Kenko's Field Catch camera zooms in on your favorite bird

Fancy yourself a bird watcher do you? Good -- be they the hollow-boned or British-beach going variety, this is the cam to catch 'em. The Kenko Field Catch image spotting digital camera features a 14x, 70-mm optical zoom lens, 3.1 megapixel CMOS, SD slot, and optional power from a pair of AAs. In addition to a viewfinder, a high / low throw-switch on top allows for a quick 24x or 7x zoom on the 2.0-inch LCD. Thing is, this is the same VistaPix IS70 announced for star gazing back in January by Celestron -- a company which recently disappeared from the interwebs. It's expected to fetch ¥64,800 (about $589) and possible hefty fine depending upon use when launched mid December in Japan.

Update: Celestron seemed to be having a case of server blues this morning -- they're back.

[Via Impress]

[Technex @ Nov 30th 2007 7:24AM]

Looks like a good idea! Might be picking one of these up ;).

[coolbee8 @ Nov 30th 2007 8:02AM]

I'd rather get one of those 8+ mp 18x megazoom camera for less than this, then again, I don't have the time to watch brids.

[lettcco @ Nov 30th 2007 8:40AM]

who says you HAVE to watch birds with this thing? ;)

[jpmarth @ Dec 3rd 2007 9:37AM]

I'm with you. A high zoom point and shoot is a far better value since it offers for more than this could and would be much smaller. 3.1MP??? What a joke.

[Matt @ Nov 30th 2007 8:09AM]

3.1 Mpix isn't a bit outdated nowaday? It's the kind of specs you expect on a high end webcam or a mobile phone, but it's a bit disapointing on a new digital camera...

[Mike @ Nov 30th 2007 8:26AM]

1 oz bird could not carry a 1 pound coconut!

[fistpittingnork @ Nov 30th 2007 9:04AM]

It doesn't matter, will you go tell your master that Arthur from the Court of Camelot is here?

[thethirdmoose @ Nov 30th 2007 9:48AM]

Dude... if someone makes a quote, then you don't have to kill it by saying the next line in the movie. You aren't funny

[fistpittingnork @ Nov 30th 2007 10:41AM]

Your panties a little bunched up there, Moose? Do you really think I was aiming to kill this crowd with laughter? It was all in good fun. Take a deep breath or two and unwad your bloomers. This is casual Friday, you shouldn't have worn your starched shirt today.

[TK101 @ Nov 30th 2007 8:49AM]

Celestron is very much alive and well - what are you referring to?

TK

[Michael Kaye @ Nov 30th 2007 9:27AM]

where is there website then? Can't seem to find it anymore....

[TK101 @ Nov 30th 2007 9:36AM]

The server may be down, but I was just browsing their telescope selection 2 days ago (www.celestron.com). They are still a major player in the mid-to-high-level telescope market, along with Meade.

TK

[Kizorblade @ Nov 30th 2007 9:39AM]

Watching beautiful birds? I'd love to make that my job

[rench123 @ Nov 30th 2007 11:05AM]

The 12X and 18X megazoom cameras would be a better deal. The website says the long end is a 4 degree view angle, and that's equiavalent to a 500mm lens mounted on a 35mm camera.

[christopher Grant-Saunders @ Nov 30th 2007 5:57PM]

good, cause 70mm had me wondering who they'd hoodwinked

[Wwhat @ Dec 1st 2007 9:45AM]

Depends on the sensitivity and lensquality if a megazoom camera is an alternative.
70MM is a large opening which should allow in a lot of light.