telescopecomparison · 2-way
Askar 120APO vs SharpStar 100QII

Askar
120APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

SharpStar
100QII
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+53% focal length
+20% aperture
Slower by 1.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Askar 120APO | SharpStar 100QII |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Quadruplet astrograph |
| Aperture | 120mm | 100mm |
| Focal length | 840mm | 550mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/5.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 8.5kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Askar 120APO
- Tighter framing — 840mm vs 550mm focal length
- 20% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of SharpStar 100QII
- Wider field — 550mm vs 840mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5.5 vs f/7
- Lighter (5.5kg vs 8.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Askar 120APO
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — SharpStar 100QII
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Askar 120APO — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.46° × 1.64°Scale: 0.92"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.60° × 1.07°Scale: 0.92"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.77° × 0.77°Scale: 0.92"/px
SharpStar 100QII — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.75° × 2.50°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.45° × 1.64°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 1.18°Scale: 1.41"/px
Askar 120APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
SharpStar 100QII — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.