Is the Seestar S50 faster than the DWARF mini?

From a Bortle 6 sky they are about the same speed on the 30 most popular deep-sky targets; from Bortle 3 they are about the same speed.

Which is better for small targets like planetary nebulae?

The Seestar S50, with its finer pixel scale of 2.39″ per pixel.

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

ZWO Seestar S50 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, they are about the same speed. From a rural Bortle 3 sky they are about the same speed.

Field of view. The DWARF mini shows 2.13° × 1.20° 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 Seestar S50 samples at 2.39″ 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 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	DWARF mini
Aperture	50 mm	30 mm
Focal length	250 mm (f/5.0)	150 mm (f/5.0)
Sensor	Sony IMX462, 2.1 MP	Sony IMX662, 2.1 MP
Pixel size	2.9 µm	2.9 µm
Pixel scale	2.39″/px	3.99″/px
Field of view	1.28° × 0.72°	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	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 27 min525 subs	1 h 27 min349 subs	Same
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	12 min75 subs	12 min50 subs	Same
North America NebulaEmission nebula	1 h 25 min512 subs	1 h 24 min336 subs	Same
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	4 h 37 min1,661 subs	4 h 35 min1,102 subs	Same
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	7 min42 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S50 1.1×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 33 min557 subs	1 h 31 min366 subs	Same
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	7 min44 subs	8 min30 subs	Same
PleiadesReflection nebula	2 h 42 min971 subs	2 h 41 min645 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	Seestar S50	DWARF mini	Faster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy	34 min204 subs	34 min135 subs	Same
Orion NebulaEmission nebula	10 min58 subs	9 min38 subs	Same
North America NebulaEmission nebula	59 min357 subs	58 min233 subs	Same
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy	1 h 40 min602 subs	1 h 39 min396 subs	Same
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula	6 min36 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S50 1.3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant	1 h 04 min387 subs	1 h 03 min253 subs	Same
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster	5 min30 subs	8 min30 subs	Seestar S50 1.5×
PleiadesReflection nebula	1 h362 subs	1 h239 subs	Same

Try the Seestar S50 in the calculator Try the DWARF mini

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 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 page · DWARF mini page