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: They beat Leica 8X32's
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh, man. I worked eBay, finally got myself a pair of the vaunted Leica 8X32 roofs at a decent price. And splendid binoculars they are. Excellent.Then Canon comes out with these IS 8X25's. I already had the 12X36 jobs, wonderful and bulky. HAD to have the 8X25's.
Here's the deal. Serious binocular users know "Better view Desired" http://www.betterviewdesired.com/
I used a casual version of his NEED test.
The $300 canon IS 8X25's beat the $500 Leica 8X32's all hollow on any measure of hand-held resolution. HAND-HELD. On a rest, the Leicas showed their precision optics. Hand held, the Canon's were far better.
There ya be, friends. Image stabilization RULES.
RossB
Digital camera Review: Viewing Power per Dollar - Second to None!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to give these binoculars 5 stars, not because they are the finest optics money can buy, but because they give the clearest and steadiest handheld viewing you can get at anywhere near this price. Value for the money is the point, here. But, besides value, they actually are very good quality optics! They feel well made. Although they are mostly plastic, it's good quality material, they don't feel cheesy. No, they are not built like a Leica tank (intended to survive an atomic blast), but the image stabilization is so amazing, I am willing to be a little extra careful with them. You look through them and press that button, and, PRESTO, the view just stops jiggling! It's just fantastic! The I.S. has greatly improved my stargazing pleasure. Maybe I have especially bad hand tremor, but I would bet anybody would notice a big difference. I really love them!!Digital camera Review: You can't pound tent pegs with them.
Summary: 4 Stars
They are, and they aren't, great binocsWhat they are: as it says, the lightest and least expensive IS binoculars on the market (right now). The optics themselves are only merely very good, but - HAND HELD - with the IS activated, they allow me to read fine print about 20% closer than with my Leica 8x32 Ultras. On a rest, the Leicas are superior. It's the elimination of the jiggles - the 8x25 Canons don't give an image that's as bright and contrasty as those high dollar Leicas, but the steadier image more than makes up for that.
What they aren't: waterproof or armored. So have a care if you use them in conditions of rain or dust. They're much more complicated than simple binocs, with electric circuits inside, and the matter of reliability does come into consideration - but in the first year, they've survived life in the tote bag ,bouncing along dirt roads without a hiccup. Two more things: besides armoring and ruggedizing, Canon had to compromise _somewhere_ to make them this small. So, while the IS deals well with rapid human shaking. it doesn't seem to correct at all for slow motions. I imagine the engineers were forcd to leave off the sensors for slow motions, to fit everything else in. And, they use CR123 batteries, more expensive and harder to find in a pinch than AA batteries. Of course, if the batteries run dead, all your are left with is a functional set of very good, if a bit bulky, 8x25 binocs. What Canon has created is $300 binoculars that - hand held, with the IS active - outperform my high dollar Leica 8x32 Ultras. And, I imagine, the Nikon SE's, too. No kidding.
Digital camera Review: best bang for the buck in Image Stabilization Binoculars
Summary: 5 Stars
I just received my Canon 8x25 IS binoculars and they are just as sharp, bright and contrasty as my Pentax DCF WP 8x42 binoculars but show more detail when using image stabilization. They weigh only 16 oz so they are perfect for hanging from your neck for extended birding, sightseeing etc. You will not find better optics in their price range that includes a $50 Canon rebate until July 15. I also have the Canon 10x42L IS WP and 12x36 IS II binoculars but they are much larger and can get heavy when hanging from your neck for extended periods.Digital camera Review: nice, but not that amazing
Summary: 4 Stars
I couldn't help myself buying these after reading the reviews (all magnifications). I got it for $170 A/R.
When I took it out case and look through, I was a little bit dissapointed. The IS effect was not so obvious. But after a while I got used to it. I think it is not bad.
The binoculars are nice themselves without IS. The IS effect is not so big becasue I think this is only 8 times magnification.
This is the only reason that I am giving it a 4 star ranking instead of 5.
But don't get me wrong, the IS effect is there. I can read smaller words with IS on. So I suggest buying higher powers if you can afford them and you are OK with their sizes and weights. The higher power the better IS effet.
Now about those whines,
1. Battery.
It is said one cr123a can be used for 6 hours. It is OK and it's not expensive if you buy them online ($1.5 each).
2. Object lens caps.
I put eye lens caps on object lens, they fit well.
3. Durability.
It's a fine product. What do you wanna do with a fine optical product other than using it with care?