Is the DWARF mini faster than the Draco?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Draco is 1.1× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Draco is 1.1× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Draco, with its finer pixel scale of 1.46″ per pixel.

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

DwarfLab DWARF mini against DwarfLab Draco, 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 Draco is 1.1× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the Draco is 1.1× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF mini shows 2.13° × 1.20° against 1.66° × 1.24°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Draco needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Draco samples at 1.46″ per pixel against 3.99″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The Draco goes up to 300 s subs in Pro Mode, the DWARF mini tops out at 90 s. That matters little from a city, where skyglow sets the floor, and a lot from a dark site, where read noise does.

Filters. Both carry a dual-band filter, which is what makes emission nebulae practical from a lit sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	DWARF mini	Draco
Aperture	30 mm	90 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/5.0)	340 mm (f/3.8)
Sensor	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP	1/1.3″ 50 MP, 2 × 2 binned (DwarfLab does not name it), 12.6 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.4 µm
Pixel scale	3.99″/px	1.46″/px
Field of view	2.13° × 1.20°	1.66° × 1.24°
Sub exposures	15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 s	30 s, 60 s, 120 s, 300 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (Dual-band)	Built in (Hα + OIII)
“No filter” position	Astro	No filter
Read noise used	1.2 e⁻	1.8 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 mini	Draco	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min349 subs	1 h 12 min144 subs	Draco 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min50 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 24 min336 subs	1 h 08 min136 subs	Draco 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	3 h 47 min454 subs	Draco 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 2.0×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 31 min366 subs	1 h 13 min147 subs	Draco 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 2.0×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 41 min645 subs	2 h 13 min266 subs	Draco 1.2×

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	Draco	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min135 subs	27 min55 subs	Draco 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min38 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 1.6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	58 min233 subs	46 min92 subs	Draco 1.3×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 39 min396 subs	1 h 20 min160 subs	Draco 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 2.0×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 03 min253 subs	50 min100 subs	Draco 1.3×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	15 min30 subs	DWARF mini 2.0×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h239 subs	48 min97 subs	Draco 1.2×

Try the DWARF mini in the calculator Try the Draco

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 DwarfLab Draco

DwarfLab’s big scope: 90 mm of folded f/3.8 optics, the most aperture of any Seestar or DWARF, a narrow 13 nm dual-band filter and 300 s subs with built-in guiding. A small-target scope; big nebulae need its mosaic mode.

Where to buy the DracoDwarfLab 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.

Other comparisons

All comparisons · Buying guide · DWARF mini page · Draco page