Image stabilisation in binoculars is a complete game changer for me, I will never go back to a traditional model now. These Canon seems to be relatively cheap, compact, light and powerful. So the 10x20 could replace my relatively old Canon 12x36 is II where the rubber protection completely melt, making them sticky as hell... I don’t do observations in dim light. Even with superb luminous binoculars, when there is no light, it is always hard to see something clearly in my opinion...
Hi Eric, many thanks for the feedback and yes I think in good light these can be effective for those who may need a little more steadiness for whatever reason.
great review! I've been wanting a pair of binos for such long time! I really didn't now where to start looking, I have been chatting with the guys at canon on their live chat, they let me know about IS Binos and that's blown my mind, and from there I found your video!
Really appreciate the detail and 💯 percent honest review as always.. iam watching your video since my first time looking for good binocular. keep the good work mr.jason.. Many thanks and greetings from indonesia.
I got the 8x20 IS last year. The optics are *superb* and my new benchmark for excellence for daytime fair weather viewing. Beyond stabilisation, the total lack of curvature of field in particular has spoiled me when I compare to most other binoculars. A larger FOV wouldn't hurt but the image that you get is of such high quality I really can't complain. Remember that these are porro prism binoculars, all the money really goes into the lenses and stabilisation.
Excellent review. I appreciate your thoroughness and "decision logic" guidance at the end. I am a modest binocs user; I keep them handy at the back door for watching birds in the garden and park behind my house, planespotting (I live near O'Hare airport, so the heavies taking off to Asia glide over us), and occasional hiking with my wife locally or on vacations. Low light and wet conditions are generally not an issue. I am really intriguied by what IS can add to our experiences without much penalty in size/weight. Seriously considering the 10x20 model. I have good feelings about electronic-assisted devices in general so am not worried about power usage or fragility. I'm not going on any special-ops missions ;-)
Hi gregger59, please accept my apology for the delayed response. I'd say go for it - but please let me know which one you go for and how you feel about them after using them for a while. As a suggestion take a look at the Kite APC 16x42 Image Stabilised Binoculars www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Kite-APC-16x42-Image-Stabilised-Binoculars-Review-275.htm
I recently purchased an 8 x 20 to add to my 10 x 30 and 12 x 36 Canon IS binoculars. The 8 x 20s are going back. Not because they don’t stabilize well or the image isn’t up to snuff. It’s the build quality and the feel in my hands that disappoint. The larger Canons have a rubber coating (which after 7 years is still perfect, but I keep them in their case when no in use) and the PID is easy to adjust on the larger ones. The 8 x 20s are all smooth plastic, are difficult to adjust the PID, and have no diopter adjustment. So sharing them is difficult. The image stabilization is good, but the improvement is not as dramatic as with the larger, more powerful binoculars. At $449, I would go with a non-IS camera with better ergonomics.
I bought the 8x20 for theatre, shows and concerts. All your 3 conditions are fulfilled. I'm very happy with them. For birds and stars, I have already the canon 10x42 L Is. I will never go back to standard binos either.
Very good, very thorough review. My situation is rarely addressed in any review. I use binoculars at concerts and public events, so dim light is not an issue. Neither is inclimate weather ( in which case I’d go home!) . What IS an issue is watching for a sustained period of time, so I think the stabilization is worth it, for reduced eye fatigue and general enjoyment. After watching your demonstration, I’m going ahead with the IS option. Thank you for your objective analysis and patient explanation.
Hi Kyle, thanks for the comment and sorry for the late reply, hopefully you have you new binoculars by now - I am interested how you are finding them, especially for your use at concerts etc.
@@Bestbinocularsreviews Haven’t gotten them yet- I’ve been warned NOT to buy anything for myself before my birthday in April! I’ll be sure and let you know, though. Thanks for your kind response.
Non IS binoculars are a pain - if u can afford IS, they're just a no brainer must have, This guy I think understates the miraculous improvement in resolution with IS.
I’d say for 8-10x, get normal Bino’s. These ranges can easily be held steady by hand, up to 15x. Beyond this IS is an excellent idea or those who are a little unsteady. Not worth the compromise’s in low light performance and image quality otherwise.
Yip, I would pretty much agree with that ... most of the time - unless you have particularly unsteady hands, or if you are on a unstable surface like a boat or canoe etc.
I have the 8x20. There's no compromise in image quality, they're fantastic. At 8x hand held an unstabilized image might not consciously register as shaky but with an objective metric like text legibility the difference becomes obvious. When I tested I could read several sizes smaller text with the IS compared to an unstabilized control, and I could comfortably view the image for much longer. Compared to other 8x20 or thereaboutses the primary sacrifice is pocketability, the secondary is weatherproofing. Definitely not an EDC kind of item.
Hi BBR, 1. Any opinion on the Fujinon 16×28? Size even smaller. 2. Canon IS has gone through 3 or 4 generations, most of them still in production. For electronics, i tend to go for the latest generation, but only 10× 8× available. For 15× 18x versions were released almost 10+ years ago. literally antique for electronics. Would you recommend the "antique" high power IS? Thanks.
thank you for a sensible review of the stabilisation qualities of these modestly specified canons. But what about their optical qualities? I am greatly disappointed to find both chromatic and spherical aberration in mine. The image is not at the level of my 1985 pentax 8x24s
Hi, I have tested both canon with IS just a view minuets.They just do what they have to do. Quality is OK. I find the 10 x 30 IS a little more accurate/faster then the 12x36 model I think. ( maybe this can vary from unit to unit?) I don't know for sure if I should order one: "yes is ok , no is also ok." ?
Hello. I'm using the binoculars 8x20 IS to visit churches too. One particular property of these binoculars is their minimum focussing distance : only 2 meters. This is needed when you want to see details in a church, or for watching insects...
Hi Mykel - that is a nice selection and a good range. Big and powerful as well as small and compact. My question is if IS is really needed with these very small 20mm instruments?
@@Bestbinocularsreviews on an 8/10x20 I wouldn't probably bother. Better to get IS on larger/more powerful optics. On the 10x during the day I'd say it's not even needed, but for birding it's great.
Hi, what you think about the canon 12x 36 111 model? For planes , birds and stargazing? I am thinking getting one or the canon 10x30. 11 model. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Miertje, yes for planes especially, I like the idea of the Canon 12x36 IS - Whilst not terrible, the small 36mm objectives will mean they wont be as suites to night time use and for stargazing.
I had to laugh when you said that over time the prices will come down. Nope, about £650 ($750?) for a 10x20. Prices have gone completely nuts for some glass, plastic and small circuit board, though it helps when selling off old binoculars as you get nearly as much back as you originally paid for them but if you want a good set of bins now the main brands are just out of reach for anyone without a lot f disposable income so glad I don't really need any more binoculars now as I have plenty that are good enough.
Hi, and if you just want that the stars , moon and Jupiler not shaking as normal . Would the canon With its IS can be an improvement for that? I want to order one for general use it would be also cool if the stars are not shaking too Mutch, even if the image is dimmer , you Should make out more detail and a more Stable view if the IS is on, right??? Thanks again -sorry but i can not understand the big “problem” with this system for stars. ( Maybe if i test it myself….?)
Hi yes, IS binoculars are certainly a good choice for hand-held astronomy as they do a good job of steadying the view. However, it can still get heavy over longer periods and it is not as easy to share the view with someone as it is when your binocular is mounted onto a tripod. On the plus side it is more portable than having to carry about a tripod. So it just depends on which way you want to go and what suits you best.
Hi, maybe a little bit of everyting? Bino with IS, normal telescope, lightweight bino...... I will test 2 first today ( 10x30 and 12x36) and then will think about it.thanks.
I've seen many IS vs "standard" binocular reviews and they all come to the same conclusions -- there's nothing new here. What's needed is a review of IS binoculars ONLY -- for the growing number of binocular owners that will never go back to standard binos, like me.
Hi Gary, thanks for the comment and I do have full and very comprehensive reviews of IS binoculars only on BBR - the latest being the Kite APC 16x42 IS binoculars www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Kite-APC-16x42-Image-Stabilised-Binoculars-Review-275.htm
I like the idea but up to 10x I do not need it. if I need a steady view I will use a tripod. for the 10x42 stabiliser price I have a very nice Swarovski. the more gadgets the more can break.
Hi Robin - Yes, I can relate to that - I like the simplicity of n optical only device and never having to worry about batteries and charging etc.. Which in this day an age is becoming a rare thing!
More pros than cons! As EVER with these Tech Marvels! IS RULES! NO Question! Just try a pair! I did and would NEVER go back to standard Binoculars no matter how good the Optics reckon to be! Humans just CANNOT hold Binocs steady enough to get a "stable unaided view"!
Hi, thanks for the comment - sorry I have not yet made a video on Binoculars with a Camera, but I have written a number of articles on the BBR website. In general I think they are a bad idea, here is why and what is a better option: www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/blog/binoculars-with-digital-camera-02/
What i'm worried about is this systems are complex. We all know that the more components, chances of trouble is high. Especially electronically driven ones.
How often did you have your laptop or smart phone fail on you? Or your car, which is also loaded with sensors, processors, and computers? You're being irrational.
Hi Kim, thanks for your comment - Yes, I didn't have those Canon binoculars with me for that video, and I even say as much, however this is NOT a review of the devices, only my thoughts and Comments on them based on their configuration and the official specifications released by Canon
How could you say anything about a product without actually using it? You might be right or equally you might be wrong, so what's the point of the video?
