telescopecomparison · 2-way
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED vs Tele Vue TV-85
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 120ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Tele Vue
TV-85
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
+40% focal length
+41% aperture
Specifications
| Specification | Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED | Tele Vue TV-85 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | refractor |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Apo doublet |
| Aperture | 120mm | 85mm |
| Focal length | 840mm | 600mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 11.5kg | 2.9kg |
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Tighter framing — 840mm vs 600mm focal length
- 41% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Tele Vue TV-85
- Wider field — 600mm vs 840mm focal length
- Lighter (2.9kg 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 — Tele Vue TV-85
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
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
Tele Vue TV-85 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.44° × 2.29°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.24° × 1.50°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.08° × 1.08°Scale: 1.29"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Tele Vue TV-85 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.