Astrophotoguru · Compare

telescopecomparison · 2-way

Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED vs Askar FRA400

Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED
Sky-Watcher

Esprit 150ED

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.

Askar FRA400
Askar

FRA400

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

Key differences

+163% focal length
+108% aperture
Slower by 1.4 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationSky-Watcher Esprit 150EDAskar FRA400
Optics
TypeRefractorRefractor
Optical designTriplet APOPetzval Quintuplet APO
Aperture150mm72mm
Focal length1050mm400mm
Native f/ratiof/7.0f/5.6
Image circle44mm44mm
Full-frame supportYesYes
Physical
Weight17.0kg3.9kg
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED
  • Tighter framing — 1050mm vs 400mm focal length
  • 108% more light-gathering aperture
Advantages of Askar FRA400
  • Wider field — 400mm vs 1050mm focal length
  • Faster optics at f/5.6 vs f/7
  • Lighter (3.9kg vs 17kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED
  • Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar FRA400
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.96° × 1.31°Scale: 0.74"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.28° × 0.86°Scale: 0.74"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 0.62° × 0.62°Scale: 0.74"/px
Askar FRA400 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 5.16° × 3.44°Scale: 1.94"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.37° × 2.25°Scale: 1.94"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.62° × 1.62°Scale: 1.94"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED — recommended user

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.

Askar FRA400 — recommended user

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

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