Introduction

When it comes to my binoculars, I must confess to being a bit of a traditionalist. Apart from the odd tweak here and there, the occasional reduction in weight and improvements in optical quality, their overall design has not changed that much over the years.

So even though Image Stabilized binoculars have been around for a while and I know that this technology is far more than just a gimmick, I had not had the chance or indeed actively sought out the opportunity to use a pair.

This recently changed when Canon kindly sent me their compact 10x30 IS binoculars to test and review, that in theory, should make ideal safari binoculars.

Main Specifications

• Size: Mid Size Binoculars
• Prism Type: Porro Prism Binoculars
• Magnification: 10x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 30mm
• Exit Pupil: 3
• Twilight Factor: 17.32
• Eye Relief: 14.5mm
• Weight: 21.2ozs (601g)
• Length: 5.9in (15cm) Height: 2.8in (7.1cm) Width: 5.0in (12.7cm)
• Real field of view: 6.0°
• Apparent field of view: 60.0°
• Field of View: 105m at 1,000 meters
• Field of View: 314ft at 1,000 yards
• Close Focus Distance: 13.8ft
• Waterproof: No (weather resistant)
• Fogproof: No
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Extra Low Dispersion Glass: No

 

The Safari Guide Opinion

Obviously the standout feature of these Canon binoculars is their Image Stabilisation technology that is there to either reduce or in some circumstances completely eliminate image shake.

So before I review the rest of binocular, I thought that it would be useful to talk a little about Canon image stabilisation binoculars and IS in general.

Canon IS Binoculars

Whilst you can find other makes of image stabilization binoculars, Canon have been at the forefront of this particular technology since it came into existence and currently offer a fairly wide range of binoculars all with image stabilization.

Canon first developed their IS technology with photographic lenses in mind and it is now found in many pro-photographer's camera bags. The Image Stabilising in Canon's binoculars gives you the same advantages as the lens IS, making it easier to hand-hold the image steady for extended periods of time making viewing easier and far more comfortable with their binoculars.

How Canon Stabilizer Binoculars Work

Inside the binoculars there are two sensors that detect both horizontal and vertical movement, this information is then instantly sent back to a microprocessor that controls two Vari-Angle Prisms (one in each barrel). These are then instantly adjust the refraction angle of the incoming light to keep the image that you are looking at still.

To activate the IS, you just press and hold a button on top of the binoculars. I must also point out that the binoculars can be used just like standard ones, without the IS switched on.

How Well Does the IS Work?

The short answer is really well, and it is far more than just a gimmick. With just a press of a button there is a small shudder of the image as the IS kicks in and then the image becomes far more still.

For a demonstration, take a look at the video below that clearly shows just how effective the image stabilisation is. Please note that this video was taken through the smaller Canon 8×25 IS binoculars, that have a less powerful magnification than this 10x version and therefore have less image shake.

Why use Image Stabilisation?

The magnification on your binoculars helps to bring distant objects more clearly into view, that's the whole point of them. But on the flip side, it also amplifies any small movement, making the image you are looking at unsteady. As the magnification goes up, the more and more even the smallest movements make the image you are looking at shake about until they become almost useless.

But this Image shake is only really bad once you get to powers of about 15x and over and it is only then that you really start to need something to steady the image.

So you have to ask do you need IS on a pair of binoculars with only a 10x magnification?

The answer for many uses would be No it is not vital, but is a nice feature to have - Then there are also a few areas, including on safari where IS is not only a nice feature to have, but can be very beneficial:

• If you use your binoculars on a moving platform - things like watching wildlife from a slowly moving safari vehicle or if you use them on a boat
• If you spend long periods looking through your binoculars, even the smallest movements eventually make your eyes feel tired - the IS has the effect of reducing this. The additional comfort you get from viewing still images really can't be overstated
• If you view fast moving and erratic birds through your binoculars - especially if you want to track them across the sky
• If you have unsteady or shaky hands

Alternative to IS?

The traditional way to get around image shake, is the same as in photography - to use a tripod. The problem with this is that along with your binoculars, you now have to carry a tripod with you which is far from ideal. There are also some cases where a tripod will not actually help, for example if you are on a moving platform like a safari vehicle or on a boat.

So image stabilizing binoculars, can help by eliminate this image shake or at lest reduce it to a point where you can once again get a clear view without the need to carry a tripod.

Body & Outer Construction

The downside to all this clever technology is that the electronics require a batteries – Two size AA batteries, to be precise, which according to Canon will last for about 20 hours of observation using the stabilizer. As the IS is only activated when the button on the top is held, you will probably get many months of use out of the binoculars before they need to be replaced.

A small LED next to the button lights up whilst it is pressed, so even if you don't notice the difference in viewing when the IS stops working (which you will), when the light no longer lights, you will know that it is time to replace the batteries.

Holding these Canon 10x30 binoculars, they not only feel really comfortable but are also well balanced, this combined with the IS and their relatively low weight mean that these make a great choice for long periods of observation from a hide or overlooking a waterhole whilst on safari.

The Stabilizer button on top of the device is also easily reachable with either hand and so makes activating it really simple.

Weight & Dimensions
Considering the extra electronics that they have, they weigh only 600gr/21.2 oz (excluding batteries, which compares very well to other mid sized binoculars and even with batteries they could not be described as heavy.

They are not as compact when you compare them to other mid-sized binoculars, (15x12.7x7.1 cm), so if you are really pushed for space in your travel bag, these may not be ideal for you.

Water Resistant
Whilst these do have a water-resistant rubber coating, they are not fully fog or waterproof which is a little disappointing. Canon do make fully water proof versions of their IS binoculars a 10x42 and the very powerful 15x50 and 18x50 versions.

Interpupillary Distance Adjustment
Unlike most binoculars that have a central hinge running down the length of the body that is used to adjust the distance between the eyepiece lenses to suit your eyes (Interpupillary Distance Adjustment), these eyepieces can adjusted independently from the body, which works well and I had no problems with.

Focusing
To focus on an object, as with most binoculars, you just turn the central focusing wheel which on the model I reviewed was smooth and takes just over one full revolution to go from the near focus to infinity.

The diopter adjustment ring is located on the right barrel of the binocular. This enables you to adjust the lenses separately to allow for differences in each of your eyes and plays an important part in correctly focusing your binoculars. On the binocular that I tested, it was tight enough so that it would not easily be moved accidentally, but also not so tight as to make ant adjustments difficult.

Eye-Cups & Eye Relief
The rubber eye-cups on these Canon binoculars were comfortable even when pushed firmly against my face and they also did a pretty good job of blocking out light from the sides.

These Canon binoculars don't have twist up eye-cups common on many binoculars these days, but they still offer a good 14.5 mm of eye relief. This should be enough for most people who wear glasses to be able to use the binoculars without having to remove them - to do this you would just roll down the eye-cups.

Optics & Optical Performance

Field of View
The field of view of these Canon binoculars is 314ft at 1000 yards (105m@1000m) which means they have an angle of view of 6° and an apparent field of view of 60° which is for a binocular with a 10x magnification acceptable, but nothing spectacular. (As magnification goes up, the field of view tends to decrease)

Close Focusing Distance
Their minimum focus distance is 4.2 m/13.8 ft. Which I would say is a little disappointing especially if you want to use your binoculars for viewing butterflies or other objects at close range. (Anything under 6ft is excellent.)

30mm Objective Lens Size & Brightness
The most common objective lens size for mid-sized binoculars is 32mm, With the 10x30 IS, Canon have used slightly smaller 30mm objective lenses. This has the advantage of making the binocular smaller as well as lighter, but larger lenses will have more light gathering potential:

All 10x30 binoculars, including these will have an exit pupil of 3.0mm and a Twilight Factor of 17.3, which if you compare it to a 10x32 binoculars that have an Exit Pupil of 3.2mm and a Twilight Factor of 17.9, it would suggesting that the Canon will probably not perform as well as binoculars with the same quality optical components in poor light conditions.

It is important to remember thought that whilst the exit pupil and especially the twilight factor make it possible to compare the performance of different configurations of binoculars in low light conditions, they do not take into account the quality of the prisms, lenses and their coatings:

Field Flattener Lenses

All binoculars in Canon's IS series use the worlds first doublet field-flattener lens. What these do is improve the edge sharpness of the image and also lower the distortion by minimizing curvature of the field.

Lens Coatings

Canon's use their own "Super Spectra multi-coating", which they say maximises contrast and minimises colour smear. I cannot verify the effectiveness of the actual coating, but can say that looking through the binoculars, the colour reproduction felt natural, unlike the artificial hues that you often get on cheaper binoculars and the contrast of the image looked pretty good to me.

The View Through the Binoculars

Comparing the view through these with my benchmark mid-sized binoculars, I would describe the view through the Canon as being very good.

Brightness
The image brightness is impressive and as good as my benchmark which has slightly larger 32mm objective lenses. So whilst they may have less light gathering potential, than say a binocular with larger 32mm objective lenses, they make up for it when compared to other cheaper binoculars with the quality of their glass and coatings.

Image sharpness was also very good as was the contrast and colour reproduction.

The amount of softening of the image around the edge of the view was pretty non-existent and there was no noticeable colour fringing which is excellent and is an indication that the doublet field-flattener lenses that they use is worth it.

Also Included

• Carry Case - The soft carry case is worth mentioning in that is well made looks really stylish with the brushed aluminium badge on the front. These is not as much padding in it as I would have expected however.
• 2AA Batteries - I am glad that Cannon use a standard batter size to power the electronics, so you should always be able to find replacements should yours run out. I thing it is also worth repeating that you can use the binoculars without the IS on.
• Neck Strap - The sample binoculars that was sent to me from Cannon obviously gets used by many people and did not come with a neck strap or eyepiece covers. New binoculars would come with both, but I obviously cannot comment on their quality in this review.
• Eyepiece Caps

Best Binocular Video Review of the Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars

This video above is part of a full review that I did for the Best Binocular reviews website, you can read the full Canon 10x30 IS Image Stabilized Binocular review here.

Price

At their original recommended retail price of about £499/$590, they were perhaps a little on the steep side, but now you can now pick them up for under £300/$350, which for me makes a huge difference to how much I like them - at this price I do feel that considering how well the image stabilisation works, they make pretty good value for money.

Cost & Where to Buy

UK Shoppers Buy in the UK:	US Shoppers Buy in the USA:
	Canon IS Binoculars on Amazon.com
Canon 10x30 IS £299 (with free delivery) at Warehouseexpress.com
Canon IS Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk

 

Conclusion

As a safari binocular these make a lot of sense, the 10x magnification is ideal and the image stabilization has some real advantages, both in a safari vehicle and for using over long periods of time in a hide or looking at wildlife at a waterhole for example.

As with most mid-sized binoculars, their smallish size makes them far easier to pack in with your luggage and carry around with you whilst on safari than full sized binoculars.

Weak points for me are the fact that they are not 100% waterproof, so they may not be ideal if you plan on getting wet whilst out in the bush, but fine if you are a fair weather observer of wildlife. I would have also preferred it is they had a closer minimum focusing distance, but this is only a minor point.

So on the whole, for many people, especially those who like their technology, these will make ideal binoculars to take with you on safari.

Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Canon for sending me the binoculars to review and Warehouse Express for organising it for me.

I would also state that as with all the reviews that I write on this site, the views are my own opinion of the product and are not influenced in any way by manufacturers, distributors or suppliers.

Having aid that, it is also worth noting that at the time of writing Warehouse Express have the Canon 10x30IS listed on their site at £299, which is a real bargain (the price on Amazon.co.uk is £326.03) Click here to check current prices.

Similar Binoculars

One of my favorite Safari Binoculars

Another top of the range Mid-Size Binocular, this time from Kowa - a fantastic safari binocular:

 

If you are after a cheaper Mid-Size Binocular:

 

Or if you are looking for a more compact and cheaper binocular? You should consider the excellent 10.5x28 Steiner Wildlife Pro Binoculars:

 

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