchase the S30 and S30 Pro at the same time now, both may come with the shoulder‑strap version.

・Design Differences Around the Wide‑Angle Lens

When comparing the S30 and S30 Pro, the shape around the wide‑angle lens differs, and differences in the molding can be seen.
On the S30 Pro, the frame shape around the wide‑angle lens appears to have been adjusted. Additionally, the S30 Pro supports night‑scene photography, and improved low‑light performance has been added.
I felt that the design change around the wide‑angle lens was an adjustment to match the significantly wider field of view (FOV).

Differences in Solar Filters (S50 / S30 / S30 Pro)

A solar filter designed specifically for each model is included as standard. The ND filter sheet used appears to be of the same specification. The differences arise in the mounting method and the shape of the frame.

From the left: S50, S30, S30 Pro

S50: Push‑fit Type
The ND filter of the S50 is a push‑fit type. Attachment and removal are easy, but because the frame flexes slightly, I feel uneasy about possibly tearing the ND filter sheet. For that reason, I tend to be cautious when removing it. On the other hand, once attached, it is firmly fixed, so there is almost no worry of it falling off during shooting.

S30: Magnetic Type
The ND filter of the S30 is magnetic, and attachment and removal are extremely smooth. In terms of ease of handling, it is the most comfortable, but because of that, there is a possibility that it may come off if your arm bumps it or if someone who does not understand its function but becomes curious (such as a small child) touches it. Especially during solar imaging, if the filter falls off, it can cause irreversible damage to the main unit, so caution is required.

S30 Pro: Magnetic Type + Also Protects the Wide‑Angle Lens
The S30 Pro is also magnetic, and its usability is the same as the S30. However, the shape of the filter is significantly different, with a structure that also covers the wide‑angle lens side.
It is unclear why it is designed to cover the wide‑angle lens, but it appears to be a different approach from the S30. Nevertheless, since the mounting method is the same magnetic type, the risk of detachment during shooting is considered similar to that of the S30.

Comparison of Solar Imaging (S50 / S30 / S30 Pro)
In this comparison, I placed the S50, S30, and S30 Pro side by side and photographed the Sun at nearly the same time.

There is a major difference between the S30 and S30 Pro in the preview display of the wide‑angle lens in the app.
On the S30, the Sun becomes completely overexposed and blown out.
On the other hand, on the S30 Pro, you can confirm on the screen that the filter is properly blocking the light, resulting in a calm exposure, as if looking at the Sun through sunglasses.

As for why the S30 Pro reduces light even on the wide‑angle lens side, whether it is to suppress blowout or to protect the wide‑angle lens, I do not know.
In any case, the purpose of solar imaging is achieved without issue, and I did not feel any practical difference.

All shooting conditions were set to automatic (full auto including autofocus). Depending on the environment, differences in color and brightness can be seen for each model.

Whether this is due to app settings or differences in the characteristics of the CMOS sensors installed in each Seestar is something I cannot determine.
(It is also possible that there was an issue with my own settings.)
The S30 Pro tends to produce slightly brighter images, but exposure can be adjusted manually. Color tone can also be adjusted according to the observer’s preference.

Next, I recorded approximately one minute of RAW video with each model. The file sizes saved in each unit were as follows:
S50: approx. 1.4 GB
S30: approx. 1 GB
S30 Pro: approx. 2.1 GB
Although there were several to a dozen seconds of variation in recording time, the S30 Pro resulted in about twice the capacity of the S30.
Next, here are the comparison images cropped to the same pixels after performing the same image processing on the recorded RAW videos.

(Image processing used AutoStakkert! 3 (AS!3), Registax, and general PAINT tools.)

As expected, the S50 with the larger aperture showed the most superior detail. Comparing the S30 and S30 Pro, the Sun appears slightly larger on the Pro because its focal length is slightly longer.
Regarding detail, in this comparison, the S30 gives the impression of looking slightly better. This may be influenced by the fact that the S30 Pro’s shooting parameters were a bit too bright.

Summary

In this comparison, I used the S50, S30, and S30 Pro side by side and compared the results for exterior appearance, included accessories, solar filters, and solar imaging.
All three models firmly possess the Seestar appeal of “easily enjoying the stars,” but each has its own individuality in detailed specifications and usability.

The S50 has a large aperture, and its optical performance is directly reflected in the details of the Sun and Moon. Among the three models, it can capture the finest structures, and I felt it is the best choice for those who want to mainly photograph bright celestial bodies such as the Sun and Moon.

On the other hand, the S30 and S30 Pro are attractive for their compactness and ease of handling. While there are no major differences in exterior or accessories, Pro‑specific specifications can be seen in the details.
In particular, the structure of the case and solar filter shows practical differences, but both function without problems and are not decisive drawbacks.

“When limited to targets such as the Sun and the Moon,” the summary becomes very simple:

S50: Most suitable with the highest image quality
S30: Same image quality as S30 Pro, but the FOV is too wide to take advantage of
S30 Pro: Even wider FOV, making it difficult to demonstrate advantages for the Sun and the Moon
From this point alone, the S50 is advantageous for solar and lunar imaging. However, we must not forget the shooting modes that utilize the wide‑angle lens of the S30 Pro.

Especially:
Milky Way Mode, Star Trail Mode
For these wide‑angle lens shooting modes, the S30 Pro becomes the only choice.
For those who want to enjoy wide‑field star photography or nightscape photography, the S30 Pro’s wide‑angle lens is a major attraction.

Overall:

S50 → Ideal for those who want to capture the Sun, Moon, or the Orion Nebula in high resolution, filling the frame. It performs best when you want to capture bright celestial objects or medium‑sized DSOs in high detail.

S30 → Ideal for those who prioritize the balance between price and portability and want to enjoy medium‑sized DSOs. It is easy to handle and offers high cost‑performance, making it a safe choice for a first unit.

S30 Pro → Ideal for those who want to enjoy large DSOs such as the Andromeda Galaxy, or wide‑angle photography (Milky Way, nightscapes, star trails). Its wide‑angle night shooting modes are well developed and offer unique appeal that the S30/S50 cannot replace.
It is also ideal for those in harsh shooting environments or with limited shooting time. In areas with heavy light pollution, capturing a wide field in a short time becomes important. However, Milky Way mode using the wide‑angle lens is limited in effectiveness in urban areas.

I hope this comparison will be helpful for those who want to enjoy solar observation and astrophotography using the Seestar. Thank you very much for reading. Clear Skies!

Photos and review by Masaya Henda (@achi-shanghai), Shanghai, China. All images were taken under Bortle 8–9 urban skies.