Is the Seestar S30 Pro faster than the DWARF mini?

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

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

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

Seestar S30 Pro vs DWARF mini: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro against DwarfLab DWARF mini, 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 DWARF mini is 1.2× faster.

Field of view. The Seestar S30 Pro shows 3.99° × 2.24° 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. Pixel scales are within 10% of each other, so neither has a real detail advantage.

Subs and dark skies. The DWARF mini goes up to 90 s subs in EQ mode, the Seestar S30 Pro tops out at 60 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	Seestar S30 Pro	DWARF mini
Aperture	30 mm	30 mm
Focal length	160 mm (f/5.3)	150 mm (f/5.0)
Sensor	Sony IMX585, 8.3 MP	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	3.74″/px	3.99″/px
Field of view	3.99° × 2.24°	2.13° × 1.20°
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s	15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (LP filter)	Built in (Dual-band)
“No filter” position	UV/IR-cut	Astro
Read noise used	1 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	Seestar S30 Pro	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 41 min609 subs	1 h 27 min349 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	15 min89 subs	12 min50 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 43 min619 subs	1 h 24 min336 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	5 h 21 min1,927 subs	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min49 subs	8 min30 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 52 min674 subs	1 h 31 min366 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min51 subs	8 min30 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
PleiadesReflection nebula	3 h 08 min1,127 subs	2 h 41 min645 subs	DWARF mini 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	Seestar S30 Pro	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	40 min243 subs	34 min135 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min70 subs	9 min38 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 14 min443 subs	58 min233 subs	DWARF mini 1.3×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	2 h722 subs	1 h 39 min396 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min42 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S30 Pro 1.1×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 20 min481 subs	1 h 03 min253 subs	DWARF mini 1.3×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S30 Pro 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 12 min433 subs	1 h239 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×

Try the Seestar S30 Pro in the calculator Try the DWARF mini

About the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

The S30 optics upgraded to a quadruplet in front of an 8 MP IMX585. Same speed per pixel as the S30, four times the pixels, so you can crop hard.

Where to buy the Seestar S30 ProZWO store Direct Amazon UK Amazon USThe ZWO 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 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.

Other comparisons

All comparisons · Buying guide · Seestar S30 Pro page · DWARF mini page