telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED vs SharpStar 100QII
Takahashi
Epsilon-160ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
SharpStar
100QII
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+60% aperture
Faster by 2.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-160ED | SharpStar 100QII |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Newtonian | refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic astrograph | Quadruplet astrograph |
| Aperture | 160mm | 100mm |
| Focal length | 530mm | 550mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/3.3 | f/5.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 10.0kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- 60% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/3.3 vs f/5.5
Advantages of SharpStar 100QII
- Lighter (5.5kg vs 10kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — SharpStar 100QII
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — 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
SharpStar 100QII — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.75° × 2.50°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.45° × 1.64°Scale: 1.41"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.18° × 1.18°Scale: 1.41"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
SharpStar 100QII — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.