Canon 8x25 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case and Neck Strap by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon 8x25 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case and Neck Strap
Digital camera Review: Great product for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
There are other stabilizing binoculars that are better but they cost so much more I couldn't afford them. This one I bought for a present to some friends that were sailing off into the sunset. They rant and rave at how much they love them and how they've made spotting small items in the water so much easier! Once you've tried stabilized binoculars it's hard to use the other kind.Digital camera Review: IS is great, Optics OK
Summary: 4 Stars
I used these binocs extensively for several days on African safari to view animals and birds. The night skies were clear so I tried it on a few astronomical objects. As an experienced telescope user I can say the optics are a bit disappointing. There is noticeable chromatic and other aberrations. Of course, an astronomical test is pretty severe compared to a landscape type of view. In daytime viewing most people probably wouldn't notice the deficiencies. Focusing is easy.
The image stabilizing feature is amazingly effective. After initially being a bit underwhelmed, I can say the IS technology makes these binocs hugely more useful than an improvement in the optics would. For stationary or moving objects, it works to near perfection. I used my left hand to focus, right hand to hold the IS button, and both functions were comfortably reachable.
Other good facts--the battery life seems very long. Not sure exactly how many hours but I'm on the first battery still and it's been several months of intermittent (and more recently, heavy) usage.
And they really are lightweight. That makes them superior to larger, better, heavier binocs that you don't use as often because they're not as convenient. You will take these around with you frequently.
Eye relief is fine. For eyeglass wearers, you can fold back the rubber eyecups and put the lens right up to touching your glasses, and you can get a full field of view.
And at around $240, excellent value.
Digital camera Review: Love the Binoculars
Summary: 5 Stars
The stabilizer feature is a real plus. Fits very well in my small handsDigital camera Review: Neat little gadget
Summary: 4 Stars
I have taken this binocular on several vacations. It is a neat binocular. The image stabilization worked great. It is not a gyro stablized binocular, so don't expect it to be a still image. I was on a police helicopter one time and they had the gyro stablized binos that were amazing. While hovering 1000 feet away, you can see everything clearly while the helicopter is in motion. Don't expect that with this bino. You are not paying thousands of dollars for it either. For the amount of money, this bino was a good deal. First the size is perfect. It is not small, but it is not big either. It was comfortable to have hanging around your neck. It wasn't too heavy. The images were clear and when you press the button, the image stablization kicks in. When you release the button, the IS stays on for a few more seconds, so you don't have to press the button constantly. The only thing I wish is that they would add an extra set of lense covers. You can use them to cover the view holes as well as the front lenses. The battery lasted a long time as matter of fact, I'm still on my first set and I've had it for several months now and have taken it on numerous vacations.Digital camera Review: No more headaches
Summary: 4 Stars
Image stabilization (IS) is well worth the modest incremental cost and bulk of binocs w/o IS. You can see detail better and not get headaches from jitter. Almost as good as putting non-IS binocs on a tripod. I'd give it 5 stars if I didn't have to constantly hold down the image stabilization button. I'm sure Canon did that to prevent running down the batteries. However, it would have been nice to push once and have IS stay on for 30 seconds or so.