Abstract: A compact viewing device (M) has a receiving sensor assembly (10) with a display (12) that generates a visible output image (14) and an output sensor assembly (16) that receives and processes the visible output image (14) from the receiving sensor assembly (10) into an electronic image format. A wide field of view (WFOV) lens assembly (18) conveys the visible output image (14) from the receiving sensor assembly (10) to the output sensor assembly (16). The WFOV lens assembly (18) is positioned between the receiving sensor assembly (10) and the output sensor assembly (16), and has a central longitudinal axis (20) through the WFOV lens assembly (18) that is co-linear with both a central optical axis (22) of the receiving sensor assembly (10) and having an centered input sensor (42) which is co-linear with the central longitudinal axis (20).