Review Of The New Dwarf Mini from Dwarf Lab

The new Dwarf Mini is proof that great things really do come in small packages. Holding the title of the world's smallest smart telescope, this remarkable little instrument weighs less thank 2 pounds yet delivers an astrophotography experience which would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Dwarf Lab - the ones who brought us the amazing Dwarf 2 and Dwarf 3 smart telescopes; which I’ve also had the pleasure of testing and reviewing below…have once again managed to push the boundaries of what's possible in a portable AP system.

The Dwarf Mini has the unique distinction of being the world’s smallest smart telescope. At only 840 grams (~1.85 lbs). At 3.9" x 7.2" x 2.4" it’s small and light enough to fit in a sweatshirt pocket. It beats all currently available smart scopes on the portability factor. If portability is high on your list of priorities, then you simply can’t beat The Dwarf Mini. 

Some Major Stats:

The Dwarf Mini is comprised of: 

• A six-element astro-optimized optical design
• It features a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX662 sensor

• 150mm F/5 apochromatic telephoto lens
• 6.7mm (45mm equiv.) wide field lens, which provides a 60 Degree FOV
• Magnetic solar ND filter
• EQ Mode
• Mosaic mode
• 64GB internal storage
• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• USB-C connectivity

Let's move on to packaging - and unboxing -

As is typically the case with products from Dwarf Lab, the unit arrived very well packaged; small but sturdy boxes were used, and all items were double boxed.

You will find the current retail price of The Dwarf Mini to be around $399 US dollars.

Features - similar to both The Dwarf 2 and The Dwarf 3 smart telescopes, The Mini boasts quite a few features:

• A 7000 mAh battery with USB charging port
• 4 hours of battery life
• The ability to polar align, for longer exposures
• Included custom carry case with adjustable strap
• One step / Built-in post processing - Stellar Studio
• Temperature range of operation: from 14 Deg. F to 140 Deg. F 

This last feature is of considerable interest to me. When I used The Dwarf 3 this past Winter (here in upstate NY) the unit began to exhibit some issues when the temperature dropped to around 32 Deg. F. I was surprised because The Dwarf 3 was also rated to operate at temperatures as low as 14 Deg. F. However, at 32 Deg. F, it began to experience the issues which the documentation listed as things that happen at (below) 14 Deg. F. Mainly, the inability to recognize/draw battery power, and unable to continue imaging. This was disappointing…Okay, back to The Dwarf Mini…

Holding The Dwarf Mini 

Among the features that I find the most interesting are: 

• The ability to schedule imaging sessions - very easy to do also.
• 'Astro' Filter: 430-690nm Enhances nebulae contrast (by enhancing sensitivity to infra-red). 
• 'Duo-Band' Dual Narrowband Filter - HA 656.3nm and OIII 500.7nm (cuts moonlight, city glow and light pollution).
• Up to 90-second exposures with tripod and polar alignment.
• The ability to power down the unit remotely.
• How easy it is to polar align - Especially if you use the hack from this YouTuber:

In the interest of transparency and full disclosure, the above hack doesn't differ too much from the official EQ Mode instructional video provided on The Dwarf Lab site.

As can be seen in photos online, The Dwarf Mini sports a very slick design. I like it very much! Molded in a very nice-looking charcoal gray. Let's not forget, when used in Alt-Az mode, a tripod isn't even needed - It may simply be placed on a sturdy, flat (and preferably level) surface - and away you go! 

The Dwarf Mini on an extended photo tripod, helps to avoid obstacles like trees and structures.

In use - I find The Dwarf Mini super-easy to use - Generally speaking, we’re looking at the same 3-4 steps which other (affordable) smart telescopes use:

• Place outside and power on.
• Open arm and allow The Mini to calibrate itself.
• Choose your target object.
• Click the shutter button to start shooting.

The Dwarf Mini on tripod, polar aligned, and utilizing an external USB power pack.

I've been very impressed by the auto focus. It works well, is accurate, and doesn't take very long at all. This is a welcome change, after using smart scopes which seemed to take forever to auto focus. If we're being honest, when you're anxious to acquire images, any delays are very unwelcome!

The display from my iPhone while imaging The Iris Nebula.

As outlined above - Since it's so easy to use, The Dwarf Mini would be ideal for just about anyone with an interest in astrophotography. It helps if the end user is familiar with technology, or at the very least, navigating their own cell phone or tablet. Luckily, I believe that would include most people!

If you've always wanted to try taking pictures of the night sky, the Milky Way, deep sky objects, and the Sun then this would be an excellent choice for you. One of the stand-out aspects of The Dwarf Mini is it's ease of use - going from unboxing -to- taking images, in a very short amount of time. No real steep learning curve here.

The Iris Nebula - A beautiful reflection nebula.

A typical night under the stars for me, involves taking full advantage of it's remote control capabilities.

I set the unit up outside on an outdoor table, power it on, select an object, and start imaging. Since I'm someone who deals with chronic pain, I typically retreat back indoors, to control everything via my iPhone (WiFi). This works very well for me, especially having the optional wide field view whenever I need it.

If you try to get every last bit of battery life from it: You'll find that it stops imaging operations as soon as the unit's battery level reaches 7%. It stops taking photos, and waits for user input. When it first happened, I thought "Hmm...this is interesting; you can only get to 7%..." However, this seems like a good engineering design. I'd rather know that 7% battery life is the cut off time, than the possibility of having images get corrupted or not saved.

As with all smart telescopes, I recommend getting yourself one or even two external USB battery packs (the rechargeable ones everyone uses). Be sure to plug one in even before your unit approaches the 7% battery mark.

A quick wide-field (Milky Way type) shot of The Hercules constellation, and surrounding area.

I have been struck with the overall accuracy of the unit. I have not found it to be "off" in any way: If it states it's pointed at an object, it really is pointed there. The Wide Frame Window was in alignment out-of-the-box. This small, wide field of view window, allows you to quickly see the wider "picture" of where the telescope is pointed.

When I saw this feature on The Mini, for the very first time, I didn't think much of it. In fact, I didn't think it would be of much use to me. Now, I don't know how I could get by without it! In a way, it provides you with some peace of mind - knowing that you're pointed in the right place. It is also very useful for keeping an eye on any clouds which may be sneaking in. Also, if for any reason you prefer not to see it - simply click on it, and it disappears. 

M27 in 49 minutes and 45 seconds - A lovely result.

Pros:

• Super small and easy to deploy and use anywhere!
• Very easy set-up steps - Take you from 0 -to- imaging in no time!
• The Wide Frame Window - Allows you to see the wide FOV of the area you're focused on at a glance.
• The Apochromatic optics produce wonderful, sharp results with your astrophotos. 
• Polar alignment is very easy.
• Virtually One-step post processing via Stellar Studio / Dwarf Lab's cloud.

Cons:

• Battery life doesn't go to 4 full hours
• After locating your target, the unit must initialize for ~30 seconds or so. 

If you're expecting 4 hours of battery life, you'll probably be disappointed. I didn't get a full 4 hours during my tests.

In regards to the 2nd Con: I've at least learned that several important functions/activities are taking place during those ~30". So, I guess I should learn to be more patient!

In addition to the 2 imaging filters available (Astro & Duo Band), The Dwarf Mini also has a built-in dark field "filter" which enables the unit to create dark field exposures for automatic application.

These dark exposures (or Darks as we call them) are available for those who are inclined to do their own stacking, etc., outside of the unit. On a laptop, or PC, etc. Of course, you can have access to the individual sub exposures as well.

The lower half of The North American Nebula - It reads unknown, because I chose the aim point myself.

One of the features which drew me to The Dwarf Mini, was it's price. At a typical price of $399, it is the most affordable smart telescope available. It may be ordered directly from this affiliate link I've recently been provided - If you order using this link, I receive a small commission; at no cost to you. 

The Heart Nebula.

 

I've been fortunate enough to test and review several affordable smart telescopes so far. In summary, I'd state that I really enjoy using The Dwarf Mini. The software App is robust and easy to use. All things considered, the only real "Con" of any significance, is the slightly-less-than 4 hour battery life I experienced. I really can't find anything else to complain about with this unit. It delivers on all it promises.

The resulting images of deep sky objects speak for themselves! All of the images shared above, were straight out of the telescope, after just applying the Auto (Denoise, etc) feature built in to The Mini's Stellar Studio. No other post processing was done. I've honestly found that additional processing is not actually needed. All in all, I really, really like The Dwarf Mini! I've been loving the impressive results. I've even found it to capture small planetary nebulae well.

What Dwarf Lab has accomplished is remarkable. They've managed to package a capable astrophotography system into something small enough to take virtually anywhere. Whether you're a complete beginner looking for your first smart telescope or an experienced astronomer searching for the ultimate grab-and-go imaging companion, the Dwarf Mini is easy to recommend.

Finally...This may seem like a touchy subject, but... I've recently received The Seestar S30 Pro; and The Dwarf Mini has been holding it's own in side-by-side comparisons - Truly amazing! Especially when one considers the much higher price of The S30 Pro. 

Going forward, I may be making some minor additions and updates to this review.

Until next time...

Clear skies!

“All of us get lost in the darkness / Dreamers learn to steer by the stars” - Neil Peart

Stargazing Starts Where You Are: Why the DWARF mini Approach Matters

“When you really love a hobby, you genuinely want to share it with as many people as possible”

-Al Milano 😉

For many people interested in astronomy, the biggest obstacle is not curiosity — it’s complexity.

Traditional astronomy can feel intimidating at first:

• heavy equipment

• confusing setup procedures

• polar alignment

• complicated software

• expensive gear

• and the constant feeling that you need the “perfect” dark-sky location before you can even begin.

That’s exactly why I find the emerging direction behind the DWARF Mini so interesting.

The company is preparing a new “First Night Kit” initiative built around a simple but surprisingly important idea:

Stargazing Starts Where You Are.

And honestly, that message resonates.

Because the reality is that most people do not begin astronomy from a remote desert observatory under pristine Bortle 1 skies.

They start:

• from a backyard

• on an apartment balcony

• at a campsite

• from a driveway

• or from whatever ordinary location they already have access to.

That first experience matters enormously.

If the setup is frustrating, overwhelming, or overly technical, many beginners simply give up before they ever experience the magic that got them interested in astronomy in the first place.

The appeal of compact smart telescopes like the DWARF Mini, is that they attempt to lower that barrier dramatically.

Portable, approachable astronomy has become one of the most important trends in the hobby over the past few years. Devices like the DWARF Mini are designed around the idea that astronomy should fit into real life — not require completely rearranging your life around the equipment.

Again, we must keep in mind that we’re talking about first time beginners here. Experienced amateur astronomers and Astrophotographers, like myself and many of you: we actually enjoy some of the complexity required with full traditional Astrophotography rigs. They not only offer a challenge, but many of the advanced features are very neat!

Getting back to the subject of portability, when using compact, smart telescopes - That portability changes the experience in practical ways:

• easier spontaneous observing sessions

• faster setup times

• less intimidation for beginners

• easier travel

• simpler sharing with family and friends

And perhaps most importantly, it encourages people to actually use the telescope more often.

Because the best telescope is still the one you’re willing to take outside.

What I particularly like about the “Stargazing Starts Where You Are” philosophy is that it acknowledges something experienced astronomers sometimes forget:

Beginners do not need perfection to become excited about astronomy.

They need success.

They need a first nebula.
A first galaxy.
A first Moon image.
A first moment where the night sky suddenly feels personal and accessible rather than distant and technical.

That first successful experience can become the foundation for a lifelong hobby.

Will a compact smart telescope replace large traditional astrophotography rigs? Of course not.

But that misses the point entirely.

The goal here is accessibility — creating a realistic and enjoyable entry point for people who may otherwise never take the first step into astronomy at all.

And in that respect, the direction behind the DWARF mini feels very aligned with where the hobby itself is evolving:

• simpler

• more portable

• more approachable

• and more connected to how people actually live.

Because in the end, astronomy doesn’t have to begin at a dark-sky observatory.

Sometimes it begins exactly where you already are. 

Until next time,

Clear skies!

Great Stuff I Got From Dwarf Lab!

 Just wanted to share a pic of the great swag which Dwarf Lab sent me!

Introduction To Astronomy - Full Presentation - Both The Dwarf II And The Seestar S50 Covered!!

Featuring Full Reviews of Both The Dwarf II and Seestar S50

Smart Telescopes!

Support Information

Book – Turn Left At Orion

Dwarf II Smart Telescope

ZWO SeeStar S50

Stellarium app

SkySafari app 

Review: The Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope

The Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope

“There are only two ways of looking at the world: one is as if everything is a miracle, the other is as though nothing is”

- Einstein 

I can say right from the beginning, that I am very grateful for the existence of The Dwarf 3; and for that matter, smart telescopes in general.

They truly are little miracles. 🔭 

Let’s start by having a look at how The Dwarf 3 arrived to me, here in New York.

I purchased the complete package, with optional Dwarf Tripod, directly from DwarfLabs.

Unpacking The Dwarf III

It is 222 x 142 x 65mm in size, and weighs only 2lbs 14Oz (1.3kg). The optional tripod adds 1lb 7Oz (0.65kg), while the carry case is 21Oz (0.6kg.). Making the full kit is very easy to carry and manage.

I would urge you to have a look at the neat comparison chart (Dwarf 3 vs Dwarf 2) which may be found by scrolling down on this DwarfLabs page It shows all the major features, side-by-side.

As ordered, with the optional tripod, the total cost to me (here in New York, USA) was $629 US Dollars. It's actually going for a little less at the time of this writing. As always, I would encourage the reader to shop around for the best price.

The major features include: 

A larger 35mm diameter apochromatic objective, along with a larger 3.4mm wide field lens. 

A longer 150mm focal length. 

A Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 imaging chip.

The overall exterior design may be described as a slightly larger version of The Dwarf 2. As with The Dwarf 2 (and every other smart telescope) it is controlled by your iOS smartphone, tablet, or Android device. The software is fast and free to download, and is also being improved from time to time. It's called The Dwarflab app. The controls are conveniently located on screen, and as of November 2025, include: General Mode, Deep Sky, Solar System, Auto-Capture, and Pano.

General Mode enables access to: Photo, Burst, Video and Time Lapse.

Just pulled indoors after an imaging session

I found it very easy to use, but requiring a bit of patience at times: The unit must calibrate itself for a couple of minutes, after locating an object. In my case, it's always DSO's!

The Dwarf 3 would be ideal for someone who would like the ability to get involved in their astrophotography. It is designed to allow the user (if willing) to:

• Select and stack their own sub frames (individual exposures) within the built-in Stellar Studio App.
• Export and stack the subframes in a (non-Dwarf) application of their choice (DeepSkyStacker, etc.).
• Tinker with the different exposure settings (when acquiring images).
• On board photo adjustments are also available while imaging DSO's, such as curves, etc. Although I found them to be too drastic/dramatic when I experimented with them. 

Just a quick shot of a section of Milky Way

(very little post processing applied)

It also features the ability to take very nice Milky Way shots. It is provided with appropriate solar filters for taking convenient images of the Sun. As well as daytime photos of wildlife, etc. I haven't used these features yet (DSO's are always on my mind!).

I will mention, that I've tracked down and imaged several planetary nebulae with it - and although it's not ideally suited for this, I was satisfied with the results on the (slightly larger, non-Messier) planetary nebulae. 

I found the overall accuracy of it's goto abilities to be satisfactory. The unit features overnight scheduling ability: 

For example: Program it to image Object A for 1 hour, Object B for 30 minutes, Object C for 2 hours, then shut down. Pretty neat!

Pros:

• Compact and easily portable.
• The user can choose to be involved in the astrophotography process, by utilizing Polar alignment and 3rd party stacking software.
• Good value for what you get: It's quite versatile.
• Everything is easy and fully automated.
• Includes Megastack - The ability to stack previously stacked results, into one combined final image.
• Proven to have excellent wireless range, and robust enough to be left out all night.

Cons:

• App has frozen on occasion.
• It does take a couple of minutes, from locating object (DSO) to commence shooting.
• My (low budget) iPhone SE displays warning messages about not having enough space - luckily, it still functions anyway. Users with newer/more capable phones and tablets will be fine.

In summary, there's no denying that this new Dwarf 3 produces! 

I've seen many outstanding imaging results, from users across the country (here in The US). Some users may choose to participate in the astrophotography workflow by performing polar alignment and using third-party stacking software - When coupled with good exposure times (~1-4 hours) the resulting DSO images have been stunning!

The Dwarf III has acquired the nicest looking result of M45 I've ever seen from any previous (affordable) smart telescope; and in only 6 Min. 15".

After acquiring your stacked image, you upload it to the Dwarf Labs' cloud (Stellar Studio), select what you'd like done (I always choose Auto), and in a few minutes, the image appears, fully enhanced!

I was just the slightest bit "skeptical" at first myself, but the results speak for themselves.

Here is an image of M16, with only Star Correction applied.

It's fun to have the different options to choose from when using the built-in Stellar Studio App! In my experience (of only a few months) I've always relied on Dwarf Labs' (built-in) Stellar Studio (cloud based) tool for final processing. I have been more than satisfied with the results. I believe it may have spoiled me! The results have been so good, that I don't even use any 3rd party stacking/processing app - However, I am definitely looking forward to trying some!

It's convenient to have the subframes available (located in the telescope itself). Since there are some images I'd really like to put some more effort into...

The Soul Nebula, in under 30 minutes!

If you'd also like to see just what The Dwarf III is capable of, have a look at the results obtained by Dwarf 3 owners in the Dwarf 3 online communities and groups (Facebook has several).

You will come across some amazing results from other amateurs. The hobbyists who have dedicated several hours of exposure time per object.

Polar aligning The Dwarf 3, opens up a world of possibilities resulting from longer sub-exposures.

I am planning on adding some more updates and details to this review, so check back from time to time…

Some Dwarf 3 owners are using serious tools like PixInsight; and utilizing various palettes, and have created stunning end results. In any case, The Dwarf 3 certainly deserves a closer look!

Clear skies!