I'm sure there are many people who take a walk around the nearby park to change their mood. When I bring binoculars with me for a walk in this park, I am amazed at how diverse there are animals. I took the VC Smart 15x vibration-proof binoculars with image stabilization for walking around the park with the VC Smart 15x Cellarto WP.
table of contents
- What is "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP"
- Cellarto series that automatically supports two shaking
- What was the most interesting effect of the 15x telephoto magnification?
- What I felt when I actually carried it around the park
- Summary: I can't control my desire to observe clearly with a larger telephoto
- Details and purchase of Kenko's "VC Smart 15×42 Cellarto WP"
What is "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP"
Among the latest trending vibration-proof binoculars, the latest model with high magnification
Among the latest trending vibration-proof binoculars, the latest model with high magnification
If you hear the word "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP," and say "Ah, that's it!", then you're probably quite a fan of binoculars. The VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP is the latest model of vibration-proof binoculars handled by Kenko Tokiner, and is a fairly high-performance binocular with a telephoto magnification of 15 times and an effective objective lens diameter of 42mm, with WP (waterproof and waterproof).
Vibration-proof binoculars were a huge topic last year, but they are equipped with a binocular equipped with an image stabilization mechanism that allows humans to hold the binoculars and prevent the vibrations that occur when peering. Many people may think that if you hold it in place, it's fine, but binoculars that do not have an image stabilization mechanism actually cause a considerable amount of blur.
For this reason, many people found binoculars surprisingly difficult to see, and binocular-proof binoculars with image stabilization mechanisms are now considered essential items for live performances and concerts, and were a huge hit last year and the year before last. Naturally, binoculars are becoming more and more stabilizing in the outdoor world.
I also love the same series of "VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP" when filming wildlife or walking around the park, but I was blessed with the opportunity to try out the latest model with a high telephoto magnification, the "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP," so I always went for a walk around the park with the "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP."
Recommended points
- Telephoto magnification is 15 times larger, and things far away look bigger
- Image stabilization makes it extremely easy to see
- Cellarto series that automatically supports two shaking
- It's easier to hold than you think
- Completely waterproof for safe outdoor use
Points that interest me
- Prices exceeding 100,000 yen
- Weight exceeding 600g
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Kenko VC Smart 15×42 Cellarto WP |
|---|---|
| magnification | 15 times |
| Effective diameter of objective lens | 42mm |
| coating | Full multi-coat, phase coat, high reflective coat |
| Real view | 3.8° |
| Apparent vision | 52.9° |
| View 1000m away | 66.3m |
| Hippo diameter | 2.8mm |
| Brightness | 7.8 |
| Eye relief | 14.0mm |
| Eye width | 54-74mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 4m |
| Size (when eye width is maximum) | 180 x 70 x 118mm |
| mass | 610g |
| Vibration-proof angle | ±2° |
| waterproof | ○ |
| Material | Body body: Polycarbonate resin / Body cover: ABS resin / Rubber for your own use: NBR / Roller rubber: ABS resin |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| design | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of viewing | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of holding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Portability | ★★★★☆ |
| Cost Performance | ★★★☆☆ |
Cellarto series that automatically supports two shaking
The powerful image stabilization mechanism is powerfully effective even at 15x telephoto magnification.
Image stabilization = vibration-proofing is very easy to understand and easy to turn on and off with a slide switch. A major feature is that there is no need to switch modes.
Kenko's latest vibration-proof binocular series, including the "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP," is the Cellarto series. The biggest feature is that it automatically responds to the two types of shaking that occur with binoculars.
In the case of binoculars, there are "large shaking" that occurs when chasing an object and pans widely, or when shaking on a ship, and "fine shaking" that occurs when looking at a stopped object.It is said that each of these has a vibration-proof mode that suits it.
However, with conventional vibration-proof binoculars, images that have been installed with one vibration-proof mode can become unnatural, and even though the vibration-proof mode can be switched, the user must make the switch manually by making the decision.
Equipped with a pilot light that lets you check image stabilization at a glance. Another feature is that it is equipped with a light-blocking slide shutter to prevent mistakenly filming videos.
With the Cellarto series, the binoculars detect shaking and automatically perform this switching quickly. I currently love the VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP, but before that I used vibration-proof binoculars that were not compatible with these two shaking.
When I changed my main binoculars to the VC Smart 10 x 30 Cellarto WP, which automatically supports two shaking, I was surprised at how effective the image stabilization was, but the current VC Smart 15 x 42 Cellarto WP has a higher telephoto magnification, so I felt the difference in the effect.
For example, when you observe the ezo squirrel eating something in the VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP, you can closely observe not only the type of food they are eating, but also the expression of the ezo squirrel, the movement of their beard, and the condition of what they are eating. This clear field of vision is the greatest advantage of vibration-proof binoculars.
What was the most interesting effect of the 15x telephoto magnification?
The magnification is high at 15x, but the effective diameter of the objective lens is 42mm, so the brightness is 7.8. Even in the slightly dark forest, I didn't worry about the brightness.
I feel that it has a close field of vision equivalent to 800mm.
The reason why I, who already adore the VC Smart 10 x 30 Cellarto WP, a completely waterproof, vibration-resistant binoculars that automatically respond to two types of vibrations, made me want to try out the VC Smart 15 x 42 Cellarto WP, is that it has a 15x telephoto magnification.
The VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP, which I use on a regular basis, has a 10x magnification. Although it is not strict, for people who are used to shooting with a regular camera, it is said that if you consider the 50mm 35mm size as 1x, 10x is easy to understand if you consider the 50mm super telephoto lens of 500mm, and I feel that when you actually compare it with a telephoto lens, it is generally incompatible with the physical sensation.
This means that the 15x VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP will be super telephoto, equivalent to 750mm. In fact, camera telephoto lenses have been increasing recently, and in the past, the 500mm and 600mm were extremely telephoto, but these days it's not uncommon to have 800mm or 900mm equivalent, and I often take pictures with lenses over 1,000mm equivalent.
Photo taken with the "OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II" which allows you to shoot at 800mm equivalent. This is what the 800mm class super telephoto looks like.
Therefore, I thought that when shooting with an ultra-telligent telephoto lens, the VC Smart 15×42 Cellarto WP would be better than the 500mm equivalent VC Smart 10×30 Cellarto WP. Then I took him on a walk in the park with the latest 800mm lens, the OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II, which was just released in March 2025.
Although the results are as expected in a way, we achieved a strong telephoto effect that is almost the same as the "OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II", and a high telephoto effect that is clearly different from the 500mm equivalent "VC Smart 10×30 Cellarto WP".
I walked along my favorite walking route with the VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP.
The high telephoto effect, which is equivalent to 750mm, is supported by a powerful image stabilization mechanism, allowing you to observe small birds and animals in more detail. Very good. However, as with camera lenses, when it comes to telephoto at this level, I felt it would be quite difficult to handle it handheld without image stabilization.
Also, when considering it as a companion for shooting, I felt that there was a big preference for whether to use the VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP, which allows you to observe at almost the same telephoto magnification as a shooting lens, or the VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP, which has a lower telephoto magnification than a shooting lens, then cut out small details. I prefer to use different things depending on the situation.
Furthermore, this is the same as a super telephoto lens, but the higher the telephoto performance, the more difficult it becomes to put an object into your field of vision, so this requires getting used to it.
What I felt when I actually carried it around the park
The "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP" (photo: left) and the "VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP" (photo: right) are lined up. The length is the biggest difference.
There's no inconvenience to carry around with you as much as I thought
When I first tried out the specs of the VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP, I was worried about the size of about 180x70x118mm and the weight of about 610g. Even though they are vibration-proof binoculars with image stabilization mechanism, they are probably a little big and too heavy. That's what I felt.
Considering that the VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP I use regularly is about 147x51x124mm and weighs about 533g, I still feel it is a little big and heavy. However, based on the results of several actual park walks over an hour, these were unfounded concerns.
As for the weight, in my case, the camera I carry around with me is much heavier, and I don't notice any difference in weight of about 80g. Also, the larger part is that the length is about 3cm different, and if you hang it around your neck, you won't notice a big difference.
The author sets up the "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP" in the forest of the park. The film was shot by the AI drone "HOVERAir X1 Smart."
As an adult man, I don't have very large hands, so I think it's difficult to hold the binoculars when my binoculars get bigger. I was worried about this, but since it was mainly only longer, I didn't notice any significant difference in ease of stance.
The VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP has a 14mm eye relief, so 15mm is not the standard high eye point, but I would like to tell you that even I, who wear glasses, was quite easy to see.
Furthermore, while I was on a walk, I sometimes saw quite a lot of water falling, but even in times like these, being completely waterproof gives me a great sense of security. Outdoor activities can be said to be an essential feature.
Summary: I can't control my desire to observe clearly with a larger telephoto
It's also great that it can run for 28 hours with just one AA alkaline battery
It's very convenient and secure to use the highly versatile AA alkaline batteries to drive image stabilization.
Although it is not strict, the VC Smart 10 x 30 Cellarto WP, which is the 500mm class super telephoto lens, has a telephoto magnification that can be said to be a 750mm class super telephoto lens.
Although it is difficult to say which is generally better, the truth is that it cannot contain the fundamental desire to observe farther, clearer, and greater. Even if you have a 500mm super telephoto lens with a camera lens, it's the same as no one can stop wanting an 800mm super telephoto lens.
Once you have obtained it, you can't go back to binoculars with image stabilization mechanisms. Without image stabilization, the clear field of vision is clearly different, and if you have used binoculars without image stabilization up until then, you will be amazed at how shaking the field of vision you had been observing up until then when you use anti-vibration binoculars with image stabilization, you will be amazed at how shaking the field of vision you had been observing up until now.
Therefore, once you start using vibration-proof binoculars with image stabilization, it is of course impossible to turn off image stabilization. It's common for the VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP to operate image stabilization for approximately 28 hours with just one AA alkaline battery, which is easily available at convenience stores, can be used to compensate for image stabilization for approximately 28 hours.
"WP" also includes the product name for "VC Smart 15 x 42 Cellarto WP" represents waterproofness. It's a great advantage outdoors.
It runs continuously for about 28 hours with just one AA alkaline battery, so I always turn on image stabilization to enjoy a clear view to my heart's content. The "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP" is said to have been deliberately abolished the auto power-off function that reduces battery consumption because it runs a long time with just one dry battery. It feels more convenient than turning it off without permission. However, in order to deal with unexpected battery runs out, I have hidden a spare AA alkaline dry battery inside the binocular case.
The Cellarto series automatically detects and corrects two types of shaking when using binoculars, ensuring a clearer and easier-to-see vision than ever before. This has been added to the 10x waterproof "VC Smart 10x30 Cellarto WP", as well as the 15x waterproof "VC Smart 15x42 Cellarto WP", which is 15x waterproof, making it even more of your choice.
It's very difficult to ask which one you prefer, but if your budget allows, the truth is that you want both. We recommend that you choose carefully according to your purpose of use. Still, I'm sure I'd want both...
Details and purchase of Kenko's "VC Smart 15×42 Cellarto WP"
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