How Many Subs

Vespera 3 vs Origin: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

Vaonis Vespera 3 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 3× 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 Vespera 3 shows 2.60° × 1.46° 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. The Origin samples at 1.48″ per pixel against 2.44″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. Both top out at 30 s subs, so neither has an edge at read-noise-limited dark sites.

Filters. Neither has a built-in dual-band filter, so emission nebulae from a lit sky are slow going on both.

Specifications side by side

SpecVespera 3Origin
Aperture50 mm152 mm
Focal length245 mm (f/4.9)335 mm (f/2.2)
SensorSony IMX585, 8.3 MPSony IMX178, 6.4 MP
Pixel size2.9 µm2.4 µm
Pixel scale2.44″/px1.48″/px
Field of view2.60° × 1.46°1.27° × 0.85°
Sub exposures10 s, 20 s, 30 s10 s, 15 s, 30 s
Dual-band filterClip-on option (Dual Band filter)Drawer option (Nebula Filter)
“No filter” positionNo filterNo filter
Read noise used1 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.
TargetVespera 3OriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy1 h 24 min502 subs23 min139 subsOrigin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula16 min98 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula2 h 09 min777 subs36 min215 subsOrigin 4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy4 h 24 min1,586 subs1 h 13 min439 subsOrigin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula7 min45 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant2 h 21 min849 subs39 min235 subsOrigin 4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster7 min43 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.4×
PleiadesReflection nebula2 h 35 min928 subs43 min257 subsOrigin 4×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargetVespera 3OriginFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy32 min193 subs8 min48 subsOrigin 4×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula7 min45 subs5 min30 subsOrigin 1.5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula48 min290 subs12 min72 subsOrigin 4×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy1 h 35 min569 subs23 min138 subsOrigin 4×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula5 min30 subs5 min30 subsSame
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant52 min315 subs13 min78 subsOrigin 4×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster5 min30 subs5 min30 subsSame
PleiadesReflection nebula57 min343 subs14 min84 subsOrigin 4×

Try the Vespera 3 in the calculator Try the Origin

About the Vaonis Vespera 3

The 2026 Vespera: same 50 mm quadruplet class as the II on an 8 MP IMX585, with a 24 MP mosaic mode and 11 hours of battery. Per pixel it behaves like a Seestar S50 Pro without the built-in dual-band filter.

Where to buy the Vespera 3Vaonis store DirectAmazon UKAmazon USThe Vaonis 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 UKAmazon USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Other comparisons

Vespera 3

Origin

All comparisons · Buying guide · Vespera 3 page · Origin page