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telescopecomparison · 2-way

William Optics Zenithstar 61 II vs ZWO FF65 APO

William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
William Optics

Zenithstar 61 II

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

ZWO FF65 APO
ZWO

FF65 APO

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

Key differences

-13% focal length
-6% aperture
Faster by 0.5 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationWilliam Optics Zenithstar 61 IIZWO FF65 APO
Optics
Typerefractorrefractor
Optical designApo doublet FPL-53Quintuplet air-spaced APO (two ED elements)
Aperture61mm65mm
Focal length360mm416mm
Native f/ratiof/5.9f/6.4
Image circle44mm44mm
Full-frame supportNoYes
Physical
Weight1.9kg2.0kg
Advantages of William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
  • Wider field — 360mm vs 416mm focal length
  • Faster optics at f/5.9 vs f/6.4
Advantages of ZWO FF65 APO
  • Tighter framing — 416mm vs 360mm focal length
Best for — William Optics Zenithstar 61 II
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Best for — ZWO FF65 APO
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
William Optics Zenithstar 61 II — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 5.73° × 3.82°Scale: 2.15"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.74° × 2.50°Scale: 2.15"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.80° × 1.80°Scale: 2.15"/px
ZWO FF65 APO — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.96° × 3.31°Scale: 1.86"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 3.24° × 2.16°Scale: 1.86"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.56° × 1.56°Scale: 1.86"/px
William Optics Zenithstar 61 II — recommended user

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

ZWO FF65 APO — recommended user

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

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