Vespera Pro 2 vs Origin Mark II: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

Vaonis Vespera Pro 2 against Celestron Origin Mark II, 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 Mark II is 5× 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 Mark II is 6× faster.

Field of view. The Vespera Pro 2 shows 1.65° × 1.65° against 1.32° × 0.75°, so big targets such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the North America Nebula and the Pleiades fit with room to spare where the Origin Mark II needs a mosaic or a tight crop.

Detail. The Origin Mark II samples at 1.23″ per pixel against 1.68″, 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 Pro 2Origin Mark II
Aperture50 mm152 mm
Focal length245 mm (f/4.9)335 mm (f/2.2)
SensorSony IMX676, 12.5 MPSony IMX678, 8.4 MP
Pixel size2 µm2 µm
Pixel scale1.68″/px1.23″/px
Field of view1.65° × 1.65°1.32° × 0.75°
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 used0.8 e⁻0.6 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 Pro 2Origin Mark IIFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy3 h 07 min1,121 subs32 min191 subsOrigin Mark II 6×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula36 min217 subs6 min38 subsOrigin Mark II 6×
North America NebulaEmission nebula4 h 49 min1,736 subs49 min295 subsOrigin Mark II 6×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy9 h 52 min3,552 subs1 h 40 min600 subsOrigin Mark II 6×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula16 min99 subs5 min30 subsOrigin Mark II 3×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant5 h 16 min1,898 subs54 min322 subsOrigin Mark II 6×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster15 min93 subs5 min30 subsOrigin Mark II 3×
PleiadesReflection nebula5 h 46 min2,075 subs59 min352 subsOrigin Mark II 6×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargetVespera Pro 2Origin Mark IIFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy1 h 19 min472 subs10 min60 subsOrigin Mark II 8×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula17 min105 subs5 min30 subsOrigin Mark II 3×
North America NebulaEmission nebula1 h 59 min713 subs15 min88 subsOrigin Mark II 8×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy3 h 56 min1,414 subs28 min168 subsOrigin Mark II 8×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula10 min59 subs5 min30 subsOrigin Mark II 1.9×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant2 h 09 min776 subs16 min95 subsOrigin Mark II 8×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster8 min50 subs5 min30 subsOrigin Mark II 1.6×
PleiadesReflection nebula2 h 21 min845 subs17 min103 subsOrigin Mark II 8×

Try the Vespera Pro 2 in the calculator Try the Origin Mark II

About the Vaonis Vespera Pro 2

The square-sensor 2026 Vespera with 2 µm pixels. Sharper than the Vespera 3 on small targets and correspondingly slower per pixel; the 12.5 MP square frame suits galaxies and planetaries.

Where to buy the Vespera Pro 2Vaonis 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 Mark II

The Origin Mark II (late 2025): the same 6-inch f/2.2 RASA with an 8 MP IMX678 in place of the original 6 MP IMX178. Smaller pixels for finer detail, a quieter sensor, and still the fastest system here by a wide margin.

Where to buy the Origin Mark IICelestron store DirectAmazon UKAmazon USThe Celestron 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

Vespera Pro 2

Origin Mark II

All comparisons · Buying guide · Vespera Pro 2 page · Origin Mark II page