Is the DWARF 3 faster than the Vespera Pro?

From a Bortle 6 sky the DWARF 3 is 2.1× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the DWARF 3 is 1.7× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Vespera Pro, with its finer pixel scale of 1.65″ per pixel.

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

DwarfLab DWARF 3 against Vaonis Vespera Pro, 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 DWARF 3 is 2.1× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the DWARF 3 is 1.7× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF 3 shows 2.93° × 1.65° against 1.62° × 1.62°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Vespera Pro needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Vespera Pro samples at 1.65″ 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 Vespera Pro 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 Vespera Pro does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	DWARF 3	Vespera Pro
Aperture	35 mm	50 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/4.3)	250 mm (f/5.0)
Sensor	Sony IMX678, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX676, 12.5 MP
Pixel size	2 µm	2 µm
Pixel scale	2.75″/px	1.65″/px
Field of view	2.93° × 1.65°	1.62° × 1.62°
Sub exposures	15 s, 30 s, 60 s	10 s, 20 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (Dual-band)	Clip-on option (Dual Band filter)
“No filter” position	Astro	No filter
Read noise used	0.6 e⁻	0.8 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 3	Vespera Pro	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 07 min509 subs	3 h 16 min1,176 subs	DWARF 3 1.5×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	16 min66 subs	38 min227 subs	DWARF 3 2.3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 46 min424 subs	5 h 04 min1,822 subs	DWARF 3 2.9×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	6 h 41 min1,604 subs	10 h3,727 subs	DWARF 3 1.5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	10 min39 subs	17 min103 subs	DWARF 3 1.8×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 55 min460 subs	5 h 32 min1,992 subs	DWARF 3 2.9×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	11 min44 subs	16 min98 subs	DWARF 3 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	3 h 55 min939 subs	6 h 03 min2,177 subs	DWARF 3 1.5×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	DWARF 3	Vespera Pro	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	44 min178 subs	1 h 23 min500 subs	DWARF 3 1.9×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min48 subs	18 min111 subs	DWARF 3 1.5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 06 min264 subs	2 h 06 min757 subs	DWARF 3 1.9×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	2 h 08 min514 subs	4 h 10 min1,501 subs	DWARF 3 1.9×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min33 subs	10 min62 subs	DWARF 3 1.3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 11 min285 subs	2 h 17 min824 subs	DWARF 3 1.9×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	9 min53 subs	DWARF 3 1.2×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 18 min312 subs	2 h 29 min897 subs	DWARF 3 1.9×

Try the DWARF 3 in the calculator Try the Vespera Pro

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 UK DwarfLab store US Amazon UK Amazon 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 Vaonis Vespera Pro

The square-sensor Vespera with 2 µm pixels. Higher resolution than the II, and correspondingly slower per pixel: expect around double the time for the same per-pixel SNR. Run-out in 2026 and replaced by the Vespera Pro 2.

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

Other comparisons

All comparisons · Buying guide · DWARF 3 page · Vespera Pro page