Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
Digital camera Review: One Month Review
Summary: 5 Stars
I have enjoyed looking through some of the finer binos out there and was really taken back by the quality of the Canon 12x36 IS II binos. They feel solid and well made. The controls are well placed and the cups feel good. The IS button is well placed and comfortable to use. I wish it had a lock-on feature so I could move my hands around. Battery life seems reasonable to me. The case lacks padding, but this is a minor issue.
The size of the binos is a compromise between capability and size. They feel a little bulky, but this is expected with the IS feature. It is very easy to adapt to the feel of these binos and they balance well.
They provide a sharp and crisp image and the IS feature is amazing. It does not compensate for the larger hand movements, but does stabilize all the minor shakes that come from hand holding a 12x bino. I was even able to use them when moving in a car. It took some practice, but after some practice reducing the larger bumps I could easily read license plates hundreds of yards down the road. This feature is well worth having. I find that 12x makes viewing nature all the more enjoyable. After all, the purpose of a bino is to magnify detail and a 12x bino does it better than a 8x bino. When you see a steady 12x image and compare this to a slightly sharper brighter image of a top of the line 'alpha' bino, you might agree that the Canon IS with 12x makes more of a difference to your overall bino experience than the superior image of the higher end bino. To me it was not close.
Some have complained about them being dark and while I agree that they do not match up with binos costing $1500 and more. It is really not an issue for me. The fact that you have a 12x magnification is going to make them a little darker and they are not 42mm glass but 36mm which again means a slightly darker image. The coating are not on pare with the 'alpha' class binos, but for the vast majority of users this will not be an issue. Do not be misled these are bright binos for what they are and I find they work well in low light. They have a nice flat field and the details are sharp across the field.
Would I buy them again? Yes I would not hesitate to do so. This is a high quality bino with some trade offs, but overall for ~$500 it is a great, if not exceptional, bino value. The ability to have a steady 12x is amazing and takes the bino experience to a new level. I wish Canon would have included integrated front caps and I would have liked to have this pair waterproofed, but then the cost would increase.
Based on overall value I feel this bino deserves 5 stars.
Digital camera Review: Pricey- and well worth it!!! Simply amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply stated, these are the best binocs I've ever owned. They are simply amazing in their ability to control the shakes. The optics seem to be of the highest quality with no distortions or imperfections or false colorization. The stabilization technology is amazing! I have a significant "essential tremor" which has limited my ability to use binocs. These binocs "cure" that condition! To see things snap to stable and clear upon the click of a button is a wonder to behold!Digital camera Review: Rock Steady
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought these ahead of a trip to South America - Galapagos Islands, Macchu Picchu, etc. I admit I was skeptical about image stabilization. The first time I pushed the button, however, was an Oh My! moment. Performance is flawless. They really made this trip extra special. Guides thought they were something magical.
A good weight and size for traveling and light enough to hold to your eyes for extended periods (such as while watching blue-footed boobies dance or scanning the ruins atop Wayna Picchu) with plenty of magnification. They're also great for star-gazing.
Digital camera Review: The Right Choice
Summary: 5 Stars
I was thinking of geting the 10X version. It made more sense to have image stabilization with the 12X version and I could not afford the Nikon 14X.
I was happy to find out that the Canon 12X36 IS II takes AA batteries rather than the expensive 3 Volt Lithium batteries used in the older model. Everyone that had a look throught the Canon 12X36 IS II binoculars was impresed with the image stabilization. No regrets.
Digital camera Review: The most detail you will see from a handheld 12x binocular.
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Canon 12x36 IS II's a year ago and they still work with the original batteries. At 23 oz they are not as heavy as my Canon 10x42L IS WP's and can hang from my neck much longer without feeling heavy. They have a sharp 60° AFOV and are the only 12x binoculars I would want to take for birding or any other outdoor use. They are not waterproof so when I want a waterproof IS binocular I just grab my 10x42L IS WP's.