Dwarf Mini Redefines Smart Telescopes with Ultra-Lightweight Design

Dwarf Mini: Lightweight Smart Telescope for Astrophotography on the Go – Reviewed

For the first time, the Dwarf Mini breaks the 1-kilogram barrier for smart telescopes. Our test reveals whether its image quality can compete with larger models.

December 16, 2025

For roughly two years, Chinese manufacturers ZWO (Zhen Wang Optical) and Dwarflab have been locked in a race to produce the smallest and lightest smart telescope. Until now, ZWO led the pack with its Seestar S30. But Dwarflab has raised the stakes with the Dwarf Mini, a compact iteration of its Dwarf III model.

Setting up this diminutive telescope takes less than ten minutes—even for beginners. A standout achievement is its weight: Dwarflab has managed to bring this class of device under one kilogram for the first time. Like the Dwarf III, the Mini does not include a tripod, though it is compatible with standard camera mounts. The design retains the proven structure of a movable arm on a horizontally rotating base, an azimuthal mount that can track any point in the sky without requiring complex alignment.

Technically, the Dwarf Mini closely mirrors the Seestar S30—both capture images in Full HD, unlike the Dwarf III's 4K resolution. The Mini comes with multiple built-in filters: an astro filter to combat light pollution, a narrowband filter for specific wavelengths, and a "black filter" to darken the sensor. The included solar filter attaches magnetically to the front lens.