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Choosing the best binoculars is easy when you know what the specs mean and what to look for Lentes Binoculares Odontologia
Getting the best binoculars means having a clear idea of what you want to use them for, how much weight you're prepared to carry around, and how much you can afford to spend. High-end binoculars are, not surprisingly, pretty expensive, but you don't have to spend a fortune to get a perfectly good pair ideal for your favorite pastime or hobby.
1. Best rated binoculars 2. Best for long distance 3. Best entry-level binoculars 4. Best all round binoculars 5. Best for optical quality 6. Best price to performance 7. Best upgrade option 8. Best budget for astronomy 9. Best for far-reaching views 10. Best budget binoculars 11. Best for everyday 12. Best for star-gazing 13. Best binoculars for kids 14. Best for wet conditions 15. Best for birdwatching 16. Best Niche binoculars 17. Best mid-tier 18. Best for Ruggedness
If your subjects will be a long way away then you'll need decent magnification, though be aware that the higher the magnification, the harder it's going to be to keep the image steady, though a tripod can help you out here for extended periods of wildlife spotting.
If you're using binoculars in low light, and especially for astronomy, then you'll also need light-gathering power, and for this, you need big objective lenses. The bigger the lenses, the easier it will be to make out faint or dim objects – and a good pair of binoculars can reveal more detail in the night sky than you could ever imagine. But big lenses also mean more weight and potentially more arm strain, which is why astronomers often mount their binoculars on a tripod to reduce shake and fatigue.
In general use, then, you'll want to pick a compromise between magnification, light-gathering power, and weight. Sports fans and casual ramblers will often pick binos with modest specs in both regards, just to get binoculars small enough and light enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
Below we list the best binoculars available today, from a range of manufacturers. We've selected specific models here, but remember that many of the binoculars in this list are also available in other sizes and magnifications.
Best rated binoculars
Best rated binoculars The ability to get a close focus on nearby objects as well as a reasonably wide field of view makes the Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 binoculars useful for a wide range of outdoor uses. Read more below
Best for long distance
Best for long distance 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. Read more below
Best entry-level binoculars
Best entry-level binoculars The Prostaff P3 binoculars are an entry-level viewing instrument that we were really impressed with when reviewing. Nikon has saved on manufacturing costs where it counts. Read more below
Best all round binoculars
Best all round binoculars Great if can't decide between buying binoculars primarily for wildlife or astronomy. Read more below
Best for optical quality
Best for optical quality If image and build quality is your number one priority, these are the best you can get. Read more below
Best price to performance
Best price to performance If you want the best bang for your buck these are a great pair of binoculars to help you out in any situation. Read more below
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The ability to get a close focus on nearby objects as well as a reasonably wide field of view makes the Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 binoculars useful for a wide range of outdoor uses, as does the tough build quality and the ED glass, which gives excellent images in our review, which were bright, colorful and sharp.
If you're after a mid-range pair of large binoculars ideal for wildlife viewing, the Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 fits the bill perfectly.
Read our full Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 review for more details
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.
From the broad range of Canon IS options available, I picked the rubber-coated Canon 10x42L IS WP model as the best. As the name suggests, they’re also waterproof, so ideal for an even broader range of long-distance pursuits. Plus, Canon’s ‘L’ series is its premium lineup, providing a super steady view in the most adverse of conditions.
As well as rock-solid stability, these porro prism binoculars sit comfortably in your hand and sport a comfortably long (at 16mm) eye relief, plus a large 4.2mm exit pupil for a bright field of view. They also offer the closest focusing distance that’s closer than most, at just 2.5 meters.
Lens Astronomical Telescope Read our full Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars review for more details