Bird watching is an inexpensive and enjoyable hobby that can be done alone or in a group. With your canon binoculars, a field guide and an hour of your time, you can get started on an educational and beautiful journey. The art of bird watching has been around since the nineteenth century. For many avid birdwatchers, the thrill is in finding that rare species of bird or completing a check list of birds they have spotted that day.
The Canon image stabilization all-weather binoculars really standout from the competition. With these binoculars you can leave your tripod at home. Canon has created best binoculars for bird watching with the image stabilization feature that provides maximum viewing stability with just a push of a button, allowing you to view nature with powerful magnification, and without the risk of a distorted image due shaky hands.
Some people will even travel great distances just to be able to spot a rare species and check it off their list. If you’re a diehard birder, or even a newbie looking to get started, purchasing this popular model by Canon is a must, if you’re looking for dependable, quality binoculars that offer bright, clear images. Buying a good pair of binoculars doesn’t have to break the bank, but if you’re serious about this hobby it is important to put money towards a model that you know will make your birding experience more enjoyable.
Table of Contents
Product Overview And Features
These binoculars are housed in water-resistant rubber armor, which also works to provide shock absorption. The 15 x 50 with 50 MM high magnification objective lenses, optional anti-fog eye pieces and optical image stabilizer provides the birder with a clear, shake-free viewing experience.
- Great zooming capabilities
- Suitable for a wide range of activities
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Ultra-low dispersion objective
- Excellent clarity and contrast
- Can be used with a tripod
Image Stabilization
With most types of high magnification binoculars a tripod is required in order to improve image stabilization. Thanks to the image stabilization built-in feature this problem is completely eliminated. The vari-angle prism and corrective image stabilization system rests between the objective lenses, with the porro prism placed on each side of the binoculars. The vari-angle shape works to refract the light path at precisely the right amount, which helps to compensate for the vibration. This response is immediate, occurring within a thousandth of a second. This type of fast response is what effectively suppresses the image from shaking.
Image Brightness
There are a number of factors that affect the brightness of an image, such as the amount of incidental light that’s reflected by a lens. Uncoated lenses can reflect as much as ten percent of incidental light, which in turn dims the image. With the Super Spectra coating by Canon this type of reflection is prevented.
If you want a pair of binoculars with similar properties but far more convenient to carry around, check our Swarovski EL review.
Birding with your Canon
As a birder, you can bird as long as you can walk or look out a window, for as long or as little as you like. This hobby is not very physically demanding, unless you choose to hide in the woods for a long period of time in order to catch sight of that rare bird.
Start your birding journey by finding a local field guide. Any book will work just as long as it features photos of each bird and the maps of their ranges. Look through this guide at home and become familiar with the local species. Find out where these birds live and in what seasons. You don’t have to worry about memorizing bird names, just focus on figuring out what wildlife is out there.
Additional Gear
Aside from your Canon binoculars, a field guide, proper clothing based on weather and drinks and snacks, you really don’t need much equipment, which is one of the best things about birding.
Your first birding experience is very important. If you don’t quite get what you’re supposed to be doing or if you feel overwhelmed, then you may end up giving up on birding without really giving it a chance. So make a plan and keep it simple. Choose a few birds and go find them. Use your field guide and pick a bird you have never seen before. Make it a bird that you’re reasonably sure lives in the area during that time of year.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Great zooming capabilities
- Suitable for a wide range of activities
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Ultra-low dispersion objective
- Excellent clarity and contrast
- Can be used with a tripod
Cons
- One consumer noted that they left these binoculars outside overnight and the next day they had a build-up of condensation on the lenses.
- Canon customer service can use an improvement
- Isn’t ideal to wear around the neck
- Not the lightest binoculars
Conclusion and Rating
Birding Rocks Rating:
Consumers gave this model a rating of four out of five stars for ease of use, the image stabilization feature and image clarity. With a durable build, these binoculars are perfect for most outdoor activities and are comfortable to use even for birders who wear glasses, thanks to the ultra-comfort eyepieces. Consumers who purchased these binoculars stated they would highly recommend them to family and friends, stating they’re the perfect pair for spotting shorebirds out on the water. They’re the perfect choice for the seasoned birder or the newbie and they can definitely take your viewing experience to the next level. We gave this canon model four out of five stars rating.
