DwarfLab DWARF mini: how long to image deep-sky targets
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.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 30 mm |
| Focal length | 150 mm (f/5.0) |
| Sensor | Sony IMX662, 1920 × 1080, 2.9 µm pixels |
| Pixel scale | 3.99″ per pixel |
| Field of view | 2.13° × 1.20° (128′ × 72′) |
| Sub exposures | 15 s, 30 s, 60 s, 90 s (default 15 s) |
| Filters | Built-in Astro (430 to 690 nm), dark-frame and dual-band Hα / OIII filters; no plain VIS filter on the tele camera. What the names mean. |
| In the calculator | “Astro (no light-pollution filter)” is the Astro position; “dual-band” is the built-in dual-band. |
| Read noise used | 1.2 e⁻ |
Where to buy the DWARF miniDwarfLab store UKDwarfLab store USAmazon UKAmazon 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.
Weighing it against the others? The buying guide puts every scope on one table.
Popular targets
| Target | Bortle 4 | Bortle 6 | Bortle 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy | 42 min168 subs | 1 h 27 min349 subs | 4 h 04 min975 subs |
| Orion NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 10 min40 subs | 12 min50 subs | 21 min83 subs |
| PleiadesReflection nebula | 1 h 15 min301 subs | 2 h 41 min645 subs | 7 h 38 min1,831 subs |
| Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy | 29 min117 subs | 58 min234 subs | 2 h 39 min636 subs |
| Bode's GalaxyGalaxy | 31 min124 subs | 1 h 03 min254 subs | 2 h 56 min703 subs |
| Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy | 2 h 06 min505 subs | 4 h 35 min1,102 subs | 13 h3,164 subs |
| Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster | 8 min30 subs | 8 min30 subs | 18 min72 subs |
| Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 16 min65 subs | 20 min80 subs | 33 min132 subs |
| Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 8 min30 subs | 8 min30 subs | 10 min40 subs |
| Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 15 min62 subs | 19 min78 subs | 34 min136 subs |
| Eagle NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 45 min180 subs | 1 h241 subs | 1 h 52 min450 subs |
| Omega NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 18 min72 subs | 23 min91 subs | 39 min157 subs |
| Trifid NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 33 min131 subs | 43 min173 subs | 1 h 19 min318 subs |
| Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy | 1 h 15 min301 subs | 2 h 41 min645 subs | 7 h 38 min1,831 subs |
| North America NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 02 min249 subs | 1 h 24 min336 subs | 2 h 40 min639 subs |
| Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant, dual-band | 1 h 07 min270 subs | 1 h 31 min366 subs | 2 h 54 min697 subs |
| Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant, dual-band | 57 min230 subs | 1 h 17 min309 subs | 2 h 26 min585 subs |
| Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 42 min409 subs | 2 h 20 min561 subs | 4 h 31 min1,086 subs |
| Iris NebulaReflection nebula | 54 min215 subs | 1 h 53 min452 subs | 5 h 18 min1,273 subs |
| Pacman NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 13 min293 subs | 1 h 40 min399 subs | 3 h 10 min762 subs |
| Heart NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 2 h 01 min484 subs | 2 h 47 min667 subs | 5 h 24 min1,298 subs |
| Rosette NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 02 min249 subs | 1 h 24 min336 subs | 2 h 40 min639 subs |
| Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 26 min346 subs | 1 h 58 min473 subs | 3 h 47 min909 subs |
| Flame NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 24 min96 subs | 31 min125 subs | 56 min225 subs |
| California NebulaEmission nebula, dual-band | 1 h 26 min346 subs | 1 h 58 min473 subs | 3 h 47 min909 subs |
| Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula, dual-band | 1 h 26 min346 subs | 1 h 58 min473 subs | 3 h 47 min909 subs |
| Double ClusterOpen cluster | 8 min30 subs | 8 min30 subs | 8 min30 subs |
| NGC 891Galaxy | 1 h 17 min307 subs | 2 h 43 min654 subs | 7 h 44 min1,855 subs |
| Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy | 24 min97 subs | 47 min188 subs | 2 h 05 min501 subs |
| Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy | 47 min190 subs | 1 h 38 min394 subs | 4 h 35 min1,099 subs |
All 170 targets have a page for the DWARF mini.
Every target for the DWARF mini
Supernova remnants
Globular clusters
- M2
- M3
- M4
- M5
- M9
- M10
- M12
- Hercules Cluster
- M14
- M15
- M19
- M22
- M28
- M30
- M53
- M54
- M55
- M56
- M62
- M68
- M69
- M70
- M71
- M72
- M75
- M79
- M80
- M92
- M107
- Omega Centauri
- 47 Tucanae
Open clusters
- Butterfly Cluster
- Ptolemy's Cluster
- Wild Duck Cluster
- M18
- M21
- M23
- M25
- M26
- M29
- M34
- M35
- M36
- M37
- M38
- M39
- M41
- Beehive Cluster
- M46
- M47
- M48
- M50
- M52
- M67
- M93
- M103
- Double Cluster
- Rosette Cluster
- Owl Cluster
- NGC 663
- NGC 1893
- NGC 6939
- Caroline's Rose
Emission nebulas
- Lagoon Nebula
- Eagle Nebula
- Omega Nebula
- Trifid Nebula
- Orion Nebula
- De Mairan's Nebula
- North America Nebula
- Pelican Nebula
- Crescent Nebula
- Elephant's Trunk Nebula
- Bubble Nebula
- Pacman Nebula
- Heart Nebula
- Soul Nebula
- California Nebula
- Flaming Star Nebula
- Tadpoles Nebula
- Horsehead Nebula
- Flame Nebula
- Rosette Nebula
- Cone and Christmas Tree
- Monkey Head Nebula
- Thor's Helmet
- Carina Nebula
- Tarantula Nebula
- Wizard Nebula
- Cave Nebula
- Ghost of Cassiopeia
- Tulip Nebula
- Cocoon Nebula
Star clouds
Planetary nebulas
- Dumbbell Nebula
- Ring Nebula
- Little Dumbbell
- Owl Nebula
- Helix Nebula
- Cat's Eye Nebula
- Eskimo Nebula
- Ghost of Jupiter
- Turtle Nebula
- Blinking Planetary
- Bow-Tie Nebula
- Saturn Nebula
- NGC 6781
- Abell 39
Galaxies
- Andromeda Galaxy
- M32
- Triangulum Galaxy
- M49
- Whirlpool Galaxy
- M58
- M59
- M60
- M61
- Sunflower Galaxy
- Black Eye Galaxy
- M65
- M66
- M74
- M77
- Bode's Galaxy
- Cigar Galaxy
- Southern Pinwheel
- M84
- M85
- M86
- M87
- M88
- M89
- M90
- M91
- M94
- M95
- M96
- M98
- M99
- M100
- Pinwheel Galaxy
- Spindle Galaxy
- Sombrero Galaxy
- M105
- M106
- M108
- M109
- M110
- NGC 891
- Sculptor Galaxy
- NGC 2403
- NGC 2903
- Hamburger Galaxy
- Antennae Galaxies
- Needle Galaxy
- Whale Galaxy
- Centaurus A
- Fireworks Galaxy
- NGC 7331
Reflection nebulas
Getting the most from the DWARF mini
Auto mode caps subs at 15 s; 30 s and longer need EQ mode, and 90 s is the ceiling. Built-in Astro (430 to 690 nm), dark-frame and dual-band Hα / OIII filters; no plain VIS filter on the tele camera.
Longer subs matter most under dark skies, where read noise rather than skyglow sets the floor. From a city the difference between 15 s and 90 s subs is small; from a rural site it can halve the total time, especially with a dual-band filter in place.
Stack across nights. Every smart scope app can continue a stack or you can combine the saved frames on a computer; the figures here are totals, not single-session limits.
Compare the DWARF mini
- DWARF mini vs Seestar S50
- DWARF mini vs Seestar S50 Pro
- DWARF mini vs Seestar S30
- DWARF mini vs Seestar S30 Pro
- DWARF mini vs DWARF 3
- DWARF mini vs Draco
- DWARF mini vs DWARF II
- DWARF mini vs Vespera II
- DWARF mini vs Vespera Pro
- DWARF mini vs Vespera 3
- DWARF mini vs Vespera Pro 2
- DWARF mini vs eQuinox 2
- DWARF mini vs Odyssey
- DWARF mini vs Origin
- DWARF mini vs Origin Mark II
Useful gear
What actually fits this scope, checked against the maker's own pages: power, EQ mode, dew and carry.
- DWARFLAB mini hydraulic tripodNo tripod in the box; the tilt head covers EQ mode too.
- USB-C PD power bank 10000mAh 20W7,000 mAh inside, about four hours; a PD bank extends the night.
- DWARFLAB DWARF mini travel bagDwarfLab's padded case with a filter pocket.
- DWARFLAB DWARF mini ND filterSpare solar ND filter; one ships in the box.
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All DWARF mini accessories, and what to take on a cold night →