Is the Vespera 3 faster than the Vespera Pro 2?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Vespera 3 is 2.2× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Vespera 3 is 2.3× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Vespera Pro 2, with its finer pixel scale of 1.68″ per pixel.

Vespera 3 vs Vespera Pro 2: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

Vaonis Vespera 3 against Vaonis Vespera Pro 2, 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, the Vespera 3 is 2.2× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the Vespera 3 is 2.3× faster.

Field of view. The Vespera 3 shows 2.60° × 1.46° against 1.65° × 1.65°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Vespera Pro 2 needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Vespera Pro 2 samples at 1.68″ per pixel against 2.44″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. Both top out at 30 s subs, so neither has an edge at read-noise-limited dark sites.

Filters. Neither has a built-in dual-band filter, so emission nebulae from a lit sky are slow going on both.

Specifications side by side

Spec	Vespera 3	Vespera Pro 2
Aperture	50 mm	50 mm
Focal length	245 mm (f/4.9)	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX676, 12.5 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2 µm
Pixel scale	2.44″/px	1.68″/px
Field of view	2.60° × 1.46°	1.65° × 1.65°
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s	10 s, 20 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Clip-on option (Dual Band filter)	Clip-on option (Dual Band filter)
“No filter” position	No filter	No filter
Read noise used	1 e⁻	0.8 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	Vespera 3	Vespera Pro 2	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 24 min502 subs	3 h 07 min1,121 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	16 min98 subs	36 min217 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 09 min777 subs	4 h 49 min1,736 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	9 h 52 min3,552 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min45 subs	16 min99 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	2 h 21 min849 subs	5 h 16 min1,898 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	7 min43 subs	15 min93 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 35 min928 subs	5 h 46 min2,075 subs	Vespera 3 2.2×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Vespera 3	Vespera Pro 2	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	32 min193 subs	1 h 19 min472 subs	Vespera 3 2.4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	7 min45 subs	17 min105 subs	Vespera 3 2.4×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	48 min290 subs	1 h 59 min713 subs	Vespera 3 2.5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 35 min569 subs	3 h 56 min1,414 subs	Vespera 3 2.5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min30 subs	10 min59 subs	Vespera 3 1.9×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	52 min315 subs	2 h 09 min776 subs	Vespera 3 2.5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	8 min50 subs	Vespera 3 1.6×
PleiadesReflection nebula	57 min343 subs	2 h 21 min845 subs	Vespera 3 2.5×

Try the Vespera 3 in the calculator Try the Vespera Pro 2

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.

About the Vaonis Vespera Pro 2

The square-sensor 2026 Vespera with 2 µm pixels. Sharper than the Vespera 3 on small targets and correspondingly slower per pixel; the 12.5 MP square frame suits galaxies and planetaries.

Where to buy the Vespera Pro 2Vaonis 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 · Vespera 3 page · Vespera Pro 2 page