By Alexander Merz · Published on · Details checked on 14 September 2026
The Askar SQA55 has become a favorite among many astrophotographers in no time – AstroBackyard even devoted a dedicated review recommendation to it. The reason: it combines full-frame coverage, excellent sharpness and an adjustable aperture in a tiny, travel-friendly tube.
This review gives you an honest look at what makes the SQA55 special – and who the extra cost is worth it for compared with classics like the RedCat 51 or the EvoStar 80ED.
Askar SQA55: the key specs
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Design | Quintuplet Petzval apo (5 elements, SD+ED glass) |
| Aperture / focal length | 55 mm / 264 mm (f/4.8) |
| Image circle | 44 mm (full-frame) |
| Aperture | adjustable f/4.8–f/22 |
| Close focus | from approx. 5 m (also for nature photography) |
| Price (Astroshop) | $795.00€ 999 |
Who is the SQA55 worth it for?
The SQA55 is a wide-field astrograph for ambitious beginners and advanced users who want full-frame quality from the start. Its large, flat image field is its key selling point.
It’s also suitable for nature photography: the close focus from 5 m and the adjustable aperture turn it into a long telephoto lens – a dual purpose that pure astrographs don’t offer.
It’s not ideal for anyone looking for maximum aperture for the money: 55 mm is meant for wide-field work, not for small, faint galaxies.
Askar SQA55 vs. RedCat 51 vs. EvoStar 80ED
| Criterion | Askar SQA55Askar SQA55 | RedCat 51RedCat 51 | Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 80 APO Doublet TelescopeEvoStar 80ED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elements | 5 (quintuplet) | 4 (Petzval) | 2 (doublet) |
| Flat field | ✅ built in | ✅ built in | ⚠️ flattener needed |
| Adjustable aperture | ✅ f/4.8–22 | no | no |
| Aperture | 55 mm | 51 mm | 80 mm |
| Price | $795.00€ 999 | $878.00€ 1,190 | $750.00€ 795 |
| Where to buy | Askar SQA55Askar SQA55 | RedCat 51RedCat 51 | Sky-Watcher Evostar EDX 80 APO Doublet TelescopeEvoStar 80ED |
Premium quintuplet for full-frame: Askar SQA55 Quintuplet Astrograph
Quintuplet Petzval astrograph 55/264 with full-frame image circle and adjustable aperture.
Price: € 999
Frequently asked questions about the Askar SQA55
Does the Askar SQA55 need a flattener?
No. As a quintuplet Petzval, it comes with a flat image field built in – the stars stay round all the way to the edge of the full-frame image circle.
What is the adjustable aperture good for?
It lets you stop the optics down slightly (for example to f/6.3) to squeeze out the last few percent of edge sharpness on very demanding sensors – and it makes the telescope more versatile as a telephoto lens.
Is the SQA55 suitable for full-frame too?
Yes, that’s its key selling point. The 44 mm image circle fully illuminates full-frame sensors.
SQA55 or RedCat 51?
Optically there’s little between them. The SQA55 scores with its adjustable aperture and slightly more aperture, the RedCat 51 with its WIFD focuser. Both are excellent wide-field astrographs.
Can you observe visually with the SQA55?
To a limited extent, yes – unlike pure astrographs, the close focus and aperture allow for a certain dual use, but the focus is clearly on photography.