telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FC-100DL vs Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
Takahashi
FC-100DL
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Sky-Watcher
Esprit 120ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+7% focal length
-17% aperture
Slower by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FC-100DL | Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Apo doublet fluorite | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 100mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 840mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/9.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 3.3kg | 11.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FC-100DL
- Lighter (3.3kg vs 11.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- 20% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/7 vs f/9
Best for — Takahashi FC-100DL
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- High-resolution long-exposure work
Best for — Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi FC-100DL — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.29° × 1.53°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.50° × 1.00°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.72° × 0.72°Scale: 0.86"/px
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
Takahashi FC-100DL — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
