Is the DWARF II faster than the Vespera 3?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Vespera 3 is 3× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Vespera 3 is 4× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Vespera 3, with its finer pixel scale of 2.44″ per pixel.

DWARF II vs Vespera 3: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

DwarfLab DWARF II against Vaonis Vespera 3, 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 Vespera 3 is 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 Vespera 3 is 4× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF II shows 3.19° × 1.79° against 2.60° × 1.46°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Vespera 3 needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Vespera 3 samples at 2.44″ per pixel against 2.99″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The Vespera 3 goes up to 30 s subs in Expert 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	Vespera 3
Aperture	24 mm	50 mm
Focal length	100 mm (f/4.2)	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX415, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP
Pixel size	1.45 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	2.99″/px	2.44″/px
Field of view	3.19° × 1.79°	2.60° × 1.46°
Sub exposures	15 s	10 s, 20 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	None	Clip-on option (Dual Band filter)
“No filter” position	Astro	No filter
Read noise used	1.2 e⁻	1 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	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 59 min1,198 subs	1 h 24 min502 subs	Vespera 3 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	57 min228 subs	16 min98 subs	Vespera 3 4×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	7 h 45 min1,860 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	Vespera 3 4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	16 h3,817 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	Vespera 3 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	25 min101 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	8 h 29 min2,035 subs	2 h 21 min849 subs	Vespera 3 4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	24 min97 subs	7 min43 subs	Vespera 3 3×
PleiadesReflection nebula	9 h 16 min2,225 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	Vespera 3 4×

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	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 31 min603 subs	32 min193 subs	Vespera 3 5×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	31 min126 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 4×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	3 h 50 min922 subs	48 min290 subs	Vespera 3 5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	7 h 44 min1,856 subs	1 h 35 min569 subs	Vespera 3 5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	16 min64 subs	5 min30 subs	Vespera 3 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	4 h 11 min1,006 subs	52 min315 subs	Vespera 3 5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	14 min57 subs	5 min30 subs	Vespera 3 2.8×
PleiadesReflection nebula	4 h 34 min1,097 subs	57 min343 subs	Vespera 3 5×

Try the DWARF II in the calculator Try the Vespera 3

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 Vaonis Vespera 3

The 2026 Vespera: same 50 mm quadruplet class as the II on an 8 MP IMX585, with a 24 MP mosaic mode and 11 hours of battery. Per pixel it behaves like a Seestar S50 Pro without the built-in dual-band filter.

Where to buy the Vespera 3Vaonis store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe Vaonis 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 · Vespera 3 page