This is the determined area covered by our vision, being the width of the visible area per 1000m, the larger the field of view the easier it will be to locate objects and the more useful it will be to focus on moving objects, it is also related to the level of magnification. Image Quality This is about lens coatings and premium anti-reflective coatings can have different treatments: partial coating with low quality, full coating with 80% light transmission, several layers of coatings with acceptable results and multi-layer coating with 90-95% light transmission. Field of View In fact, the field of view is so wide – on the 10×42 it’s 7.6-degrees and the same as older EL 8.5×42 – that you can step up in magnification without the usual pitfalls of doing so. We generally prefer 8x binoculars over 10x or 12x binoculars because, normally, they strike a better balance between magnification and field of view. These binoculars, however, give you the best of both worlds. The 8x NL Pure have an even wider field of view at a frankly unbelievable 9.1-degrees.

Another option, although much more pricy, would be the Zeiss Terra ED 10×42 which are also 100% waterproof and fog proof. Slightly larger design than the Avalon PRO HD. They produce beautiful images and excellent brightness. Details below: To have very good image quality, you should opt for binoculars that have glass mineral optics, which we can get two types: BK-17 borosilicate and BAK-4 barium, the latter is the highest quality that gives sharper and more contrasted images. Optics Featuring multi-coated optics, these viewing binoculars draw in an incredible amount of light to deliver crisp and vibrant imagery. Whether you're birding in the forest or zooming in on the action from the cheap seats, these optics excel in both full- and low-light situations. A ridged focus control wheel lets you sharpen image quality and focus in on your subject with a simple twist. These low-light binoculars are also tripod compatible, so you can keep your hands free for other tasks. This bright, sharp, and reliable model from the Olympus Pro lineup (a new 8x42 version is also available) feature nano coating for the first time in the range. Olympus is renowned for its optical expertise, so it’s no surprise that we get the same high-performance Zuiko optics that it deploys with its camera systems. Indeed, the claim here is these binoculars' optics offer unprecedented light transmittance for their class. A pair of 20×50 binoculars will magnify 20 times and employ objective lenses of 50mm diameter. These binoculars will provide an exit pupil of 2.5mm (objective lens divided by magnification). An exit pupil of this size provides plenty of daylight power with decent cloudy or late-afternoon visibility. You might want to add a tripod for stability, however.

Nature-Trek

Waterproofing: You’re going to be using your binoculars outside so it’s best to be sure that they won’t let in water if you’re caught in a rain shower. They’ll fog up and condensation will form on the inner surfaces if this happens. However, the binoculars themselves feel solidly made, they’re light and portable and offer screw-out eyecups – a lot more than you’d expect for the money. They’re cheaper, too, than the Trailseekers and feel better made, with a smoother focus dial and longer 22mm eye relief, so they’re better for glasses wearers, although we’re not too keen on the cheap-feeling lens caps. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected in to BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.

At higher levels of magnification, it’s hard to hold binoculars steady enough to see a stable image. A higher magnification also usually means a narrower field of view. Field of view (or FOV), incidentally, is another figure usually stencilled on the binocular somewhere. It’s normally expressed in degrees and refers to how much you can see from left to right when you’re peering through them. What is the best magnification level for bird watching or astronomy? With the lightweight construction of the CL Companion binoculars and the impeccable build quality, you can be sure your investment will withstand the test of time, which is what you would expect as these are far from cheap. But I say you get what you pay for and the optical quality of these binoculars is possibly the best on the market.All of Canon’s current range of binos have the ‘IS’ suffix in their model name to denote the fact they’re image-stabilized binoculars. This battery-operated option enables you to get a wobble-free image by just pressing a button on the binoculars – and the stabilizing effect is both instant and jaw-dropping. Deciding on which option is the best for you really comes down to personal preference. If you are planning on using these binoculars during a hike, then perhaps the 10x42 binoculars are the right choice. This strikes a fine balance between the overall weight and the quality that they can offer. However, the 10x50 binoculars would flourish with activities such as bird watching and stargazing. If price isn't a concern and you just want the best optical quality on the market to date, then this pair of Swarovski CL Companion 8x30 compact binoculars are just the thing to let you observe wildlife from as close to 3 meters all the way up to 132 meters – with crystal clear vision. Best binoculars for beginners?