Is the DWARF mini faster than the Vespera 3?

From a Bortle 6 sky the DWARF mini is 1.2× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Vespera 3 is 1.2× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Vespera 3, with its finer pixel scale of 2.44″ per pixel.

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

DwarfLab DWARF mini against Vaonis Vespera 3, 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 1.2× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the Vespera 3 is 1.2× faster, so the ranking flips under dark skies.

Field of view. The Vespera 3 shows 2.60° × 1.46° against 2.13° × 1.20°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the DWARF mini needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Vespera 3 samples at 2.44″ 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 Vespera 3 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 Vespera 3 does not, which costs it heavily on emission nebulae from any suburban sky.

Specifications side by side

Spec	DWARF mini	Vespera 3
Aperture	30 mm	50 mm
Focal length	150 mm (f/5.0)	245 mm (f/4.9)
Sensor	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	3.99″/px	2.44″/px
Field of view	2.13° × 1.20°	2.60° × 1.46°
Sub exposures	15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 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	1.2 e⁻	1 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	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min349 subs	1 h 24 min502 subs	Same
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min50 subs	16 min98 subs	DWARF mini 1.3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 24 min336 subs	2 h 09 min777 subs	DWARF mini 1.5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	4 h 24 min1,586 subs	Same
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	7 min45 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 31 min366 subs	2 h 21 min849 subs	DWARF mini 1.5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	7 min43 subs	Vespera 3 1.1×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 41 min645 subs	2 h 35 min928 subs	Same

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	Vespera 3	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min135 subs	32 min193 subs	Same
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	9 min38 subs	7 min45 subs	Vespera 3 1.3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	58 min233 subs	48 min290 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 39 min396 subs	1 h 35 min569 subs	Same
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Vespera 3 1.5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 03 min253 subs	52 min315 subs	Vespera 3 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Vespera 3 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h239 subs	57 min343 subs	Same

Try the DWARF mini in the calculator Try the Vespera 3

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 Vaonis Vespera 3

The 2026 Vespera: same 50 mm quadruplet class as the II on an 8 MP IMX585, with a 24 MP mosaic mode and 11 hours of battery. Per pixel it behaves like a Seestar S50 Pro without the built-in dual-band filter.

Where to buy the Vespera 3Vaonis store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe Vaonis 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 · Vespera 3 page