telescopecomparison · 2-way
Celestron RASA 14 vs Askar 120APO
Celestron
RASA 14
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Askar
120APO
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-6% focal length
+197% aperture
Faster by 4.8 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Celestron RASA 14 | Askar 120APO |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | Refractor |
| Optical design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph | Triplet APO |
| Aperture | 356mm | 120mm |
| Focal length | 790mm | 840mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.2 | f/7.0 |
| Image circle | 52mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 30.0kg | 8.5kg |
Advantages of Celestron RASA 14
- 197% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.22 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Askar 120APO
- Lighter (8.5kg vs 30kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Celestron RASA 14
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Faint-object imaging under dark skies
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar 120APO
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Celestron RASA 14 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.61° × 1.74°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.70° × 1.14°Scale: 0.98"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.82° × 0.82°Scale: 0.98"/px
Askar 120APO — 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
Celestron RASA 14 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a permanent observatory setup.
Askar 120APO — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
