Celestron VistaPix 8x30SD Digital Camera Binoculars with Memory Capability
by Celestron

List Price: $149.99
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• See upclose with 8x binocular
• Click and save with built-in digital camera
• Connect to your PC with supplied USB cable
• View on your TV with supplied video cable (model 72202 only) or download images on your PC
• Digitally enlarge images up to 72x with supplied software

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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron VistaPix 8x30SD Digital Camera Binoculars with Memory Capability

Customer Review: **NOT** a birding binocular or a birding camera
Summary: 1 Stars

First, the eyecups are not sufficiently deep so that I cannot rest the binoculars against my eyes to resolve the two circles of light into a single view; it is already difficult enough to hold them steady without having the benefit of steadying them against myself. Second, the focus wheel is unnecessarily small and the wheel does not rotate evenly, so that the binoculars jerk side to side while focusing. Third, the strap is nothing more than a cheap string reminiscent of a camera strap on a free give-a-way camera. Moreover, the strap is clumsily attached near the center-top of the binoculars which gets in the way of focusing the binoculars and navigating the camera controls. The strap length and placement also cause the binoculars to hang awkwardly, protruding forward and bouncing with every stride - it should have been apparent to the designers that the strap should be attached to the binocular's outer edges (as it is in ALL binoculars). To add insult to injury, the strap is permanently attached so that you cannot replace it with a quality neckstrap. The bottom line is that, in light of Celestron's better quality line of binoculars, Celestron clearly can do better.

Most limiting on the camera side for birding purposes, the VistaPix has a fixed focus so that only objects farther than 50 feet will be in focus. This minimum focus, at 8x, is practically useless for photographing birds other than pterodactyls (or ostriches, rheas, emus, cranes, storks, albatrosses, etc). Photographing sparrows or warblers yielded photos of unidentifiable blips. Also limiting is the fixed shutter speed with resulting blurry images when trying to photograph birds (which are typically moving). Given that even some disposable cameras have an optional setting to capture fast action, the VistaPix should give the photographer some flexibility. In addition, it is difficult to hold the camera steady enough to obtain sharp images - I cannot imagine how the 10x version can ever be hand-held for photography. The technological solution is probably image stabilization - even a rudimentary form of image stabilization would be immensely helpful. With image stabilization, 10x magnification would be preferable especially if the minimum focus remains no better than 50 feet.

Last, but not least, is there any excuse for a digital image of less than 3 megapixels in this day and age? In sum, I would prefer a product that is twice or thrice the price, and is commensurate in quality so that the end-result is truly useful for birding and photographing birds.

Description of Celestron VistaPix 8x30SD Digital Camera Binoculars with Memory Capability

Binoculars

• Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Binoculars