Celestron IS 70 VistaPix 3.1MP Imaging Spotting Scope

by Celestron

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 10 inches ; 10 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000J4UYGC
• Item model number: 52212
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,056 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Introducing the VistaPix Imaging Spotter (IS70) from Celestron. Capture the action closer than ever before with this 3MP digital camera spotting scope. Unique product, advanced features, unbeatable price.

The VistaPix IS70 features a 70mm spotting scope with 14x magnification. The 3-megapixel camera features a 2-inch LCD screen for a sharp, clear imaging preview; 6x digital zoom; a digital focus meter for quick, sharp focus; dual power for high magnification or wide field of view; and continuous video capability. And with its great close focus, the IS70 can capture amazing detail -- perfect for getting up close with a variety of nature's treasures both great and small.

Other IS70 features include a rotatable tripod adapter that fits standard photo tripods or Celestron computerized mounts and the ability to view images on your TV screen with the included video cable. The IS70 also includes a protective carrying case for travel and storage. All VistaPix IS70 models feature Celestron’s 2-year warranty.

What's in the Box

Video cable, shutter cable, instruction booklet, 3 lens caps, protective aluminum carrying case

Product Description

The VistaPix IS70 Imaging Spotter from Celestron(r) allows you to capture the action closer than ever before with a 3.1 megapixel digital camera and spotting scope. The 70-mm spotting scope will get you 14x closer to the action. A 2-in color LCD screen provides a sharp, clear imaging preview.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Review of Celestron IS 70 Vista Pix Imaging Spotting Scope, February 20, 2009

By 

Pathfinder "John" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron IS 70 VistaPix 3.1MP Imaging Spotting Scope (Electronics)

I like the VistaPix imaging spotting scope, but my short experience with it does suggest some improvements are needed: (1) As with many imaging systems, the digital camera is attached to the side and does not take advantage of the large direct-view lens itself. Also, (2) the lens is a fixed focus, not a variable telescopic lens. (3) When one has to focus the VistaPix, you focus looking at the digital display and a vertical bar on that display, trying to get a number and heighth of the vertical bar as large as possible. The numbering scheme on the vertical bar doesn't seem to make sense: sometimes the number is in the low 100s and sometimes it is in the high hundreds even when the vertical bar is tall. After you have gotten the highest number possible, the camera is supposed to be in focus. (4) Then you have to adjust the eyepiece to focus the direct-view optical lens. A little cumbersome. (5) After I took pictures I found that they were not in sharp focus when downloaded to the PC...close, but not sharp. And you only find out when you download them to your computer! Very frustrating. (6) The VistaPix also eats up batteries very quickly. The manual says that you can use an AC adapter and gives specifications in terms of voltage and amperage, (7) but do not specify a specific Celestron power supply nor does the VistaPix come with one. Frustrating. I have several power supplies from a wide variety of electronic gadgets, but none met the VistaPix power supply specifications. It does come in a metal carrying case (nice) and also with a remote shutter release (for steady shooting--nice). Comes with an SD memory card slot (buy a card, otherwise the internal memory only allows a few pics to be stored...and SD memory cards are cheap). I'm using the VistaPix for birdwatching. Overall, a little disappointed, primarily because of the difficulty in obtaining a sharp focus. Will keep playing with it, but I might recommend looking around before I buy a VistPix.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suprising for the price, July 16, 2007

By 

James B. Schilling "Brad" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celestron IS 70 VistaPix 3.1MP Imaging Spotting Scope (Electronics)

Upon receiving this hybrid camera and using it for a while I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the images shot. I have taken pictures in all different lighting conditions and it performs well even at dusk. However, if the light is very bright, White colored subjects will exhibit Purple Fringing. Avoid them at high noon. Color saturation is reasonable but my camera is a little heavy to magenta.

The IS70 is rather difficult to focus due to the low visibilty of the LCD in bright sunlight. You are stuck with this method of focusing on the low powered lens but if you sync the high power lens to the focus meter by adjusting the eyepiece lens so the optics match what the focus meter sees, you can get excellent results. The optics on the spotting scope are clear and Bright. The camera's optics are mediocre.

The controls are well laid out and the menus are logical. Manual functions are limited to an EV exposure setting and the F stop is adjusted by a twin objective lens cover. Sort of a low - high setting if you will. It is simple but it is effective. The shutter speed is always automatic and is reasonably accurate. The setting buttons are a little hard to press and sometime knock the camera out of alignment on the Tripod. This is a problem when changing modes during shooting (like to video from photo).

Note: You will not be able to shoot anything with out a good tripod using this camera so if you don't have a really sturdy one, get one.

Overall impression from an amateur is "it's alot of bang for the $479.00"

You can very good quality shots without spending $1000's of dollars.

If you want to see some sample shots email me at [e-mail]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, February 19, 2009

By 

F. E. Belluso - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celestron IS 70 VistaPix 3.1MP Imaging Spotting Scope (Electronics)

very disappointed in the high magnification pictures taken with this unit.

it is a hit and miss on the focus... mostly out of focus.... rarely get a

good in focus pic with high mag'tion. i always us a solid tripod when taking high mag pictures........ on the other side of the coin it takes

good in focus pictures on the low magnification lens........but of course i purchased the celestron for the high magnification lens.....

i would not recommend this unit to anyone.......