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telescopecomparison · 2-way

Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED vs Takahashi TSA-120

Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
Sky-Watcher

Esprit 120ED

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

Takahashi TSA-120
Takahashi

TSA-120

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

Key differences

-7% focal length
Faster by 0.5 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationSky-Watcher Esprit 120EDTakahashi TSA-120
Optics
TypeRefractorRefractor
Optical designTriplet APOTriplet APO
Aperture120mm120mm
Focal length840mm900mm
Native f/ratiof/7.0f/7.5
Image circle44mm44mm
Full-frame supportYesYes
Physical
Weight11.5kg7.5kg
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
  • Faster optics at f/7 vs f/7.5
Advantages of Takahashi TSA-120
  • 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 TSA-120
  • Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
  • 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 TSA-120 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.29° × 1.53°Scale: 0.86"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.50° × 1.00°Scale: 0.86"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 0.72° × 0.72°Scale: 0.86"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — recommended user

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

Takahashi TSA-120 — recommended user

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

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