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telescopecomparison · 2-way

SharpStar 61EDPH III vs William Optics RedCat 71

SharpStar 61EDPH III
SharpStar

61EDPH III

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

William Optics RedCat 71
William Optics

RedCat 71

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

Key differences

-14% aperture
Slower by 0.6 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationSharpStar 61EDPH IIIWilliam Optics RedCat 71
Optics
TypeRefractorRefractor
Optical designDoublet APOPetzval APO
Aperture61mm71mm
Focal length335mm350mm
Native f/ratiof/5.5f/4.9
Image circle32mm45mm
Full-frame supportNoYes
Physical
Weight2.4kg2.7kg
Advantages of SharpStar 61EDPH III

Closely matched on the compared specs.

Advantages of William Optics RedCat 71
  • 16% more light-gathering aperture
  • Faster optics at f/4.9 vs f/5.5
  • Larger image circle (45mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — SharpStar 61EDPH III
  • Wide-field nebulae and Milky Way regions
Best for — William Optics RedCat 71
  • Wide-field nebulae and Milky Way regions
  • Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
SharpStar 61EDPH III — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 6.16° × 4.11°Scale: 2.32"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.02° × 2.69°Scale: 2.32"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.93° × 1.93°Scale: 2.32"/px
William Optics RedCat 71 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 5.89° × 3.93°Scale: 2.22"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.85° × 2.57°Scale: 2.22"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.85° × 1.85°Scale: 2.22"/px
SharpStar 61EDPH III — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

William Optics RedCat 71 — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

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