Celestron Origin Mark II
A Celestron smart telescope with a fast f/2.2 optical system
At a glance
Good seeing6.3 out of 10
The Origin Mark II pairs a 152 mm aperture with a fast f/2.2 focal ratio, an 8.3 MP sensor and autofocus.
Five scores, from 1 to 10
- Light graspaperture, against every scope listed here9.8
- Detailfocal length and pixel size6.9
- Field of viewhow much sky fits in one frame4.2
- Portabilitycarry weight, without the tripod2
- Easebattery, autofocus, dew heater, light pollution handling8.7
Mean score 6.3 out of 10
The sums behind these figures are set out on how scores work. With no figure from the maker, a row stays empty.
Compared with Unistellar
Unistellar Odyssey Pro
from £3,699Price at Unistellar's UK shop, 23 October 2026
| Spec | Celestron Origin Mark II | Unistellar Odyssey Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | 152 mm | 85 mm |
| Weight | 18.87 kg | 4 kg |
| Focal length | 335 mm | 320 mm |
See the price at UnistellarRead the Unistellar Odyssey Pro page
Field and imaging
The 1.32° x 0.75° field of view, according to the maker, frames objects across a broad rectangle, with the longer side setting the width of the main camera's view. That gives you a useful indication of how much sky a single composition can cover.
The Sony IMX678 image sensor records 8.3 MP images at a resolution of 3856 x 2180 pixels. A 2 µm pixel size pairs with the optics' 335 mm focal length, setting the sampling scale for detail in the captured image.
Celestron places the camera sensor at the front of the tube. Autofocus is included, so focusing is handled by the telescope's imaging system rather than a manual focuser.
Optics and mount
The 152 mm (6 in) aperture is the Origin Mark II's light-gathering opening, while its 335 mm focal length and f/2.2 focal ratio describe a short, fast optical system. Its optical design is a Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt astrograph, controlled as a smart telescope through the Celestron Origin app.
The alt-azimuth mount points the telescope across the sky without an equatorial setup. During long exposures, field rotation is a consideration with an alt-azimuth mount.
An integrated filter drawer accepts add-on filters. This describes the holder, rather than a particular filter supplied or installed. A dew heater is built in, a relevant feature when dew forms on telescope optics during a damp garden session.
See it at CelestronCelestron Origin Mark II, from £3,699, Typical UK retail price, 23 October 2026
Power, weight and operation
The maker states a battery life of 6 hours and a battery capacity of 97.9 Wh. The Celestron Origin app runs on iOS and Android, providing the control interface for the telescope's automated imaging features.
The optical tube weighs 4.8 kg and the mount weighs 7.7 kg. According to the maker, the combined 12.5 kg carried weight excludes the tripod; the full system weighs 18.87 kg with its 6.35 kg tripod. That distinction matters when planning where to set up your equipment in the garden.
How it compares
Light grasp: The 152 mm aperture places it ahead of most instruments compared.
Detail: The 335 mm focal length and 2 µm pixels put its finer limit ahead of most instruments compared.
Field: The 1.32° long side gives a middle-sized field among the telescopes compared.
Portability: The 12.5 kg carried weight makes it heavier to carry out than most instruments compared.
Ease: The 6-hour battery, autofocus and dew heater support longer hands-off operation than most instruments compared.
Verdict
The Origin Mark II combines a large 152 mm aperture with a fast f/2.2 focal ratio, a wide rectangular camera field and built-in autofocus. Its carried weight is substantial, while its battery, autofocus and dew heater contribute to the ease ranking.
Specifications
| Optical design | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Focal length | 335 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/2.2 |
| Sensor | Sony IMX678, 8.3 MP |
| Pixel size | 2 µm |
| Image size | 3856 × 2180 px |
| Field of view | 1.32° × 0.75° |
| Limiting magnitude (maker's figure) | not stated by the maker |
| Mount | Alt-azimuth |
| Electronic eyepiece | not stated by the maker |
| Filters built in | integrated filter drawer for 1.25 in or 2 in filters |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Battery life (maker's figure) | 6 h, 97.9 Wh |
| Weight | 18.87 kg |
| Storage | not stated by the maker |
| Dew heater | Yes |
| Weather rating | not stated by the maker |
| App | Celestron Origin app (iOS and Android) |
Source: the maker's own specification sheet. Where it says "not stated by the maker", the maker has not given that figure so far.
Versions: 2 to choose from
Typical UK retail price, 23 October 2026. Each row leads to that version at the shop.
Strengths and limits
- The maker states a 152 mm (6 in) aperture, gathering more light than most telescopes in this comparison.
- A 335 mm focal length and 2 µm pixel size give finer detail than most of the compared telescopes.
- The maker lists an 8.3 MP Sony IMX678 image sensor, 3856 x 2180 pixel image resolution and a 1.32° x 0.75° field of view.
- Autofocus, a dew heater and battery life of 6 hours, according to the maker, support extended operation with fewer manual adjustments.
- The Celestron Origin app is available for iOS and Android.
- At 12.5 kg without the tripod, according to the maker, it is heavier to carry than most of the compared telescopes.
- The full system weighs 18.87 kg with its 6.35 kg tripod, according to the maker.
- The alt-azimuth mount and the maker-stated field of view of 1.32° x 0.75° place the camera field in the middle of this comparison.
Who it suits, and which skies
For faint galaxies
A good match if you want a 152 mm aperture, app control with autofocus, or a stated 6-hour battery life.
Less so if you need a lighter carry or a wider camera field than 1.32° x 0.75°.
Bundles and prices for each version sit in the table above; the current line-up is on the shop's own page.
Questions about the Celestron Origin Mark II
- How much weight should you carry to set it up?
- The maker gives a weight of 12.5 kg without the tripod. The full system weighs 18.87 kg with its 6.35 kg tripod.
- How long is the stated battery life for a night under a city sky?
- The maker rates the 97.9 Wh battery for 6 hours.
- What field of view does the camera provide?
- The maker states a field of view of 1.32° x 0.75° and image resolution of 3856 x 2180 pixels.
- Does it have autofocus?
- Yes. The maker lists autofocus, with a Sony IMX678 image sensor rated at 8.3 MP and a pixel size of 2 µm.
- Which app does it use, and which phones support it?
- It uses the Celestron Origin app, listed by the maker for iOS and Android.
Photos
Last light
The maker's specifications point to strong light gathering and fine detail from the 152 mm aperture, 335 mm focal length and 2 µm pixels. The 1.32° x 0.75° field of view sits in the middle of this comparison, while the 12.5 kg weight without the tripod makes it a substantial carry. A 97.9 Wh battery is rated for 6 hours by the maker, alongside autofocus and a dew heater.
See it at Celestronfrom £3,699, Typical UK retail price, 23 October 2026
Field notes that mention it
Nearby in the sky: similar scopes
- Unistellar eVscope 2114 mm, 7 kg, 0.76° × 0.57°, £4,199
- Unistellar eQuinox 2114 mm, 7 kg, 0.76° × 0.57°, £2,299
- Unistellar Odyssey Pro85 mm, 4 kg, 0.75° × 0.56°, from £3,699
- Unistellar Odyssey85 mm, 4 kg, 0.75° × 0.56°, £2,099