telescopecomparison · 2-way
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 vs Askar 120APO
Explore Scientific
ED152 FCD-100
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Askar
120APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+36% focal length
+27% aperture
Slower by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 | Askar 120APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet FCD-100 | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 152mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 1140mm | 840mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.0kg | 8.5kg |
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Tighter framing — 1140mm vs 840mm focal length
- 27% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Askar 120APO
- Wider field — 840mm vs 1140mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.5
- Lighter (8.5kg vs 12kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar 120APO
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.81° × 1.21°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 0.79°Scale: 0.68"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.57° × 0.57°Scale: 0.68"/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
Explore Scientific ED152 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Askar 120APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.