Magpix SX3 Review

The SX3 is simply a pair of 10X binoculars wedded with a 3-megapixel digital camera with some light correction and the ability to shoot 320 x 240-pixel AVI videos. The lenses are ruby coated for glare reduction, and there are three focus settings for the camera and a finer setting wheel for the binoculars. (Continued below...)

The binocular's body has rubber pads to ensure a firm grip, but the case isn't waterproof, so don't bother taking it on your white-water rafting trip. There is a small black-and-white LCD on the back which displays the number of pictures remaining, resolution, and image delete functions. What you won't find is a color LCD, so you'll have to wait until you transfer your images to a PC using the USB connection before you can review your shots properly.

The SX3 is designed specifically for outdoor use, which means capturing your favorite basketball player mid-dunk or concert performer mid-encore is out of the question. Still, it is excellent for those who want to take stadium action shots or snaps of the Cape May warbler in her natural habitat. The rest of us are better off with a digital camera with a color LCD screen and maybe a pair of opera glasses.

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