telescopecomparison · 2-way
ZWO Seestar S50 vs ZWO FF80 APO
ZWO
FF80 APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
-55% focal length
-37% aperture
Faster by 2.0 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | ZWO Seestar S50 | ZWO FF80 APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | smart-telescope | refractor |
| Optical design | Apo triplet all-in-one | Apo doublet FCD-100 |
| Aperture | 50mm | 80mm |
| Focal length | 250mm | 560mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/5.0 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | — | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | No | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 2.5kg | 4.0kg |
Advantages of ZWO Seestar S50
- Wider field — 250mm vs 560mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/5 vs f/7
- Lighter (2.5kg vs 4kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of ZWO FF80 APO
- Tighter framing — 560mm vs 250mm focal length
- 60% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — ZWO Seestar S50
- Wide-field nebulae and Milky Way regions
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
Best for — ZWO FF80 APO
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
ZWO Seestar S50 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 8.25° × 5.50°Scale: 3.10"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 5.39° × 3.60°Scale: 3.10"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.59° × 2.59°Scale: 3.10"/px
ZWO FF80 APO — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.68° × 2.46°Scale: 1.38"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.40° × 1.61°Scale: 1.38"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.16° × 1.16°Scale: 1.38"/px
ZWO Seestar S50 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
ZWO FF80 APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.