telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED vs SharpStar 100QII
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
SharpStar
100QII
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-9% focal length
+80% aperture
Faster by 2.7 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED | SharpStar 100QII |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic Newtonian | Quadruplet astrograph |
| Aperture | 180mm | 100mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 550mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.8 | f/5.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.5kg | 5.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- 80% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/5.5
Advantages of SharpStar 100QII
- Lighter (5.5kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- 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-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
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-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
SharpStar 100QII — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.