Is the Draco faster than the Origin?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Origin is 2.4× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Origin is 3× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

Neither has a meaningful advantage; their pixel scales are similar.

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

DwarfLab Draco 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 2.4× 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 3× faster.

Field of view. The Draco shows 1.66° × 1.24° 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. Pixel scales are within 10% of each other, so neither has a real detail advantage.

Subs and dark skies. The Draco goes up to 300 s subs in Pro 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 Draco 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	Draco	Origin
Aperture	90 mm	152 mm
Focal length	340 mm (f/3.8)	335 mm (f/2.2)
Sensor	1/1.3″ 50 MP, 2 × 2 binned (DwarfLab does not name it), 12.6 MP	Sony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size	2.4 µm	2.4 µm
Pixel scale	1.46″/px	1.48″/px
Field of view	1.66° × 1.24°	1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures	30 s, 60 s, 120 s, 300 s	10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (Hα + OIII)	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” position	No filter	No filter
Read noise used	1.8 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	Draco	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 12 min144 subs	23 min139 subs	Origin 3×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 08 min136 subs	36 min215 subs	Origin 1.9×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	3 h 47 min454 subs	1 h 13 min439 subs	Origin 3×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 13 min147 subs	39 min235 subs	Origin 1.9×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 13 min266 subs	43 min257 subs	Origin 3×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
Target	Draco	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	27 min55 subs	8 min48 subs	Origin 3×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	46 min92 subs	12 min72 subs	Origin 4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 20 min160 subs	23 min138 subs	Origin 3×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	50 min100 subs	13 min78 subs	Origin 4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	15 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 3×
PleiadesReflection nebula	48 min97 subs	14 min84 subs	Origin 3×

Try the Draco in the calculator Try the Origin

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.

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 · Draco page · Origin page