Apexel 20-60X

Long-range zoom has traditionally meant bulky DSLR glass or specialist equipment. Apexel's 20-60X aims to put that reach in front of a phone camera instead. The maker says the lens attaches to a smartphone and delivers 20x to 60x optical zoom, pitched at subjects such as lunar craters, wildlife and concert stages. According to the Japanese source, the Kickstarter project reached 1,363% of its goal in January 2025, raising a total of $318,304.

Optics and build

Apexel says it focused on balancing optical performance with portability. The body is aluminum alloy with an anti-oxidation coating, and the optical path uses six pieces of 4K optical glass with multi-layer coatings intended to reduce reflections and distortion. The maker quotes a focusing range of 5 meters to infinity and a 50mm aperture, and claims clean, low-noise results in dim settings such as concert lighting or dusk.

• Magnification: 20x to 60x, adjusted via a magnifying ring
• Optics: six pieces of 4K optical glass, multi-layer coated
• Aperture: 50mm
• Focus range: 5 meters to infinity
• Weight: approximately 741 grams (26.1 ounces)
• Tripod collar switchable between portrait and landscape
• 1-1/4″-20 tripod mounting hole
• 58mm filter interface for CPL and ND filters

More than a phone lens

The 20-60X is also designed to work on its own as a monocular, for scanning scenery while traveling or watching a stage at an outdoor event. The rotating tripod collar is meant for steadier video and extended observation, while the 58mm filter thread opens the door to polarizers for backlit scenes and ND filters for long exposures.

The campaign also frames the product around community-driven development, with backer feedback fed into the production process and an emphasis on transparency. The source suggests potential uses in wildlife conservation, education and content creation, such as documenting animals without risky close approaches.