Compact Telescopes For Solar Eclipse Photography

Guide to using compact smart telescopes (ZWO Seestar S30/S50, DWARFLAB Dwarf 3) for solar eclipse photography: filters, totality filter removal, comparison,…

Compact smart telescopes such as the ZWO Seestar S30 and S50, and the DWARFLAB Dwarf 3, have made solar photography far more accessible. They combine a small telescope, camera, computerised mount and smartphone control in one portable unit. For eclipse observers, this means less equipment to carry and less time spent manually finding, focusing and tracking the Sun.

However, these instruments are not completely automatic in the way a conventional camera might be. Safe operation, careful planning and correct filter use remain essential — the same principles covered in our eclipse photography guide and eye protection guide .

What They Can Capture

During the partial phases of an eclipse, these telescopes can produce clear images of the solar disc, including sunspots and the progressively larger “bite” taken out of the Sun by the Moon. Their relatively short focal lengths provide a manageable field of view, making it easier to keep the Sun centred than with a long telephoto lens or large telescope.

The Seestar S50 has the largest aperture of the three, at 50 mm, followed by the Dwarf 3 at 35 mm and the S30 at 30 mm. The larger aperture can provide slightly better resolution and a brighter image, particularly when recording sunspots.

They are best understood as compact white-light solar imaging systems. A standard solar filter shows the visible surface, or photosphere, but does not provide the specialised views produced by hydrogen-alpha solar telescopes. Consequently, users should not expect detailed prominences and filaments during ordinary, unfiltered solar observation.

Safety Comes First

The most important rule is simple: never point an unfiltered telescope at the Sun. Even a small objective lens concentrates enough sunlight to cause permanent eye damage and can also harm the camera sensor or internal components.

For every partial or annular phase, a certified solar filter must be securely fitted over the front of the telescope, ahead of the objective lens. A filter placed behind the optics is unsafe because concentrated sunlight reaches the telescope before it is attenuated. The American Astronomical Society specifically warns that unfiltered telescopes and binoculars must not be used during partial phases or annular eclipses.

The filter should be checked before the session for tears, gaps, loose fittings or damage. Do not rely on improvised materials such as ordinary photographic filters, neutral-density filters or exposed film. The dedicated solar accessories supplied or approved by the manufacturer are the appropriate starting point, provided they are correctly attached.

Behaviour During Totality

A total solar eclipse is different because the Moon completely covers the bright solar photosphere during totality. This is the brief interval when the solar corona can be photographed without a solar filter. NASA explains that the corona is dramatically fainter than the photosphere, so a filter would block much of the detail photographers are trying to record.

This creates a practical challenge with compact smart telescopes. The operator must remove the front solar filter at the correct moment after totality begins, then replace it before the photosphere reappears. Removing it too early is dangerous; replacing it too late can expose the camera and the observer to intense sunlight.

The safest approach is to practise the procedure beforehand, use a written timing plan and treat the filter as a physical safety control rather than an optional accessory. During totality, the telescope can record the corona, while a separate camera may capture the wider landscape, shadow and human reaction.

Comparing the Three Telescopes

The table below lists the telephoto optical path used for solar and close-up imaging. All three instruments also include a separate wide-angle camera for framing and panorama work, but eclipse photography relies on the main objective.

Specifications are taken from manufacturer data for the telephoto channel. The S50 offers the largest aperture and longest native focal length among current models; the Dwarf 3 records the highest pixel count; the S30 is the most compact of the three. The S50 Pro row reflects expected specifications reported ahead of a possible late-2026 launch — ZWO has confirmed development at NEAF 2026, but final specs are not yet official.

Seestar S50 Pro — expected late 2026

Preparing for the Eclipse

Preparation is more important than advanced photographic technique. Several days before the eclipse, charge the telescope, phone and backup power bank. Update the control application, check storage capacity and confirm that the device can connect reliably to its local wireless network.

• Practise finding the Sun with the filter already installed.
• Centre the Sun, confirm focus and learn how the application starts and stops recording.
• Do not leave this procedure until eclipse morning, when bright sunlight, crowds and time pressure can make small problems surprisingly difficult.
• Use a sturdy tripod — automatic tracking still benefits from a stable platform that reduces vibration and makes filter handling safer.
• Select a position with an unobstructed view, but avoid placing equipment where people may accidentally bump the tripod or touch the filter.

Exposure and Image Quality

The bright partial phases require short exposures. Automatic exposure can work well, but it is sensible to test the image beforehand and check that the solar disc is not clipped to a featureless white circle. If manual controls are available, preserve some surface detail rather than maximising brightness.

Totality requires a different strategy. The corona has a wide range of brightness, from the bright inner region near the Moon to faint outer streamers. One exposure cannot normally record all of it perfectly. Capturing a sequence of exposures at different settings gives more flexibility for later processing, such as combining images into a high-dynamic-range composite.

Smart telescopes often apply automatic processing, which is convenient for quick sharing but may reduce control over the final result. If the application allows original frames or videos to be saved, retain them. They can be processed later using tools such as stacking, sharpening and selective contrast adjustment.

Their Best Role

Compact telescopes are excellent for a simple, repeatable record of the eclipse. They are especially useful for beginners, family groups and expedition photographers who need equipment that can be set up quickly. Their automated tracking also lets the observer spend more time watching the event rather than constantly adjusting a mount.

They are less suitable when the goal is a highly detailed, publication-quality close-up of the corona. A larger telescope, dedicated astronomy camera and carefully planned exposure sequence can produce more information, while a conventional camera with a suitable telephoto lens may provide a wider and more natural-looking composition. For expedition-grade workflows, see our photo expedition guide .

Used responsibly, the Seestar S30, Seestar S50 and Dwarf 3 offer a practical middle ground: more capable than a phone, much simpler than a traditional astrophotography rig and compact enough for eclipse travel. Their greatest advantage is not ultimate resolution, but the ability to produce useful solar images with modest equipment and a carefully rehearsed workflow.