Comparison
DWARF 3 vs Seestar S30 Pro: Which Small Smart Telescope?
The two most popular small smart telescopes compared: sensor, lens, filters, EQ mode, battery, weight, what's in the box and what reviewers found, for $549 and $699.
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Our pick
Seestar
Seestar S30 Pro
7.7/10 research score1/1.2-inch 4K sensor, 4K wide camera, anti-dew control and a tripod, for $699.
Dwarflab
DWARF 3
7.6/10 research score35 mm lens, 10,000 mAh battery, three filters and a solar filter, for $549 (tripod extra).
The short answer
The Seestar S30 Pro is the better telescope for most people: a larger 1/1.2-inch 4K sensor, a 4K wide-angle camera, anti-dew control, an easier app and a tripod in the box. The DWARF 3 is $150 cheaper with a slightly larger lens, a bigger battery and a lighter body, and suits buyers who want the most hardware for the money.
The DWARF 3 and Seestar S30 Pro are the two small smart telescopes most people shortlist. Both weigh under 4 lb, have telephoto and wide-angle cameras, built-in dual-band filters, EQ mode with 60-second exposures and 128 GB storage. We compared the makers' specs and independent reviews; we have not tested them ourselves. See how we research.
Specs side by side
| Spec | DWARF 3 | Seestar S30 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture / focal length | 35 / 150 mm | 30 / 160 mm |
| Telephoto sensor | Sony IMX678, 1/1.8", 8 MP | Sony IMX585, 1/1.2", 8.3 MP |
| Field of view (telephoto) | 3.38° diagonal | 4.6° |
| Wide-angle camera | 2 MP | 4K (8.3 MP), 63° |
| Built-in filters | VIS, astro, dual-band (OIII 20 nm / Hα 12 nm) | UV/IR-cut, duo-band (OIII 30 nm / Hα 20 nm), dark |
| Longest exposure | 60 s (EQ mode) | 60 s (EQ mode, TH10 head needed) |
| Anti-dew | Internal heat directed to lens | Active anti-dew control |
| Battery | 10,000 mAh, up to 5.5 h measured | 6,000 mAh, about 6 h (lab) |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Weight | 1.35 kg (3 lb) | 1.65 kg (3.6 lb) |
| In the box | Solar filter, bag | Tripod, solar filter, case |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years (battery 1 year) |
| Price | $549 | $699 |
Specs from dwarflab.com and seestar.com, checked October 17, 2026.
Image quality
Both use modern Sony Starvis-class sensors at about 8 MP, but the S30 Pro's 1/1.2-inch chip is much larger, which gives it a wider 4.6° field and more room to crop. The DWARF 3's 35 mm lens collects about a third more light than the S30 Pro's 30 mm. AstroBackyard called the S30 Pro "the best smart telescope I've tested yet"; Digital Camera World found the DWARF 3 delivers "strong deep-sky, solar and lunar images". Neither is a planetary scope.
Ease of use
The Seestar app is the more polished, and ZWO's community is larger. The DWARF 3's reviews flag connection trouble: Digital Camera World said connectivity issues "dogged early review sessions", and T3 had to switch off its phone's Wi-Fi to connect consistently. Once connected, both handle GoTo, focus and stacking automatically.
EQ mode
Both reach 60-second exposures in EQ mode. ZWO says the S30 Pro needs a compatible head such as the $99 TH10. Dwarflab publishes an EQ mode setup video for the DWARF 3, and Galactic Hunter found its polar alignment took "a couple of minutes".
Price and extras
The DWARF 3 is $150 cheaper but needs a tripod (Dwarflab's is $89). The S30 Pro includes a tabletop tripod and case. For EQ mode, add the TH10 head to the S30 Pro. Over the full kit, the price gap narrows.
Which should you buy?
- Seestar S30 Pro for the bigger sensor, wider field, easier app, anti-dew control and a complete kit. Read the review.
- DWARF 3 for the lowest price, a slightly bigger lens and battery, and the lightest body. Read the review.
Also compare: DWARF 3 vs Seestar S50 and S50 Pro and DWARF 3 vs DWARF mini.
| Spec | Seestar Seestar S30 Pro | Dwarflab DWARF 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Research score | 7.7/10 research score | 7.6/10 research score |
| List price | $699 | $549 |
| Optics | ||
| Aperture | 30 mm | 35 mm (best) |
| Focal length | 160 mm (best) | 150 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/5.3 | f/4.3 (best) |
| Optics | 4-element apochromatic lens with ED glass | Apochromatic dual-camera lens group |
| Field of view | 4.6° (telephoto), 63° (wide-angle) | 3.38° diagonal (telephoto), 50.6° (wide-angle) |
| Camera | ||
| Image sensor | Sony IMX585 | Sony IMX678 Starvis 2, 1/1.8 in |
| Sensor resolution | 8.3 MP (best) | 8 MP |
| Pixel size | Not published | 2 µm |
| Wide-angle camera | Yes | Yes |
| RAW / FITS files | Yes | Yes |
| Filters and imaging | ||
| Light-pollution filter | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in filters | UV/IR-cut, duo-band (OIII/Hα), dark-frame | VIS, astro (IR-extended), dual-band (OIII/Hα) |
| Solar filter included | Yes | Yes |
| Longest single exposure | 60 s | 60 s |
| Mount and tracking | ||
| Equatorial mode | Yes | Yes |
| Field derotation | Not published | No |
| Autofocus | Yes | Not published |
| Dew heater | Yes | Not published |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Power and storage | ||
| Battery life | 6 h (best) | 5.5 h |
| Battery capacity | 6,000 mAh | 10,000 mAh (best) |
| Built-in storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz (up to 10 m), Bluetooth (up to 5 m), USB-C | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (up to 20 m) |
| Size and warranty | ||
| Weight | 3.64 lb | 2.98 lb (best) |
| Dimensions | 210 × 140 × 80 mm | 222 × 142 × 65 mm |
| Operating temperature | -10 °C to 40 °C (recommended) | -10 °C to 45 °C |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Where to buy | Check price at Seestar (opens in a new tab) | Check price at Dwarflab (opens in a new tab) |
Frequently asked questions
Is the DWARF 3 or Seestar S30 Pro better for beginners?
Which is more portable?
Which has better image quality?
Sources
Specs, prices and claims in this article come from these sources.
- Seestar S30 Pro specifications · ZWO Seestar · accessed Oct 17, 2026
- Seestar S30 Pro FAQ · ZWO Seestar · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- DWARF 3 product page and specifications · Dwarflab · accessed Oct 17, 2026
- Seestar S30 Pro review · AstroBackyard · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- DwarfLab Dwarf 3 smart telescope review · Digital Camera World · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- DwarfLab Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope review · T3 · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- DWARF 3 review · Galactic Hunter · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- DWARF 3 Help Center (EQ Mode setup guide) · Dwarflab · accessed Oct 18, 2026
Written by
SmartTelescopes editorial team
Research and editing
The SmartTelescopes editorial team researches smart telescopes from manufacturer documents, published measurements and owner reports.
