Is the DWARF mini faster than the Origin?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Origin is 2.7× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Origin is 4× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Origin, with its finer pixel scale of 1.48″ per pixel.

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

DwarfLab DWARF mini 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 2.7× 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 4× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF mini shows 2.13° × 1.20° 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 3.99″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The DWARF mini goes up to 90 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 mini 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

Spec	DWARF mini	Origin
Aperture	30 mm	152 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/5.0)	335 mm (f/2.2)
Sensor	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP	Sony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.4 µm
Pixel scale	3.99″/px	1.48″/px
Field of view	2.13° × 1.20°	1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures	15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 s	10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (Dual-band)	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” position	Astro	No filter
Read noise used	1.2 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.
Target	DWARF mini	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min349 subs	23 min139 subs	Origin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min50 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 2.5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 24 min336 subs	36 min215 subs	Origin 2.3×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	1 h 13 min439 subs	Origin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 31 min366 subs	39 min235 subs	Origin 2.3×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 41 min645 subs	43 min257 subs	Origin 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 mini	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min135 subs	8 min48 subs	Origin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min38 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.9×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	58 min233 subs	12 min72 subs	Origin 5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 39 min396 subs	23 min138 subs	Origin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 03 min253 subs	13 min78 subs	Origin 5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h239 subs	14 min84 subs	Origin 4×

Try the DWARF mini in the calculator Try the Origin

About the DwarfLab DWARF mini

DwarfLab’s answer to the Seestar S30: same sensor and focal length, big pixels, dual-band filter built in, and 90 s subs in EQ mode. Sensitivity over megapixels.

Where to buy the DWARF miniDwarfLab 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 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 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 mini page · Origin page