After pre-ordering the S50 after it was announced, a buddy in Ohio cajoled me into pre-ordering the S30. The S30 arrived about 10-11 days ago and I've had the opportunity to set-up both, side-by-side, on 3 nights running one with my iPad & the other with the iPh.
I have my own very preliminary thoughts and I wonder if anyone else here has done the same preliminary comparison?
S30: $350
S50: $499
+ S30: more portable (tiny)
+ S30: Camera Sensor - lower noise, less imaging time per object
+ S30: Larger FOV - great for large DSOs
+ S30: quicker to do a mosaic
+S30: Wide Angle lens makes it great for terrestrial imaging (wildlife, landscapes, city skylines ...)
+ S50: Camera Sensor - greater resolution =?more detail (in side-by-side comparisons)
+ S50: 50mm vs 30mm aperture means more light gathering power
Though I give more (+)s to the S30, the S50 (+)s IMO have greater weight than most of the S30 (+)s. I'm frankly undecided if I prefer one over the other but if you force me to choose, I'd probably lean S50.
Very preliminary?...
I figured that after playing with both, I'd decide to keep one & flip or gift the other. It's too soon, but given their cost vs. utility I just may keep both and eventually gift the?S50 after [& assuming] the S50 is updated and/or offered in a larger?aperture? ?
For $350 or $499, you can't go wrong.
