Celestron Origin Mark II – What’s New & How Does it Compare?

The Celestron Origin Mark II Intelligent Home Observatory (smart telescope) has just been released, serving as an upgraded version of the original Origin, which debuted in 2024.

While the core device retains its impressive features, including the 6-inch RASA Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (which offers significantly higher aperture than most other smart models), the Mark 2 brings two key differences:

1. One being a major internal upgrade
2. The other, a pleasant surprise for your wallet

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Key Upgrades for the MK2

The most significant change in the Mark 2 is the upgraded camera sensor:

• New Sensor: The previous 6.4-megapixel internal camera has been replaced with an 8.3-megapixel camera.
• Sensor Type: This new camera uses the high-performance Sony IMX 678 sensor, the same one found in dedicated cameras like the ZWO ASI 678MC.
• Price Drop: Surprisingly, the Mark 2 has also come down in price from the original Origin model.

This combination of a powerful 6-inch RASA optic and a higher-resolution, more sensitive sensor solidifies the Celestron Origin MK2 as arguably the best smart telescope you can buy for pure astrophotography performance.

The Trade-Offs: Weight and Ease of Use

However, the telescope’s focus on raw performance comes with some notable trade-offs:

• Heavy Design: This is not a “grab-and-go” smart telescope. It weighs more than twice as much as any other model, making it less portable than smaller units. The total system weight is listed at around 41.6 lb (18.87 kg).
• Set-Up Complexity: Unlike the super-simple Unistella or Vaonis models, the Origin MK2 is more complex and requires occasional collimation.
• AZ Mount: Astrophotography enthusiasts will note that the mount, borrowed from the Celestron NexStar Evolution line, is an Alt-Azimuth (AZ) mount. This is less than optimal for long-exposure imaging; for the smoothest tracking and best results, an equatorial mount is generally preferred (even budget smart telescopes like the Dwarf 3 now offer equatorial modes).

In short, the Origin MK2 is a dedicated astrophotography tool with a simple interface, but it demands more effort from the user than its competitors. The camera, while good and upgraded, is essentially equivalent to a good budget planetary camera.

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Want to see how the Celestron Origin Mark 2 stacks up against the competition?

Check out the full video below where I break down and compare the leading smart telescopes by resolution, aperture, size, weight, price, and overall ease of use.

See here for more smart telescope reviews.