Is the DWARF mini faster than the Odyssey?

From a Bortle 6 sky the DWARF mini is 5× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the DWARF mini is 6× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Odyssey, with its finer pixel scale of 0.93″ per pixel.

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

DwarfLab DWARF mini against Unistellar Odyssey, 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 5× 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 6× faster.

Field of view. The DWARF mini shows 2.13° × 1.20° against 0.75° × 0.56°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Odyssey needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Odyssey samples at 0.93″ 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 Odyssey 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 Odyssey does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	DWARF mini	Odyssey
Aperture	30 mm	85 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/5.0)	320 mm (f/3.8)
Sensor	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP	IMX415-class, 1.45 µm (Unistellar does not name it), 6.2 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	1.45 µm
Pixel scale	3.99″/px	0.93″/px
Field of view	2.13° × 1.20°	0.75° × 0.56°
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⁻	1.2 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	Odyssey	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min349 subs	6 h 07 min5,505 subs	DWARF mini 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min50 subs	1 h 08 min1,016 subs	DWARF mini 6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 24 min336 subs	9 h 33 min8,594 subs	DWARF mini 7×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	20 h17,741 subs	DWARF mini 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	28 min422 subs	DWARF mini 4×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 31 min366 subs	10 h9,406 subs	DWARF mini 7×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	28 min419 subs	DWARF mini 4×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 41 min645 subs	11 h10,297 subs	DWARF mini 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	Odyssey	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min135 subs	4 h 05 min3,683 subs	DWARF mini 7×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min38 subs	47 min701 subs	DWARF mini 5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	58 min233 subs	6 h 21 min5,721 subs	DWARF mini 7×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 39 min396 subs	13 h11,739 subs	DWARF mini 8×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	21 min309 subs	DWARF mini 2.7×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 03 min253 subs	6 h 57 min6,257 subs	DWARF mini 7×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	20 min297 subs	DWARF mini 2.6×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h239 subs	7 h 36 min6,843 subs	DWARF mini 8×

Try the DWARF mini in the calculator Try the Odyssey

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 Odyssey

Unistellar’s compact 85 mm with autofocus and tiny pixels. Sharp, but the fine sampling costs time on faint extended targets. The Odyssey Pro is the same telescope with an eyepiece added, so these figures apply to both.

Where to buy the OdysseyAmazon 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 · Odyssey page