Is the DWARF II faster than the Origin Mark II?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Origin Mark II is 8× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Origin Mark II is 12× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

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

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

DwarfLab DWARF II 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 Mark II is 8× 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 Mark II is 12× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF II shows 3.19° × 1.79° 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 2.99″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The Origin Mark II goes up to 30 s subs in EQ mode, the DWARF II tops out at 15 s. That matters little from a city, where skyglow sets the floor, and a lot from a dark site, where read noise does.

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	DWARF II	Origin Mark II
Aperture	24 mm	152 mm
Focal length	100 mm (f/4.2)	335 mm (f/2.2)
Sensor	Sony IMX415, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX678, 8.4 MP
Pixel size	1.45 µm	2 µm
Pixel scale	2.99″/px	1.23″/px
Field of view	3.19° × 1.79°	1.32° × 0.75°
Sub exposures	15 s	10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	None	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” position	Astro	No filter
Read noise used	1.2 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	DWARF II	Origin Mark II	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 59 min1,198 subs	32 min191 subs	Origin Mark II 9×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	57 min228 subs	6 min38 subs	Origin Mark II 9×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	7 h 45 min1,860 subs	49 min295 subs	Origin Mark II 9×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	16 h3,817 subs	1 h 40 min600 subs	Origin Mark II 10×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	25 min101 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin Mark II 5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	8 h 29 min2,035 subs	54 min322 subs	Origin Mark II 9×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	24 min97 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin Mark II 5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	9 h 16 min2,225 subs	59 min352 subs	Origin Mark II 9×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	DWARF II	Origin Mark II	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 31 min603 subs	10 min60 subs	Origin Mark II 15×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	31 min126 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin Mark II 6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	3 h 50 min922 subs	15 min88 subs	Origin Mark II 16×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	7 h 44 min1,856 subs	28 min168 subs	Origin Mark II 17×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	16 min64 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin Mark II 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	4 h 11 min1,006 subs	16 min95 subs	Origin Mark II 16×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	14 min57 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin Mark II 2.8×
PleiadesReflection nebula	4 h 34 min1,097 subs	17 min103 subs	Origin Mark II 16×

Try the DWARF II in the calculator Try the Origin Mark II

About the DwarfLab DWARF II

The original pocket scope. 24 mm aperture and tiny 1.45 µm pixels mean it is slow per pixel, so bin or downsample and be patient.

Where to buy the DWARF IIAmazon 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 · DWARF II page · Origin Mark II page