Is the Seestar S50 faster than the Origin?

From a Bortle 6 sky the Origin is 2.6× faster on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 the Origin is 4× faster.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Origin, with its finer pixel scale of 1.48″ per pixel.

Seestar S50 vs Origin: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

ZWO Seestar S50 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 2.6× 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 4× faster.

Field of view. The Origin shows 1.27° × 0.85° against 1.28° × 0.72°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Seestar S50 needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Origin samples at 1.48″ per pixel against 2.39″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. The Seestar S50 goes up to 60 s subs in EQ 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 Seestar S50 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	Seestar S50	Origin
Aperture	50 mm	152 mm
Focal length	250 mm (f/5.0)	335 mm (f/2.2)
Sensor	Sony IMX462, 2.1 MP	Sony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.4 µm
Pixel scale	2.39″/px	1.48″/px
Field of view	1.28° × 0.72°	1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures	10 s, 20 s, 30 s, 60 s	10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filter	Built in (LP filter)	Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” position	UV/IR-cut	No filter
Read noise used	1 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	Seestar S50	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min525 subs	23 min139 subs	Origin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min75 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 2.5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 25 min512 subs	36 min215 subs	Origin 2.4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 37 min1,661 subs	1 h 13 min439 subs	Origin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min42 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.4×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 33 min557 subs	39 min235 subs	Origin 2.4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	7 min44 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 42 min971 subs	43 min257 subs	Origin 4×

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	Origin	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min204 subs	8 min48 subs	Origin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	10 min58 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.9×
North America NebulaEmission nebula	59 min357 subs	12 min72 subs	Origin 5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 40 min602 subs	23 min138 subs	Origin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	6 min36 subs	5 min30 subs	Origin 1.2×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 04 min387 subs	13 min78 subs	Origin 5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	5 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h362 subs	14 min84 subs	Origin 4×

Try the Seestar S50 in the calculator Try the Origin

About the ZWO Seestar S50

The scope that made smart astrophotography mainstream. 50 mm triplet, 2 MP sensor, dual-band filter on a wheel. Alt-Az stacking at 10 s, EQ mode unlocks 60 s. Out of production since 2026 and replaced by the S50 Pro, but there are a great many in use.

Where to buy the Seestar S50ZWO 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 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 · Seestar S50 page · Origin page