Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars review

Today's world is filled with "smart" devices and binoculars are no exception. The Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars stand out for their onboard vibration correction (image stabilization) — a function conveniently powered by a single AA battery. This inevitably pushes up the price but, thankfully, doesn't add too much weight or bulk. The "WP" in the name further indicates that these binoculars are waterproof, making them even better suited to outdoor use and clear, cold nights for stargazing.

Those are the claims but how do these binoculars pan out in practice, and how useful are the smart features for skywatching and wildlife spotting? Will they make it into our best binoculars guide? We put them to the test to find out.

Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars review

Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP: Design

★★★★

• Ridged focus ring that's ergonomically placed between lenses
• Manually adjustable interpupillary distance
• Included protective rubber caps (for the eyepieces only)

With an attractively futuristic look, the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars are commendably compact for a device that features built-in vibration correction. That mechanism typically makes binoculars noticeably bulkier and heavier than a standard pair. However, that's not the case for the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars, which are made of polycarbonate resin, a type of plastic known for its strength and impact resistance.

As a further aid to visibility, the lenses are multicoated to maximize light transmission and contrast while reducing flare. Another plus is that the interpupillary distance between the eyepieces can be manually adjusted to comfortably match the user's eyes.

The binoculars come with a pouch and a strap, but I could squeeze them into a winter jacket pocket. Predictably, the quality of these extras doesn't match that of the binoculars themselves, but they are useful nonetheless. Protective rubber cups are provided for the eyepieces, but you don't get any caps to cover the lens glass on the front.

Overall, the design and construction are of a high standard, typical of Japanese manufacturing. The materials, the positioning of the controls and their ergonomic implementation are top-notch. The centrally located and ridged focus wheel had just the right amount of give to enable me to make precise adjustments without needing to take my eyes away from the subject. A top-mounted lever allows the vibration correction to be powered up or down with the flick of a thumb. Again, this switch is large and obvious enough that I could feel for it without needing to remove my eyes from the eyepieces.

What you don't get is a screw thread for the binoculars to be tripod-mounted for extended periods of observation. Because the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars are all about onboard image stabilization to enable rock-steady use, it's understandable that the manufacturer would omit that feature.

Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP: Performance

★★★★★

• Sharp and bright views
• 10x magnification
• Onboard vibration correction

The built-in vibration correction on the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars has a couple of operational modes, although the feature is fully automated. It detects and corrects "fine vibrations," such as minor hand tremble, as well as compensates for more pronounced movements, or "large vibrations," such as quick panning, switching modes as appropriate. When I used the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars to view the moon at the maximum 10x magnification, I could clearly identify large craters, such as Copernicus and Tycho, and radiating surface scars.

However, these binoculars' image stabilization was particularly useful for stargazing. When I used them handheld, without the vibration correction activated, at night, I initially got streaky light trails, and the stars appeared to dance. This effect was amplified by any slight movement of my hands.

However, with a flick of the image stabilization switch, the shaky trails of light suddenly snapped back into pinpoint focus, and readily identifiable asterisms, such as the Big Dipper, became clear.

As noted earlier, the inclusion of image stabilization allowed Kenko to omit a screw thread for tripod mounting — a feature that tends to be found on most premium binoculars. Therefore, I'm very pleased that the vibration correction works so smoothly.

Another plus is that a single AA battery, inserted into a screw-top compartment alongside the lens, can deliver up to 28 hours of continuous use. For comparison, anti-shake-equipped alternatives, such as the Canon 12x36 IS III and the Nikon 10x25 and Nikon 12x25 stabilized binoculars, typically manage eight to 12 hours at best.

There's no automatic power-off feature, which enables uninterrupted use of the vibration correction for stargazing, tracking wildlife and watching sports, concerts and other events.

The Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars excel at providing sharp and clear views free of typical artifacts, such as chromatic aberration between areas of high contrast, in both daytime and nighttime use. In fact, the crisply defined, high-contrast images have an almost three-dimensional quality. Yes, you'll pay more for these binoculars than for a standard 10x30 pair, but I think the clear views are worth it, particularly for skywatching enthusiasts.

Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP: Functionality

★★★★

• Multicoated optics that boost contrast and light transmission
• Two-tier vibration correction
• Minimal chromatic aberration

The Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars also benefit from an anti-fog feature, which helps maintain image clarity on cold, damp nights. Plus, the binoculars are waterproof for use in inclement weather, which provides peace of mind when you're making such a large investment.

The light-shielding slide shutter is another handy, practical feature for using the binoculars at night with the vibration correction activated. It can be slid across to obscure the tiny pilot lamp that otherwise glows green when the power is on and the image stabilization is active, thereby eliminating what would have been a distracting light in the dark.

The combination of a standard 10x magnification with a 30mm objective lens is a decent specification, with a lens of that size allowing for continued observation even in low light. However, I would have liked to see a slightly higher magnification to really zero in on detail for lunar observation. The counterargument is that this would have added to the overall weight and bulk.

As always, there are trade-offs to be made to balance portability, performance and price. But the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars function well and are some of the most intuitive stabilized binoculars I've handled.

How we tested the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP

I tested the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars during the day, in both bright sunlight and low light, and at night with a full moon and a cloudless view of the sky, and they proved to be a versatile viewing companion.

I tried observing skittish wildlife during the day and the stars and moon at night, with the vibration correction on and off to view the difference it made and thus determine whether it's worth paying a premium for this feature. In my opinion, it did make a clear difference and is indeed worth the investment.

User reviews of the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars

Users say the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars are perfect for outdoor use and for hobbies such as bird-watching or skywatching. Users agree that the quality is amazing and the image quality is exceedingly sharp, even without the image stabilization switched on.

Should you buy the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP?

The Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP offered me sharp views whether that was of the moon and stars or wildlife. The built-in vibration correction performed outstandingly, helping to create a great stargazing experience. Although the image stabilization boosts the price of these binoculars, I think it's worth it, especially for viewing the night sky and avoiding streaky star trails. Even though there's no tripod mount, this isn't something you'll miss on these binoculars due to the high-performing image stabilization. Although there was no off button for the image stabilization, with 28 hours of battery life, I don't think this is an issue, unlike on other pairs of image stabilized binoculars where the battery life is much shorter. While I enjoyed using the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP, the 10x magnification doesn't allow for extreme close-ups which might disappoint some users.

If the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars aren't for you

If the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars aren't for you, be aware that over the past 10 to 15 years, Canon has faced little competition for image-stabilized binoculars, allowing the company to charge a premium for its products. However, that is changing. Although the recent Canon 12x36 IS III is worth considering, Canon now has competition from rivals such as Fujifilm's waterproofed Techno-Stabi binoculars (I recommend the TS 16x28 WP option) and Nikon's 10x25 and 12x25 Stabilized duo. That could result in more competitive pricing in this market segment.

However, the Kenko VC Smart Cellarto 10x30 WP binoculars sit in the middle of the current options and accrue plenty of praise for their competitive price and impressively sharp image quality. They're a solid choice if 10x magnification is sufficient for your skywatching needs.