Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
Customer Review: stable view makes binocs worth using
Summary: 5 Stars
I go to an occasional football or other sports game, and would like to get closer to the action. Or I'd like to look at the stars, or at a bird in a tree, or to see what that stick is that is resting on my roof, or whatever. The image stabilizing thing is great. It's not a marketing hype, something that sounds nice but is so-so when using. The I/S feature really is great--it removes all the hand-holding shaking from the view, and keeps things really really focused on what you are looking at. You can get some drift, which means the thing you are looking at can gradually move out of the field of vision, cuz of your hands/arms are gradually moving away from it. But you can get it right back in. I think how this thing works is that when you click the I/S button (on top of the binocs, easy to find), there is a built-in feed back that takes part of the image and keeps it at the same spot no matter what slight movements you make--thus compensating for your shakes that no one can avoid, by slightly moving some of the prisms inside to keep the image the same, regardless of your small movements in holding the binocs. With the image kept at the same spot, your eyes can pick up more of it, see more detail (examples--moon, planets, stars)because your eye isn't chasing the image around as the binocs inevitably move around. It's not cheap to get this feature in the binocs, but these are my favorite for college football, seeing the stars, and so on. I also have their big brother, the 15x50, but those are heavier. When you press the stabilize button, you can feel a slight clunk in the unit (this is a good feature, cuz you can feel/hear it's turned on, sorta like feedback from a keyboard when you press a key, not a problem) and it does its magic. For a football game, take along extra batteries cuz you'll use the I/S button a lot, and you'll get mad if it runs out of power (due to prior use, etc.)--because you will have seen (no pun intended) how much you like the I/S feature! BTW, in a football game, you will get set on the quarterback or whoever else you are following, then click on the turn-on-I/S button, follow the play for 10 seconds, then let off the button saving the batteries. Then repeat half a minute or so later, etc.
BTW, 15/50 Canon review would read about the same, except 10x30 are a lot less in cost, and the 15/50 are probably three times as heavy, but they work as well on holding a stable image. My 20x70 regular binocs don't get used much anymore, cuz one can't hold them as still without a tripod, but it's an issue of money as to if you want to pay for the I/S feature--probably triple the price of a non-I/S binoc. I'm glad I paid for it. I'm not a birder but I'm sure a birder would go ape (uh, mixed animals here) about the ability to stabilize an image--would also damp out small movements of a canoe you were sitting in, as well as normal arm/hand shakes. Good for a going to a big football game.
Customer Review: Why image stabilization is a revolution in binoculars
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want to get a quick idea why image stabilization (IS) is the next revolution in binoculars, that's easy: take any binoculars that you can get and look through them at some object (a printed page of paper with several font sizes is ideal). Then look again at the same object from the same distance, but this time with the binoculars moudnted on a steady support (don't touch em!). You will notice that the actual resolution increases by a factor of at least 2 or 3 when mounted. That is, you can discern details that are at least two or three times smaller, because mounting eliminates the smear caused by the shaking of your hands. IS is like having this support available any time and anywhere you need it by a push of a button! In most conditions, the practical resolutions I can get with my Canon IS cannot be matched by any hand-held, unstabilized binoculars in the market, including those fancy Nikons, Swarovskis, Leicas and Zeiss that cost three or four times as much. No matter how good (and how expensive) is the optics of these top-of-the-line binoculars, their limiting factor in the field is the shaking of your hands. You may have heard that IS is important because it eliminates eyestrain and headaches, or because you can use the binoculars from a boat or a moving car. While these are good reasons to buy the Canon, the best reason is that they let you see much more detail in any given distance. And this is the reason why you buy binoculars in the first place.If you are a birder like me, and you are looking for a top of the line binoculars, do not buy anything before you try this one. In my opinion IS is going to revolutionize the whole field, so a costly pair of Swarovski or Zeiss, that normally could be considered as a good investment for life, will not be top of the line anymore in two or three years. In addition to the IS, the Canon has quite good optics, good field of view and is much smaller and lighter then most models you probably considered. This makes the Canon very close to the ideal birding binoculars: Highest resolution, less weight, and less money. I did not have the opportunity to test the larger Canon IS models, but I don't think I'd buy them even if I had the money, because they are twice as heavy and (very important for birding) has smaller field of view.
Note one general disadvantage of the Canon, however: They are not as tough as the top roof prism binoculars. They are water resistant but not water proof, and the IS requires batteries (a pair of NiMH for several hours of birding. This is the digital camera procedure: get a charger and at least one replacement set). While the binoculars feel sturdy, dropping them is not good for the IS mechanism, and this is probably why Canon gives only one year warranty. So the Canon are not the best pair to take for an expedition in Alaska, but for a Sunday birder like me, these are easily the best in their price range, and probably the best in any price.
Customer Review: Blown away
Summary: 5 Stars
First, I need to disclose that I am entirely new to binoculars. Prior to the Canon 10x30's my previous binoculars were made by Bushell. As you know, these are the cheap binoculars you get at department stores are really horrible once compared to something just a bit more expensive. So you can see where I'm coming from.
Well, When I first used these Canons I looked at the Moon and I can't believe how bright it was. The image is as crisp as my eyes can resolve, and the binoculars are surprisingly easy to keep steady even when the Image Stabilizer is turned off. So imagine my surprise when I turned on the IS. It is just very easy to see amazing detail effortlessly. The IS feels much like the one found on a video or photo digital camera.
The battery latch seems a bit fiddly, but fortunately, batteries are said to last a good 4 hours of continuous use, for alkalines.
They are not heavy at all, although they feel substantial. These binoculars are comfortable and usable and cause no eyestrain or long term discomfort.
I find that the eye reliefs are very generous and that there is not a lot of difference in what you see with the way you position the binoculars against your eyes, so that you can simply hold them comfortably instead of trying to maintain a very precise spot against your face.
The supplied padded case is nylon and has a nice classy feel to it. And although it is not a hard case, I feel it provides enough protection if you are going to put that case into another bag, as long as the bag does not get dropped from too high.
While it is true that they come with no frontal lens caps, I am not sure they are needed, as the lenses are well recessed.
You do need to hold your finger on the IS button for as long as you need the feature, unlike other IS binoculars. But I find this button light enough that this is not a problem.
These are not resistant to the elements, so I am not sure if I would want to take them with me to places where they could get dropped in water. I feel like I would want to treat these like I would treat a nice camera. Although these are not resistant to full immersion in water, they are, according to Canon, resistant to water drops from rain.
Overall, I recommend these to pretty much anyone looking for binoculars that are portable, high quality, easy to use and comfortable, and who does not mind paying a little extra.
Customer Review: Great Compromise between Cost and Features!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned a pair of Canon 10X30 image stablization binoculars for over a year now. Both the image clarity and the performance of the image stabilization are very good. These binoculars are not too heavy as well; however, you may consider replacing the included thin nylon Canon strap with either a neoprene strap from Op/Tech or a secured strap from Pacsafe. I have also recommended the 10X30 IS to a few friends who have either gone on to either purchase their own 10X30 IS or the 12X36 II.
This product is what I consider to be a great compromise of cost and features. While the Canon 8X25 IS was a little cheaper than the Canon 10X30, I preferred the fact that the 10X30 takes AA batteries instead of special lithium CR batteries like in the case of the 8X25. Of course if would have been nice to have the power of the 12X36 II, but of course those binoculars are about $200 more. I do wish it had weather-sealing protection, but at this price, it is hard to expect this feature.
While I love these binoculars, I have never been happy with the included Canon nylon zipper case as any binocular straps get in the way of the zipper on the case. It has been very difficult to look for a better 3rd party case for these binoculars due to the irregular shape as it is a hybrid of a roof prism and porro prism design. After a lot of searching, I finally found that the Think Tank Photo Skin 50 is a great case for these Canon 10X30 binoculars. The zipperless loop-and-hook design of the Think Tank Skin 50 allows me to place my binoculars inside without having zippers get in the way of my Pacsafe binocular/camera strap. The noise-less velcro option make it easy for my to remove or secure my binoculars during plays and concerts.
Again, this is a fine pair of binoculars; however, a third party case and strap may be needed. Amazon was able to deliver these binoculars on time, without damage.
Customer Review: Great product!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the Canon 10x30 I.S. binocs for about a week now. The Canon optics by themselves are very good. Bright, clear, and sharp. When you add the I.S. feature, they are a no-brainer.
I compared these to other high-end glass. While the European glass is slightly brighter and clearer when they are compared on a FIXED mount, once you have to hold them in your hands for viewing the Canon's allow you to see more detail with the I.S. feature. If you have a chance to preview these binocs, try reading license plates at distance- like a couple of blocks away. Try doing that with other non-I.S. binocs and then try the Canons. The Canons with the I.S. engaged allowed me see the detail and read the plates MUCH easier than any other 10X non-I.S. binocs no matter what the price. So if your viewing is mostly done with hand-held binocs, these are fabulous.
A note of caution- these are not the smallest or lightest binocs. But when comparing them with other 10x binocs (other than compacts) they are within reason.
They aren't waterproof, but for my uses I did not require that feature. I can't comment on overall durability since I've only had them for a week. And I don't know what the battery life will be since they are new. Here's my minor nitpicks. I would like to have a "timed-on" feature of the I.S. so you don't have to continuosly hold down the button, or a switch for "constant-on".
Overall, I'm very happy with them so far. It makes me want to try the newer Canon 10x42 I.S. with even better optics! But as they are, I feel the 10x30's is the best $300+ dollars I've ever spent on binos. For the price you can't go wrong.