telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 vs ZWO FF107 APO
Explore Scientific
ED127 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
ZWO
FF107 APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+27% focal length
+19% aperture
Slower by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 | ZWO FF107 APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Quintuplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 127mm | 107mm |
| Focal length | 952mm | 749mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 40mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 8.6kg | 7.2kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- Tighter framing — 952mm vs 749mm focal length
- 19% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of ZWO FF107 APO
- Wider field — 749mm vs 952mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.5
- Lighter (7.2kg vs 8.6kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — ZWO FF107 APO
- 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
ZWO FF107 APO — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.75° × 1.84°Scale: 1.04"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.80° × 1.20°Scale: 1.04"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.86° × 0.86°Scale: 1.04"/px
Explore Scientific ED127 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
ZWO FF107 APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
