From Digital Camera World · · 2m
Vaonis Vespera 3: Luxury Smart Telescope Review
Vaonis Vespera 3 delivers sharp deep-sky images with longer battery life but expensive filters and slow startup.
In brief
Vaonis Vespera 3 delivers sharp deep-sky images with longer battery life but expensive filters and slow startup. The Vaonis Vespera 3 provides better deep-sky photography than its predecessor with improved battery life but lacks built-in filters and EQ mode. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
Digital Camera World Verdict
The Vaonis Vespera 3 is a beautifully designed smart telescope that produces sharp, colorful images of galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, even from light-polluted skies.
Reasons to buy
Sharp, colorful deep-sky images; excellent adjustable tripod; outstanding battery; multi-night imaging.
Reasons to avoid
Very expensive; filters cost extra; slow initial alignment; no EQ mode.
Specifications
Sony IMX585 CMOS sensor, 8.3MP resolution, 50mm aperture, f/4.9 focal ratio, 245mm focal length.
Price
Launched in April 2026 at $2,490 / £2,199 / AU$4,699, significantly more expensive than the Vespera 2.
Design & handling
Curved white body folds closed; includes adjustable aluminum tripod up to 91cm tall; fabric canopy for filters.
Performance
Produces sharp, colorful images of deep-sky objects; multi-night imaging; covalens mosaic feature.
Battery life
Up to 11 hours (manufacturer claim) compared to Vespera 2's 4 hours.
Tripod improvement
Included adjustable aluminum tripod up to 91cm tall improves stability over Vespera 2's short tripod.
Filter system
Requires separate purchase of solar, light-pollution and dual-band filters; no built-in imaging filters.
Startup time
Slow initial alignment process takes over five minutes to complete.
EQ mode
Lacks equatorial tracking mode, a feature some cheaper smart telescopes offer.
Singularity app
Excellent app for star identification, alignment, focusing and image stacking.
Vespera 3 vs Vespera 2
Vespera 3 has improved optics, longer battery life, and better tripod but higher price and no built-in filters.
ZWO Seestar S50 Pro
Cheaper alternative with built-in imaging filters and EQ mode but less premium design.
Verdict
The Vespera 3 is a genuine improvement over the Vesper: sharp images, better battery, but expensive filters and slow startup.
The takeaway
The Vaonis Vespera 3 provides better deep-sky photography than its predecessor with improved battery life but lacks built-in filters and EQ mode.
