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telescopecomparison · 2-way

William Optics GT 71 vs William Optics Zenithstar 81 II

William Optics GT 71
William Optics

GT 71

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

William Optics Zenithstar 81 II
William Optics

Zenithstar 81 II

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

Key differences

-12% focal length
-12% aperture

Specifications

SpecificationWilliam Optics GT 71William Optics Zenithstar 81 II
Optics
Typerefractorrefractor
Optical designApo triplet FPL-53Apo doublet FPL-53
Aperture71mm81mm
Focal length420mm478mm
Native f/ratiof/5.9f/5.9
Image circle44mm44mm
Full-frame supportYesYes
Physical
Weight3.4kg3.6kg
Advantages of William Optics GT 71
  • Wider field — 420mm vs 478mm focal length
Advantages of William Optics Zenithstar 81 II
  • Tighter framing — 478mm vs 420mm focal length
  • 14% more light-gathering aperture
Best for — William Optics GT 71
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — William Optics Zenithstar 81 II
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
William Optics GT 71 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.91° × 3.27°Scale: 1.85"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.21° × 2.14°Scale: 1.85"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.54° × 1.54°Scale: 1.85"/px
William Optics Zenithstar 81 II — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.32° × 2.88°Scale: 1.62"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.82° × 1.88°Scale: 1.62"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.35° × 1.35°Scale: 1.62"/px
William Optics GT 71 — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

William Optics Zenithstar 81 II — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

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