Is the DWARF mini faster than the eQuinox 2?

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

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The eQuinox 2, with its finer pixel scale of 1.33″ per pixel.

DWARF mini vs eQuinox 2: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

DwarfLab DWARF mini against Unistellar eQuinox 2, 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 mini 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 DWARF mini is 1.1× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF mini shows 2.13° × 1.20° against 0.76° × 0.57°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the eQuinox 2 needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The eQuinox 2 samples at 1.33″ 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 eQuinox 2 tops out at 4 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 eQuinox 2 does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	DWARF mini	eQuinox 2
Aperture	30 mm	114 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/5.0)	450 mm (f/3.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP	IMX347-class, 2.9 µm (Unistellar does not name it), 3.2 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	3.99″/px	1.33″/px
Field of view	2.13° × 1.20°	0.76° × 0.57°
Sub exposures	15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 s	4 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (Dual-band)	None
“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	eQuinox 2	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min349 subs	1 h 19 min1,191 subs	eQuinox 2 1.1×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min50 subs	15 min224 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 24 min336 subs	2 h 04 min1,854 subs	DWARF mini 1.5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	4 h 14 min3,814 subs	eQuinox 2 1.1×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	6 min96 subs	eQuinox 2 1.2×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 31 min366 subs	2 h 15 min2,028 subs	DWARF mini 1.5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	6 min94 subs	eQuinox 2 1.2×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 41 min645 subs	2 h 28 min2,219 subs	eQuinox 2 1.1×

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	eQuinox 2	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min135 subs	46 min690 subs	DWARF mini 1.4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min38 subs	9 min137 subs	Same
North America NebulaEmission nebula	58 min233 subs	1 h 11 min1,064 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 39 min396 subs	2 h 24 min2,164 subs	DWARF mini 1.5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	4 min66 subs	eQuinox 2 1.7×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 03 min253 subs	1 h 17 min1,162 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	4 min60 subs	eQuinox 2 1.9×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h239 subs	1 h 25 min1,270 subs	DWARF mini 1.4×

Try the DWARF mini in the calculator Try the eQuinox 2

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 Unistellar eQuinox 2

A 114 mm Newtonian with five times the light grasp of a 50 mm refractor. Fixed 4 s subs put it in read-noise territory under dark skies, but the aperture carries it. The published field is 45.6′ × 34.2′, a crop of the sensor.

Where to buy the eQuinox 2Amazon UK Unistellar UK Amazon US Unistellar 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 · eQuinox 2 page