telescopecomparison · 2-way
Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED vs Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 150ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+110% focal length
-17% aperture
Slower by 4.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | astrograph |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Hyperbolic Newtonian |
| Aperture | 150mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 1050mm | 500mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/2.8 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 17.0kg | 12.5kg |
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED
- Tighter framing — 1050mm vs 500mm focal length
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Wider field — 500mm vs 1050mm focal length
- 20% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/7
- Lighter (12.5kg 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 — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- 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
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.