Smart Telescopes Get Even Smaller New Dwarflab Model Dwarflab launched the Mini - a completely new design (for Dwarflab) of compact Smart Telescope at the end of 2025 which was a huge surprise. Dwarflab Mini The new Dwarflab model, the “Mini”, is marketed as the "World's smallest smart telescope" at 0.84kg, although the Dwarflab 3 is only 1.3kg. The Mini resembles an ultra-small S30 and features the same 2MP sensor. This sensor is more sensitive with reduced noise, however, an 8MP sensor would have made more sense. Also the reduced memory capacity of the Mini feels like another step backwards. The Mini has the potential to produce good images and now we have a demonstration model we can show direct comparison Images. With its small size it certainly lives up to being ultra-portable for use anywhere. Like the Dwarflab 3, it includes two cameras – a narrow field and wide-angle – both suitable for astroimaging and daylight use. The Mini uses 6 lens apochromatic lenses in a straight line like a conventional telescope. Here are the specifications: Dwarflab 3 Mini Aperture 35mm 30mm Focal length 150mm 150mm Field of View Tele 2.95° x 1.66° 2.14° x 1.20° Field of View Wide 45.06° x 25.93° 42.65° x 24.45° Sensor 8MP (Sony IMX 678) 2MP (Sony IMX662) Max Exposure 120 Secs 180 Secs Image Resolution 2.75 arcmins/pixel 3.98 arcmins/pixel Image format: Horizontal Horizontal File format JPEG, PNG, TIFFS, JPEG, PNG, TIFFS, FITS FITS Memory 128GB 64GB Filters Light pollution & Light pollution & Nebula Nebula Mount drive AltAz & EQ Mode AltAz & EQ Mode Tripod Fitting ¼” ¼” Main differences between Mini and Dwarflab 3 • Incredibly small • Telescope arm can move through 225 o while the base rotates 360 o • Lower resolution sensor, but more sensitive. • Main sensor gives smaller FOV. Wide angle sensor FOV is slightly smaller. • Very long exposure times due to software upgrade improving tracking. • Auto Dark Frames taken during imaging using an internal shutter. • Sun and Moon uses 2x digital zoom - not user adjustable. The App Dwarflab Mini uses the same App as the Dwarflab 3 and has the same “Recommended” objects list, Star Atlas and Sky Finder. Some people think the Dwarflab App is a little more complicated than Seestar’s, but if you spend the cloudy nights learning your way around it you will find it more flexible than the Seestar App and it will do a great job processing the images too. A potential new feature, not yet available, is the ability to customize Bias and Flat frames, as with the Dwarflab 3 these are currently factory-set. The Mini has an in-built Dark Frame shutter that automatically takes new dark frames if the external temperature changes, much easier than using the solar filter when prompted for dark frames on the Dwarflab 3. When a Dark Frame is being taken it looks like a rejected image as the stacked image indicator does not increase. The Mini also has the same upgrade as the Dwarflab 3 where different filters can be used on the same object to bring out additional features such as nebula within galaxies. One fun new feature you can “name” your Dwarflab Mini rather than just using the pre programmed ref number. The Mini and Dwarflab 3 both have the new “Sky Finder” function where the wide angle camera display shows all the Deep Sky Objects visible in the FOV. The App also sets the wide field camera to image the Milky Way or Star trails. The Dwarflab Stella Studio's post-processing capabilities may give the Mini the edge over the S30 unless S30 users perform additional processing on a laptop. The Mini also has an advantage of producing final images as PNG files, which contain more detail than the S30's JPEG files. The Mount The Dwarflab Mini is so far the smallest Smart Telescope available. The telescope arm can move through 225 o while the base rotates 360 o . Like the Dwarflab 3 it can be moved manually when not powered. It sits on a square base which has the ¼” thread tripod fitting. The telescope is recharged through a USC C port on the body of the Mini. The same port can be used to power the telescope for long imaging sessions though be careful of cable wrap as the base can move through 360 o . Daylight Use The Dwarflab Mini has two cameras in one body, both of which are capable of daylight imaging and are fully adjustable for exposure, etc. However, the wide field has a fixed focus. The second camera has a fixed focus and a wide 42° field suitable for landscape images. Unlike the Dwarflab 3 neither camera can track objects. (It might be just my Mini, but the wide field isn’t set to infinity. The image contrast also looks harsh. If taking pictures in the day time is of as much interest as astronomy then the Dwarflab 3 is a much better choice. Tripod It is not supplied with a tripod. The Mini can be used on any flat surface. The Mini’s light weight means a lighter pan / tilt tripod is sufficient for EQ Mode use. Dwarflab’s own small tripod is very expensive in comparison to many others. Sun and Moon Imaging With its smaller field of view the Mini will produce slightly larger Sun and Moon images although with less resolution due to the smaller sensor. To safely image the Sun the supplied magnetic Sun filter MUST be fitted. Unlike the Dwarflab 3, the Mini does not have the option of changing the image size. A 2x digital zoom is used automatically when the Sun or Moon is selected. The Mini is much slower than the Dwarflab 3 when stacking the individual images, though this doesn’t effect the quality of the final image. Storage Bag The Mini is not supplied with a bag. One is available as an extra for £39 and offers good protection. It has a front pocket for the recharging cable. Verdict As the cheapest telescope producing very good images it was easy to recommend. However, with the price increase to £399 - only £60 less than the Dwarf 3 unless you are in need of a very portable Smart Telescope, I would recommend the Dwarf 3 as the aperture is slightly large and it has extra capabilities.

Dwarflab Mini dimensions

Smart Telescopes Get Smaller New Dwarflab Model Dwarflab launched the Mini - a completely new design (for Dwarflab) of compact Smart Telescope at the end of 2025 which was a huge surprise. Dwarflab Mini The new Dwarflab model, the “Mini”, is marketed as the "World's smallest smart telescope" at 0.84kg, although the Dwarflab 3 is only 1.3kg. The Mini resembles an ultra-small S30 and features the same 2MP sensor. This sensor is more sensitive with reduced noise, however, an 8MP sensor would have made more sense. Also the reduced memory capacity of the Mini feels like another step backwards. The Mini has the potential to produce good images and now we have a demonstration model we can show direct comparison Images. With its small size it certainly lives up to being ultra-portable for use anywhere. Like the Dwarflab 3, it includes two cameras – a narrow field and wide-angle – both suitable for astroimaging and daylight use. The Mini uses 6 lens apochromatic lenses in a straight line like a conventional telescope. Here are the specifications: Dwarflab 3 Mini Aperture 35mm 30mm Focal length 150mm 150mm Field of View Tele 2.95° x 1.66° 2.14° x 1.20° Field of View Wide 45.06° x 25.93° 42.65° x 24.45° Sensor 8MP (Sony IMX 678) 2MP (Sony IMX 662) Max Exposure 120 Secs 180 Secs (v recent upgrade) Image Resolution 2.75 arcsec/pixel 3.98 arcsec/pixel Image format: Horizontal Horizontal File format JPEG, PNG, TIFFS, FITS JPEG, PNG, TIFFS, FITS Memory 128GB 64GB Filters Light pollution & Nebula Light pollution & Nebula Mount drive AltAz & EQ Mode AltAz & EQ Mode Tripod Fitting ¼” ¼” Main differences between Mini and Dwarflab 3 • Incredibly small • Telescope arm can move through 225 o while the base rotates 360 o • Lower resolution sensor, but more sensitive. • Main sensor gives smaller FOV. Wide angle sensor FOV is slightly smaller. • Very long exposure times due to software upgrade improving tracking. • Auto Dark Frames taken during imaging using an internal shutter. • Sun and Moon uses 2x digital zoom - not user adjustable. The App Dwarflab Mini uses the same App as the Dwarflab 3 and has the same “Recommended” objects list, Star Atlas and Sky Finder. Some people think the Dwarflab App is a little more complicated than Seestar’s, but if you spend the cloudy nights learning your way around it you will find it more flexible than the Seestar App and it will do a great job processing the images too. A potential new feature, not yet available, is the ability to customize Bias and Flat frames, as with the Dwarflab 3 these are currently factory-set. The Mini has an in-built Dark Frame shutter that automatically takes new dark frames if the external temperature changes, much easier than using the solar filter when prompted for dark frames on the Dwarflab 3. When a Dark Frame is being taken it looks like a rejected image as the stacked image indicator does not increase. The Mini also has the same upgrade as the Dwarflab 3 where different filters can be used on the same object to bring out additional features such as nebula within galaxies. One fun new feature you can “name” your Dwarflab Mini rather than just using the pre programmed ref number. The Mini and Dwarflab 3 both have the new “Sky Finder” function where the wide angle camera display shows all the Deep Sky Objects visible in the FOV. The App also sets the wide field camera to image the Milky Way or Star trails. The Dwarflab Stella Studio's post-processing capabilities may give the Mini the edge over the S30 unless S30 users perform additional processing on a laptop. The Mini also has an advantage of producing final images as PNG files, which contain more detail than the S30's JPEG files. The Mount The Dwarflab Mini is so far the smallest Smart Telescope available. The telescope arm can move through 225 o while the base rotates 360 o . Like the Dwarflab 3 it can be moved manually when not powered. It sits on a square base which has the ¼” thread tripod fitting. The telescope is recharged through a USC C port on the body of the Mini. The same port can be used to power the telescope for long imaging sessions though be careful of cable wrap as the base can move through 360 o . Daylight Use The Dwarflab Mini has two cameras in one body, both of which are capable of daylight imaging and are fully adjustable for exposure, etc. However, the wide field has a fixed focus. The second camera has a fixed focus and a wide 42° field suitable for landscape images. Unlike the Dwarflab 3 neither camera can track objects. (It might be just my Mini, but the wide field isn’t set to infinity. The image contrast also looks harsh. If taking pictures in the day time is of as much interest as astronomy then the Dwarflab 3 is a much better choice. Tripod It is not supplied with a tripod. The Mini can be used on any flat surface. The Mini’s light weight means a lighter pan / tilt tripod is sufficient for EQ Mode use. Dwarflab’s own small tripod is very expensive in comparison to many others. Sun and Moon Imaging With its smaller field of view the Mini will produce slightly larger Sun and Moon images although with less resolution due to the smaller sensor. To safely image the Sun the supplied magnetic Sun filter MUST be fitted. Unlike the Dwarflab 3, the Mini does not have the option of changing the image size. A 2x digital zoom is used automatically when the Sun or Moon is selected. The Mini is much slower than the Dwarflab 3 when stacking the individual images, though this doesn’t effect the quality of the final image. Storage Bag The Mini is not supplied with a bag. One is available as an extra for £39 and offers good protection. It has a front pocket for the recharging cable. Verdict As the cheapest telescope producing very good images it was easy to recommend. However, with the price increase to £399 - only £60 less than the Dwarf 3 unless you are in need of a very portable Smart Telescope, I would recommend the Dwarf 3 as the aperture is slightly large and it has extra capabilities.

Dwarflab Mini dimensions

Dwarflab 3 dimensions