Is the Origin faster than the Origin Mark II?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Origin is 1.3× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Origin is 1.2× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Origin Mark II, with its finer pixel scale of 1.23″ per pixel.

Origin vs Origin Mark II: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

Celestron Origin against Celestron Origin Mark II, 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, the Origin is 1.3× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the Origin is 1.2× faster.

Field of view. The Origin shows 1.27° × 0.85° against 1.32° × 0.75°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Origin Mark II needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Origin Mark II samples at 1.23″ per pixel against 1.48″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

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	Origin	Origin Mark II
Aperture	152 mm	152 mm
Focal length	335 mm (f/2.2)	335 mm (f/2.2)
Sensor	Sony IMX178, 6.4 MP	Sony IMX678, 8.4 MP
Pixel size	2.4 µm	2 µm
Pixel scale	1.48″/px	1.23″/px
Field of view	1.27° × 0.85°	1.32° × 0.75°
Sub exposures	10 s, 15 s, 30 s	10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” position	No filter	No filter
Read noise used	1.4 e⁻	0.6 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	Origin	Origin Mark II	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	23 min139 subs	32 min191 subs	Origin 1.4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	5 min30 subs	6 min38 subs	Origin 1.3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	36 min215 subs	49 min295 subs	Origin 1.4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 13 min439 subs	1 h 40 min600 subs	Origin 1.4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	39 min235 subs	54 min322 subs	Origin 1.4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	43 min257 subs	59 min352 subs	Origin 1.4×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Origin	Origin Mark II	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	8 min48 subs	10 min60 subs	Origin 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
North America NebulaEmission nebula	12 min72 subs	15 min88 subs	Origin 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	23 min138 subs	28 min168 subs	Origin 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	13 min78 subs	16 min95 subs	Origin 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	14 min84 subs	17 min103 subs	Origin 1.2×

Try the Origin in the calculator Try the Origin Mark II

About the Celestron Origin

The first-generation Origin: a 6-inch f/2.2 RASA in a smart package and the fastest system here by a wide margin. Superseded by the Mark II in late 2025 and no longer sold new; Celestron offers a camera upgrade to the Mark II sensor.

Where to buy the OriginAmazon UK Amazon USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

About the Celestron Origin Mark II

The Origin Mark II (late 2025): the same 6-inch f/2.2 RASA with an 8 MP IMX678 in place of the original 6 MP IMX178. Smaller pixels for finer detail, a quieter sensor, and still the fastest system here by a wide margin.

Where to buy the Origin Mark IICelestron store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe Celestron 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 · Origin page · Origin Mark II page