telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron RASA 14 vs Celestron C8 SCT
Celestron
RASA 14
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
-61% focal length
+75% aperture
Faster by 7.8 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron RASA 14 | Celestron C8 SCT |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | sct |
| Optical design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph | Schmidt-Cassegrain |
| Aperture | 356mm | 203mm |
| Focal length | 790mm | 2032mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.2 | f/10.0 |
| Image circle | 52mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 30.0kg | 5.7kg |
Advantages of Celestron RASA 14
- Wider field — 790mm vs 2032mm focal length
- 75% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.22 vs f/10
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Celestron C8 SCT
- Tighter framing — 2032mm vs 790mm focal length
- Lighter (5.7kg vs 30kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Celestron RASA 14
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Celestron C8 SCT
- Small galaxies, planetary nebulae, lunar & planetary detail
- High-resolution long-exposure work
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
Celestron RASA 14 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.61° × 1.74°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.70° × 1.14°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.82° × 0.82°Scale: 0.98"/px
Celestron C8 SCT — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.02° × 0.68°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.66° × 0.44°Scale: 0.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.32° × 0.32°Scale: 0.38"/px
Celestron RASA 14 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Celestron C8 SCT — recommended user
Best suited for experienced imagers chasing detail running a backyard imaging setup.