telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FSQ-85EDX vs Takahashi TSA-120
Takahashi
FSQ-85EDX
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
Takahashi
TSA-120
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-50% focal length
-29% aperture
Faster by 2.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FSQ-85EDX | Takahashi TSA-120 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Petzval APO | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 85mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 450mm | 900mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.3 | f/7.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 4.0kg | 7.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
- Wider field — 450mm vs 900mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5.3 vs f/7.5
- Lighter (4kg vs 7.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi TSA-120
- Tighter framing — 900mm vs 450mm focal length
- 41% more light-gathering aperture
Best for — Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi TSA-120
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi FSQ-85EDX — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.58° × 3.06°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.99° × 2.00°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.44° × 1.44°Scale: 1.72"/px
Takahashi TSA-120 — 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
Takahashi FSQ-85EDX — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
Takahashi TSA-120 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.