How Many Subs

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

DwarfLab DWARF 3 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 4× 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 5× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF 3 shows 2.93° × 1.65° 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 2.75″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The DWARF 3 goes up to 60 s subs in EQ mode, the Origin tops out at 30 s. That matters little from a city, where skyglow sets the floor, and a lot from a dark site, where read noise does.

Filters. The DWARF 3 has a dual-band filter built in; the Origin does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

SpecDWARF 3Origin
Aperture35 mm152 mm
Focal length150 mm (f/4.3)335 mm (f/2.2)
SensorSony IMX678, 8.3 MPSony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size2 µm2.4 µm
Pixel scale2.75″/px1.48″/px
Field of view2.93° × 1.65°1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures15 s, 30 s, 60 s10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filterBuilt in (Dual-band)Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” positionAstroNo filter
Read noise used0.6 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 3OriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy2 h 07 min509 subs23 min139 subsOrigin 5×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula16 min66 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula1 h 46 min424 subs36 min215 subsOrigin 3.0×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy6 h 41 min1,604 subs1 h 13 min439 subsOrigin 5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula10 min39 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.9×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant1 h 55 min460 subs39 min235 subsOrigin 2.9×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster11 min44 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 2.2×
PleiadesReflection nebula3 h 55 min939 subs43 min257 subsOrigin 5×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargetDWARF 3OriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy44 min178 subs8 min48 subsOrigin 6×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula12 min48 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 2.4×
North America NebulaEmission nebula1 h 06 min264 subs12 min72 subsOrigin 6×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy2 h 08 min514 subs23 min138 subsOrigin 6×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula8 min33 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.6×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant1 h 11 min285 subs13 min78 subsOrigin 6×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster8 min30 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula1 h 18 min312 subs14 min84 subsOrigin 6×

Try the DWARF 3 in the calculator Try the Origin

About the DwarfLab DWARF 3

Small pixels on a 35 mm f/4.3 lens give a sharper image than its aperture suggests, and EQ mode with 60 s subs makes it the read-noise winner in dark skies.

Where to buy the DWARF 3DwarfLab store UKDwarfLab store USAmazon UKAmazon USThe DwarfLab 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.

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 3

Origin

All comparisons · Buying guide · DWARF 3 page · Origin page