Is the Seestar S30 Pro faster than the Vespera 3?

From a Bortle 6 sky they are about the same speed on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Vespera 3 is 1.4× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Vespera 3, with its finer pixel scale of 2.44″ per pixel.

Seestar S30 Pro vs Vespera 3: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro against Vaonis Vespera 3, on the same targets from the same skies, using the same photon-budget model as the rest of the site. Times are for a solid image; the calculator gives quick-look and showpiece figures too.

Speed. Across the 30 most popular targets from a suburban Bortle 6 sky, they are about the same speed. From a rural Bortle 3 sky the Vespera 3 is 1.4× faster.

Field of view. The Seestar S30 Pro shows 3.99° × 2.24° against 2.60° × 1.46°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Vespera 3 needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Vespera 3 samples at 2.44″ per pixel against 3.74″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The Seestar S30 Pro goes up to 60 s subs in EQ mode, the Vespera 3 tops out at 30 s. That matters little from a city, where skyglow sets the floor, and a lot from a dark site, where read noise does.

Filters. The Seestar S30 Pro has a dual-band filter built in; the Vespera 3 does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	Seestar S30 Pro	Vespera 3
Aperture	30 mm	50 mm
Focal length	160 mm (f/5.3)	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	3.74″/px	2.44″/px
Field of view	3.99° × 2.24°	2.60° × 1.46°
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s	10 s, 20 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (LP filter)	Clip-on option (Dual Band filter)
“No filter” position	UV/IR-cut	No filter
Read noise used	1 e⁻	1 e⁻

Timed on the same targets

Suburban sky (Bortle 6)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 6 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Seestar S30 Pro	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 41 min609 subs	1 h 24 min502 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	15 min89 subs	16 min98 subs	Seestar S30 Pro 1.1×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 43 min619 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	Seestar S30 Pro 1.3×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	5 h 21 min1,927 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min49 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 52 min674 subs	2 h 21 min849 subs	Seestar S30 Pro 1.3×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min51 subs	7 min43 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×
PleiadesReflection nebula	3 h 08 min1,127 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Seestar S30 Pro	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	40 min243 subs	32 min193 subs	Vespera 3 1.3×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min70 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 1.6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 14 min443 subs	48 min290 subs	Vespera 3 1.5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	2 h722 subs	1 h 35 min569 subs	Vespera 3 1.3×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min42 subs	5 min30 subs	Vespera 3 1.4×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 20 min481 subs	52 min315 subs	Vespera 3 1.5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 12 min433 subs	57 min343 subs	Vespera 3 1.3×

Try the Seestar S30 Pro in the calculator Try the Vespera 3

About the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

The S30 optics upgraded to a quadruplet in front of an 8 MP IMX585. Same speed per pixel as the S30, four times the pixels, so you can crop hard.

Where to buy the Seestar S30 ProZWO store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe ZWO store link is a plain link; the others are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

About the Vaonis Vespera 3

The 2026 Vespera: same 50 mm quadruplet class as the II on an 8 MP IMX585, with a 24 MP mosaic mode and 11 hours of battery. Per pixel it behaves like a Seestar S50 Pro without the built-in dual-band filter.

Where to buy the Vespera 3Vaonis store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe Vaonis store link is a plain link; the others are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Other comparisons

All comparisons · Buying guide · Seestar S30 Pro page · Vespera 3 page