Shaky image at high magnification, poor sharpness at dusk? Kenko solves this – with image stabilisation, ED glass and five binocular series for every purpose
Japanese Optical Tradition
Binoculars with Image Stabilisation
Mirage · Artos · Ultraview EX · Avantar · VC Smart
Nitrogen-filled & fog-proof
Kenko stands for Japanese binocular expertise since 1957. The company ranks among the world’s largest OEM binocular producers and unites over 65 years of optical manufacturing experience under the Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. umbrella – from glass melting and coating to final assembly. At Swiss-Sale.ch you will find five Kenko binocular series for nature observation, birdwatching, hunting and outdoor activities: Mirage, Artos, Ultraview EX, Avantar and VC Smart.
Kenko covers the full spectrum with five binocular series. The Mirage series offers classic porro-prism binoculars for those starting out in nature observation – with large 50 mm objectives and high light-gathering power. The Artos line features rugged porro prisms in a weatherproof aluminium housing with rubber armouring, ideal for outdoor use and twilight observation. The Ultraview EX series uses roof prisms with phase coating and dielectric coating for maximum light yield in a compact form. The Avantar series with ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion) delivers particularly colour-pure, high-contrast images free of chromatic aberration. And the VC Smart binoculars offer integrated image stabilisation – for steady observation even at high magnifications and without a tripod.
The VC Smart series is the centrepiece of the Kenko binocular line. A 2-axis gimbal mechanism driven by a voice coil motor compensates for hand tremor by up to ±3°, optically stabilising the prism system. The result: a steady, sharp image even at 14x or 15x magnification – without a tripod. The Cellarto models additionally offer automatic stabilisation mode detection and up to 28 hours of runtime on a single AA battery. This makes Kenko one of the few manufacturers worldwide to offer compact binoculars with integrated image stabilisation.
The Avantar series with ED glass reduces chromatic aberration to a minimum and delivers colour-accurate, high-contrast images with over 94 % light transmission. All lenses and prisms are fully multi-coated, while the roof prisms feature additional dielectric and phase coatings. The aluminium die-cast housing is IPX7 waterproof. The Ultraview EX series employs the Petzval optical design for stable resolution across the entire field of view. With BAK4 prisms, full multi-coating and an apparent field of view exceeding 60°, Ultraview EX models deliver a bright, sharp image in a lightweight, ergonomic body – available as Pocket, Compact and OP DH III variants.
The Artos series offers classic porro-prism binoculars with multi-coated BAK4 prisms in a rugged aluminium housing with rubber armouring. Available in configurations from 7x50 to 12x50, the Artos models are equally suited to daytime nature watching, sporting events and twilight use. The click-type dioptre adjustment keeps every setting secure, while twist-up eyecups adapt to spectacle wearers. The Mirage series is the ideal entry point into the world of nature observation: with large 50 mm objectives, Mirage binoculars offer excellent light-gathering performance – recommended also for stargazing and use in challenging light conditions.
Kenko Tokina controls the entire production chain – from glass melting through lens grinding and in-house coating facilities to final assembly and quality control. This vertical integration is rare in the binocular market and enables Kenko to ensure optical quality at every production step. The coating technology – from multi-layer coatings and water/oil-repellent surfaces to high-performance dielectric coatings – ranks among the most advanced in the industry and feeds directly into binocular production.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kenko (Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.) |
| Origin | Japan (Tokyo – founded 1957) |
| Speciality | Binoculars with image stabilisation, ED glass and porro/roof prism optics |
| Binocular series | Mirage · Artos · Ultraview EX · Avantar · VC Smart |
| Prism technology | BAK4 prisms, phase coating, dielectric coating, full multi-coating |
| Unique feature | VC Smart: image stabilisation with 2-axis gimbal (±3° compensation) |
| Range at Swiss-Sale.ch | Binoculars from the Mirage, Ultraview EX, Avantar, Artos and VC Smart series |
Five series of Japanese optical precision – shipped directly from Switzerland
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