telescopecomparison · 2-way
Askar SQA85 vs ZWO FF80 APO
ZWO
FF80 APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
-11% focal length
+6% aperture
Faster by 1.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Askar SQA85 | ZWO FF80 APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Quadruplet astrograph FPL-51 | Apo doublet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 85mm | 80mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 560mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.8 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 4.4kg | 4.0kg |
Advantages of Askar SQA85
- Wider field — 500mm vs 560mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5.8 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of ZWO FF80 APO
- Tighter framing — 560mm vs 500mm focal length
Best for — Askar SQA85
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — ZWO FF80 APO
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Askar SQA85 — 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
ZWO FF80 APO — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.68° × 2.46°Scale: 1.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.40° × 1.61°Scale: 1.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.16° × 1.16°Scale: 1.38"/px
Askar SQA85 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
ZWO FF80 APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.