telescopecomparison · 2-way
Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED vs Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 100ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific
ED80 FCD-100
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
+15% focal length
+25% aperture
Faster by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED | Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Apo triplet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 100mm | 80mm |
| Focal length | 550mm | 480mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.5 | f/6.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 8.6kg | 4.5kg |
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED
- Tighter framing — 550mm vs 480mm focal length
- 25% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/5.5 vs f/6
Advantages of Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100
- Wider field — 480mm vs 550mm focal length
- Lighter (4.5kg vs 8.6kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.75° × 2.50°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.45° × 1.64°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 1.18°Scale: 1.41"/px
Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.30° × 2.86°Scale: 1.62"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.81° × 1.87°Scale: 1.62"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.35° × 1.35°Scale: 1.62"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Explore Scientific ED80 FCD-100 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.