telescopecomparison · 2-way
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED vs Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 120ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi
FSQ-106EDX4
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+58% focal length
+13% aperture
Slower by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED | Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Petzval APO |
| Aperture | 120mm | 106mm |
| Focal length | 840mm | 530mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/5.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 88mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 11.5kg | 7.5kg |
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Tighter framing — 840mm vs 530mm focal length
- 13% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4
- Wider field — 530mm vs 840mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (88mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (7.5kg vs 11.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
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
Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.89° × 2.59°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.54° × 1.70°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.22° × 1.22°Scale: 1.46"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi FSQ-106EDX4 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.