How Many Subs

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

DwarfLab DWARF II against Celestron Origin, 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 11× 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 14× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF II shows 3.19° × 1.79° against 1.27° × 0.85°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Origin needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Origin samples at 1.48″ 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 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

SpecDWARF IIOrigin
Aperture24 mm152 mm
Focal length100 mm (f/4.2)335 mm (f/2.2)
SensorSony IMX415, 8.3 MPSony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size1.45 µm2.4 µm
Pixel scale2.99″/px1.48″/px
Field of view3.19° × 1.79°1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures15 s10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filterNoneDrawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” positionAstroNo filter
Read noise used1.2 e⁻1.4 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.
TargetDWARF IIOriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy4 h 59 min1,198 subs23 min139 subsOrigin 13×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula57 min228 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 11×
North America NebulaEmission nebula7 h 45 min1,860 subs36 min215 subsOrigin 13×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy16 h3,817 subs1 h 13 min439 subsOrigin 13×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula25 min101 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant8 h 29 min2,035 subs39 min235 subsOrigin 13×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster24 min97 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 5×
PleiadesReflection nebula9 h 16 min2,225 subs43 min257 subsOrigin 13×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargetDWARF IIOriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy2 h 31 min603 subs8 min48 subsOrigin 19×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula31 min126 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula3 h 50 min922 subs12 min72 subsOrigin 19×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy7 h 44 min1,856 subs23 min138 subsOrigin 20×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula16 min64 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant4 h 11 min1,006 subs13 min78 subsOrigin 20×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster14 min57 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 2.8×
PleiadesReflection nebula4 h 34 min1,097 subs14 min84 subsOrigin 20×

Try the DWARF II in the calculator Try the Origin

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 UKAmazon USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

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 UKAmazon USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Other comparisons

DWARF II

Origin

All comparisons · Buying guide · DWARF II page · Origin page