telescopecomparison · 2-way
Askar FRA500 vs Askar 120APO
Askar
120APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-40% focal length
-25% aperture
Faster by 1.4 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Askar FRA500 | Askar 120APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Petzval Quintuplet APO | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 90mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 840mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.6 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 60mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 5.4kg | 8.5kg |
Advantages of Askar FRA500
- Wider field — 500mm vs 840mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5.6 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (5.4kg vs 8.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Askar 120APO
- Tighter framing — 840mm vs 500mm focal length
- 33% more light-gathering aperture
Best for — Askar FRA500
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar 120APO
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Askar FRA500 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
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
Askar FRA500 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.
Askar 120APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.