telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi TSA-120 vs Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
Takahashi
TSA-120
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi
Epsilon-160ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+70% focal length
-25% aperture
Slower by 4.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi TSA-120 | Takahashi Epsilon-160ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | Newtonian |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Hyperbolic astrograph |
| Aperture | 120mm | 160mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 530mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/3.3 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 7.5kg | 10.0kg |
Advantages of Takahashi TSA-120
- Tighter framing — 900mm vs 530mm focal length
- Lighter (7.5kg vs 10kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Wider field — 530mm vs 900mm focal length
- 33% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/3.3 vs f/7.5
Best for — Takahashi TSA-120
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
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 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
Takahashi TSA-120 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.