Seestar S30 in EQ Mode

In recent years, the field of amateur astronomy has witnessed a transformative shift, largely due to the advent of smart telescopes. These devices have revolutionized the way enthusiasts engage with the night sky, offering a blend of advanced optics, integrated imaging sensors, and user-friendly interfaces. Among the frontrunners in this domain is ZWO, a company renowned for its innovative approach to astrophotography equipment. Their Seestar series, particularly the S30 model, has garnered attention for making deep-sky imaging more accessible to a broader audience.

Seestar S30 in EQ Mode: A new era for accessible deep sky imaging and the fight against light pollution

The Seestar S30, introduced in late 2024, epitomizes the concept of a compact, all-in-one smart telescope. Weighing just 1.65 kg and featuring a 30 mm aperture with a 150 mm focal length, it combines portability with performance. Its apochromatic triplet lens ensures sharp, color-accurate images, while the built-in Sony IMX662 sensor captures high-quality visuals. The integration of a 64 GB internal storage and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity further enhances its appeal, allowing users to capture and share their celestial observations with ease.

Building upon the success of the S30, ZWO recently unveiled the Seestar S30 Pro at the North-East Astronomy Forum (NEAF) 2025. This new iteration retains the compact form factor of its predecessor but introduces significant enhancements aimed at both novice and seasoned astrophotographers. The S30 Pro is equipped with a quadruplet apochromatic lens, offering improved optical performance and reduced chromatic aberration. Additionally, it features an upgraded Sony IMX585 sensor, capable of 4K imaging, and a secondary 48 MP wide-angle camera, expanding its versatility for capturing expansive night sky vistas.

One of the standout features of the Seestar S30 Pro is its substantial increase in internal storage capacity, boasting 256 GB to accommodate the higher resolution images and extended imaging sessions. The inclusion of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology facilitates swift and seamless pairing with smartphones, complementing its existing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. These advancements underscore ZWO's commitment to enhancing user experience through technological innovation.

The Seestar S30 Pro also introduces specialized imaging modes, such as Milky Way and star trail photography, catering to users interested in wide-field astrophotography. Its design supports both alt-azimuth and equatorial mounting, the latter requiring an additional wedge or ball head, providing flexibility for various observational needs. Despite these enhancements, the S30 Pro maintains the lightweight and portable characteristics that made the original S30 a favorite among astronomy enthusiasts.

Anticipation for the Seestar S30 Pro's release is high, with expectations set for pre-orders to commence in mid-2025 and deliveries by the end of the year. While pricing details remain unconfirmed, projections suggest a range between $500 and $600, positioning it competitively within the smart telescope market. This pricing strategy aims to balance affordability with the advanced features introduced in the Pro model.

The introduction of the Seestar S30 Pro signifies a notable advancement in smart telescope technology, reflecting ZWO's dedication to making astrophotography more accessible and enjoyable. By combining enhanced optical components, superior imaging sensors, and user-centric features, the S30 Pro is poised to attract a diverse user base, from beginners seeking an intuitive entry point to experienced astronomers desiring a portable yet powerful observational tool.

As the landscape of amateur astronomy continues to evolve, the Seestar series exemplifies the potential of integrating cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design. The forthcoming S30 Pro, with its array of improvements, stands as a testament to the ongoing innovation in the field, promising to enrich the stargazing experiences of enthusiasts around the globe.

Seestar S30 All-in-One Smart Telescope specifications

• Product model: Seestar S30
• Sensor:
• Telephoto: IMX662
• Specific sensor for wide-angle lens
• Resolution:
• Telephoto: 1080 x 1920
• Wide-angle: 1920 x 1080
• Aperture: 30 mm
• Focal ratio: f/5
• Focal length: 150 mm
• Optical lens: Apochromatic triplet
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Transmission Mode:
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi 5G / 2.4G
• USB Type-C
• Working temperature: -10°C to 40°C (Recommended)
• Mount type: Alt-azimuth
• Slew rate: 1X – 1440X
• Zero position: Mechanical
• Battery capacity: 6000 mAh
• Connection port: 3/8-16 inch
• Net weight: 1.65 kg
• Power input: Type-C
• Wi-Fi reset: Supported
• Size: 210 mm x 140 mm x 80 mm
• Charging temperature: 0°C to 40°C
• Wi-Fi range: ≤ 10 meters
• Bluetooth range: ≤ 5 meters
• Working distance: 6 meters to infinity
   

Note: Transmission tests were performed in unobstructed areas.

Brent Halls first look at real-world imaging with the Seestar S30: Setup, EQ Mode, and live stacking in action

Brent Hall's video about the Seestar S30 smart telescope captures his first extended experience with the compact, all-in-one astrophotography device. The video is a personal, informal walkthrough where Brent combines enthusiasm, hands-on setup tips, and an honest look at the capabilities and quirks of the telescope. Though not sponsored, the unit was sent to him months earlier, and this episode documents not only his initial setup and impressions but also deeper experimentation with equatorial mounting and the results of multi-night imaging sessions.

He opens the video with excitement, expressing how long it’s been since he’s recorded an “Astro episode” and how thrilled he is to finally be out under dark skies. Brent lives in a region with Bortle 2 skies, which means incredibly dark conditions perfect for deep-sky astrophotography. He introduces the Seestar S30, a smart telescope with a built-in motorized lens system, internal filters, and app-based control. One of the unique advantages of the delay in filming this video is that a new firmware update recently enabled equatorial mounting capabilities, something Brent was eager to try.

The Seestar S30 comes in a compact hard case with a small tripod. Though Brent doesn’t usually use the included tripod because of its low height, he appreciates the inclusion. Instead, he opts for a sturdier regular tripod, especially necessary when mounting the Seestar on an equatorial wedge. He explains that by default the Seestar operates in alt-azimuth (altaz) mode, tracking objects by rotating around two perpendicular axes. This works fine for casual viewing or short exposures but introduces field rotation, which distorts long-exposure images.

Brent takes time to explain the concept of field rotation to new users. In altaz mode, as the telescope tracks the sky, stars appear to rotate in the field of view over time. This becomes a problem for astrophotography, especially during long sessions or exposures. The solution is equatorial mounting, which aligns the telescope with the Earth's axis of rotation. Brent mentions he’s at a latitude of 32 degrees, so he aligns the scope’s wedge to that angle and points it toward the North Star (Polaris) for accurate polar alignment.

Before diving into equatorial mounting, he demonstrates the simplicity of the Seestar in altaz mode. Launching the app, he browses through recommended targets and manually selects the Rosette Nebula, a faint emission nebula that he had previously imaged. The telescope interface displays detailed information, including the object’s current altitude, recommended filters, and visibility timeline. The Seestar S30 has a built-in dual-band filter which the software intelligently suggests using or disabling based on the object. For the Rosette, it recommends using the filter.

Brent initiates a go-to sequence, and the telescope slews to the target. However, he quickly notices something is off—the telescope appears to point in the wrong direction. This is due to the mount still being set to equatorial mode while sitting flat like an altaz mount. He demonstrates how easy it is to switch back in the app, which automatically recalibrates the device to altaz mode and repeats the slew to the Rosette. This time, the scope points correctly, and the software begins its auto-calibration and focusing process.

As the session progresses, Brent praises the Seestar’s ability to autofocus and stack images in real-time. The app captures a series of 10-second exposures and stacks them live, gradually building up a visible image on screen. He emphasizes how useful this is for beginners: being able to see deep-sky objects like nebulae taking shape without knowing anything about astrophotography settings or post-processing is highly motivating. Watching the live stack accumulate feels like magic, even to him as someone familiar with traditional astro workflows.

Brent does caution viewers not to exceed 10-second exposures unless they’re using the equatorial mount. Without it, field rotation will ruin longer exposures. As he lets the Seestar gather more frames of the Rosette Nebula, he shares that he plans to switch to equatorial mode soon and collect more hours over multiple nights for a deeper final result.

After letting the Seestar run for about two minutes, Brent stops the session and previews the automatically edited JPEG. The app provides both a processed JPEG and raw files. Though the in-app edits are decent and beginner-friendly, Brent notes they don’t compare to his own processing of the raw files in software like Deep Sky Stacker and Photoshop. He showcases a previous hour-long Rosette capture done under dark skies and compares it to the two-minute stack, showing how exposure time dramatically increases detail and signal quality.

Seestar S30 EQ mode

As the video transitions, Brent sets up a time-lapse and prepares for polar alignment. He heads to his rooftop tent, checking on the telescope remotely while lying warm inside. This is a major perk for him—being able to sleep comfortably while the Seestar continues imaging is one of the biggest conveniences of smart telescopes. After about 90 minutes of integration time, he sees that the Rosette is now only seven degrees above the horizon. Knowing it’s about to set, he stops the session and plans to add more data the next night.

Back at his computer, Brent demonstrates how he edits the data collected over several nights. He compares raw stacked files from Deep Sky Stacker to the app’s automatic JPEGs. The difference is significant—his edits are much more detailed and refined. He walks through his basic post-processing steps: stacking, stretching, star removal, dodge and burn, and finally saturation adjustments. The result is a vibrant, detailed image of the Rosette Nebula that far surpasses the single-night shots.

Brent shares other images taken with the Seestar as well. His Orion Nebula project was the first he tackled with this telescope. After stacking multiple nights of data, he achieved a sharp and colorful final image. He shows how the initial stacked TIFF compared to the Seestar’s own JPEG output and explains the improvements he made in editing. He also shares an image of the Horsehead Nebula, which came out exceptionally well, showing great detail and color after just a few hours of total integration. Finally, he presents his Andromeda Galaxy image, which though captured in under two hours, turned out very well and offers a good idea of the Seestar’s field of view.

To Brent, the Seestar S30 is far more than a temporary review unit. It’s now a permanent part of his astrophotography kit. He sees it as ideal for two types of people. First, total beginners. The app is intuitive, the telescope is easy to set up, and the internal filters and autofocusing remove the traditional barriers that make astrophotography intimidating. For someone who’s never done deep sky imaging, this device is a game changer.

The second group includes astrophotographers like himself who primarily shoot wide-field landscapes or use mirrorless cameras with trackers. For someone already familiar with the astro world, the Seestar provides a lightweight, portable, and powerful supplement to a more complex setup. It can operate independently while a main rig is capturing another target, and it's compact enough to keep in a vehicle for spontaneous sessions.

Brent praises the internal filters, the built-in go-to mount, the fast setup time, and the dual-mode support for both altaz and equatorial tracking. For the price, he believes it's unmatched, especially when considering how expensive deep-sky astrophotography typically gets. The Seestar takes much of the financial and technical burden off the table, making high-quality imaging accessible without compromising too much on flexibility or results.

As he wraps up, Brent reiterates that he’s genuinely excited to continue using the Seestar S30. He plans to take it everywhere during the upcoming Milky Way season and beyond. He envisions imaging targets like the Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae while out camping or traveling. He gives thanks to ZWO for sending the unit, expresses hope that his video helps others consider if it's right for them, and signs off with an invitation to subscribe and explore more of his astrophotography content.

Ultimately, Brent Hall’s video is not just a review—it’s a testament to how smart telescope technology has matured. Devices like the Seestar S30 are removing the barriers that once made astrophotography inaccessible. Whether you're a newcomer looking to get your first glimpse of the cosmos, or an experienced shooter seeking convenience and portability, the Seestar offers real potential. Through Brent’s lens, the Seestar S30 emerges as a reliable and surprisingly powerful tool that fits neatly into both beginner and advanced astrophotography workflows.

I tried using a budget smart scpoe for astrophotography. It was not what I expected.

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