Is the Vespera II 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 1.1× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

Neither has a meaningful advantage; their pixel scales are similar.

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

Vaonis Vespera II 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 1.1× faster.

Field of view. Both frame 2.6° or so on the long side, so they suit the same targets.

Detail. Pixel scales are within 10% of each other, so neither has a real detail advantage.

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 II	Vespera 3
Aperture	50 mm	50 mm
Focal length	250 mm (f/5.0)	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	2.39″/px	2.44″/px
Field of view	2.55° × 1.44°	2.60° × 1.46°
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⁻	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	Vespera II	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min525 subs	1 h 24 min502 subs	Same
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	17 min103 subs	16 min98 subs	Same
North America NebulaEmission nebula	2 h 15 min813 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	Same
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 37 min1,661 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	Same
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min47 subs	7 min45 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	2 h 28 min889 subs	2 h 21 min849 subs	Same
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	7 min44 subs	7 min43 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 42 min971 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	Same

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Vespera II	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min204 subs	32 min193 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	8 min47 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	51 min306 subs	48 min290 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 40 min602 subs	1 h 35 min569 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	55 min333 subs	52 min315 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h362 subs	57 min343 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×

Try the Vespera II in the calculator Try the Vespera 3

About the Vaonis Vespera II

A 50 mm quadruplet on an 8 MP sensor with Vaonis’s mosaic mode for wide fields. Same optics class as the Seestar S50, four times the pixels.

Where to buy the Vespera IIVaonis 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 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 · Vespera II page · Vespera 3 page