telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 vs Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
Explore Scientific
ED127 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 120ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+13% focal length
+6% aperture
Slower by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 | Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 127mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 952mm | 840mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 40mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 8.6kg | 11.5kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- Tighter framing — 952mm vs 840mm focal length
- Lighter (8.6kg vs 11.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Wider field — 840mm vs 952mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.5
Best for — Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.17° × 1.44°Scale: 0.81"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.41° × 0.94°Scale: 0.81"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.68° × 0.68°Scale: 0.81"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — 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
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
