Is the Seestar S50 Pro faster than the DWARF mini?

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 Seestar S50 Pro, with its finer pixel scale of 2.30″ per pixel.

Seestar S50 Pro vs DWARF mini: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

ZWO Seestar S50 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 1.1× 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 Seestar S50 Pro shows 2.45° × 1.38° 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 Seestar S50 Pro samples at 2.30″ 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 Seestar S50 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 S50 Pro	DWARF mini
Aperture	50 mm	30 mm
Focal length	260 mm (f/5.2)	150 mm (f/5.0)
Sensor	OmniVision OS08B10 (1/1.2″), 8.3 MP	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	2.30″/px	3.99″/px
Field of view	2.45° × 1.38°	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 S50 Pro	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 36 min575 subs	1 h 27 min349 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	14 min83 subs	12 min50 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 36 min574 subs	1 h 24 min336 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	5 h 03 min1,817 subs	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	8 min46 subs	8 min30 subs	Same
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 44 min625 subs	1 h 31 min366 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	8 min48 subs	8 min30 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 57 min1,063 subs	2 h 41 min645 subs	DWARF mini 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	Seestar S50 Pro	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	38 min227 subs	34 min135 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	11 min65 subs	9 min38 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 08 min407 subs	58 min233 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 52 min672 subs	1 h 39 min396 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min40 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S50 Pro 1.2×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 13 min441 subs	1 h 03 min253 subs	DWARF mini 1.2×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S50 Pro 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h 07 min404 subs	1 h239 subs	DWARF mini 1.1×

Try the Seestar S50 Pro in the calculator Try the DWARF mini

About the ZWO Seestar S50 Pro

The S50 optics at 260 mm on an 8 MP 1/1.2-inch sensor: a wider, taller field, four times the pixels, and 60 s subs in EQ mode. Per pixel it is a whisker slower than the S50 because of the longer focal length; the long subs make it the better dark-site scope.

Where to buy the Seestar S50 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 S50 Pro page · DWARF mini page