Best Canon Binoculars: Reviews of Marine, Astronomy & Compact Binocs
Find the best Canon binoculars! Reviews of Canon waterproof binoculars, astronomy & compact binoculars with expert comparisons to Olympus, Leica & more!
Canon sports optics are made by the leading manufacturer of office, photographic, and imaging products in the world.
Canon, which began its operations in 1937, is a household name when it comes to cameras, printers, and copy machines. Since they opened their doors, they have been at the top of the industry, creating some of the most advanced and eco-friendly equipment in the market.
They have won numerous awards for being both on the cutting edge of technology and for crafting products that leave as small a carbon footprint as possible.
Like Nikon and Olympus binoculars, Canon is a company that is not necessarily known for making binoculars. And also like them, their binoculars are among the best out there.
Luckily for us binoc enthusiasts, the combination of high-end research and development with a superior understanding of optical equipment has allowed Canon to excel in this area.
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Best Canon Binoculars: Reviews of Their Collection
Canon doesn’t offer a wide variety of binoculars. In fact, they have less than a dozen available, and most of those fall into a very specific category: image stabilization.
For the sake of getting to know this company and all it has available, we’ll take a brief overview of what their products offer:
Image Stabilization
From compact to full-size, portable to high-powered, the models in the Image Stabilization line—or IS—are able to give you the crispest, cleanest images out there.
Their advanced gyro system allows for a steady image no matter how much vibration you’re experiencing. Since Canon cameras are installed with the best IS technology, you know Canon IS binoculars are the best in the field.
Waterproof
There’s also a small lineup of Canon waterproof binoculars available. These are rugged, nitrogen-filled binocs that are great for any activity when getting wet may be a possibility. Canon offers 7×42 and 8×32 waterproof binoculars.
Other
Canon compact binoculars are also available for those in need of lightweight sports optics. There’s an ultra compact model with a magnification of 7x and an objective lens diameter of a mere 17mm for the best in lightweight portability.
Canon Binoculars Review: Focus on Image Stabilization
Since the bulk of Canon binoculars fall into the Image Stabilization series, let’s take a closer look at what makes them so great.
There are seven models available in this line, including:
Typically, when a manufacturer offers an image stabilized binocular product, the objective lens is so large that the devices are almost too heavy to use for an extended length of time.
But Canon, using their vast reach within the fields of research and development, has produced two models that are highly portable—the 8×25 IS and the 10×30 IS—as well as a moderately weighted device in the 10×42 IS
The others are definitely larger and much harder to lug around. The variety in magnification and objective lens diameter is truly astounding in such a limited, specialized series as the Canon IS.
That’s all well and good, you say, but what the heck is magnification and objective lens diameter anyway, and why is it important?
The magnification is signified by the number to the left of the X in the model’s name—for example, 8×25 has a magnification of 8x. This means that the device is able to magnify what you see to eight times the original size. Within the Image Stabilization series, you have several options when it comes to magnification.
The objective lens diameter is very important as it determines the activities you can comfortably (and effectively) use your binocular for. A small lens is certainly easier to carry, but a larger one lets in more light, allowing you to see better in darker environments.
The measurement is taken in millimeters and is displayed in the number to the right of the X—for example, that 8×25 model has an objective lens diameter of 25mm.
What else, besides variety, makes these models worth your time? All of them are water-resistant, and a couple of them are fully waterproof. This means that you can take these devices outdoors without worrying about damage from the rain.
All the lenses are multi-coated, feature phase correction, and the option for ultra-low dispersion.
Some of the larger models can also be categorized as Canon astronomy binoculars, offering you some rare glimpses of the stars in the night sky.
On the negative side, it can be difficult at times to find a precise focus—the threads are too big for minute adjustments. The batteries have also been known to wear down rather quickly.
Canon Binoculars: The Details
For an idea of the technical range of these Canon binoculars, here’s a look at what options are available in terms of magnifications, Fields of View, and objective lens diameters.
Magnification
Even though the selection of binocular models from Canon is so small, the range of magnification remains fairly wide. At the low end of the spectrum, you can find a pair with 7x—as in the 7×42 A Waterproof binocular.
At the high end, you can find a model with 18x magnification—like the Canon 18×50 IS. In between those extremes, you’ll find models with magnifications of 8x, 10x, 12x, and 15x.
Field of View
For Canon binoculars, the Field of View—or FOV—selection is fairly minimal because most of the models have similar high magnifications.
The FOV is the extent of how much you can see through your device. It’s measured in feet, usually, from 1,000 yards away. Canon’s narrowest FOV is 194 feet with the Image Stabilized 18×50 IS, while the widest is 395 feet with the Waterproof 8×32 model.
Objective Lens
With less than a dozen models to choose from, the range of objective lens diameters is pretty astounding.
Canon has everything from 17mm to 50mm. The smallest can be found on the 7×17 while the largest is available in a couple of different Image Stabilized models, like the 15×50 IS and the 18×50 IS.
The smallest objective lens you’ll find in the Image Stabilization series is 25mm, which is found in the Canon 8×25 IS
Canon Binoculars: Consumer Information
How much money do these devices cost? What kinds of protection plans does Canon offer? These are important questions to ask before you jump into a purchase. Here are some of the answers:
Price Range
The price range for Canon binoculars is actually quite similar to other popular name brands like Leica and Nikon.
When you have a household name, you want to make sure your price range bridges the gap between very affordable and fairly expensive, so that your high prices tend to look a little more attractive. At the low end, you can find Canon binocs for less than $150, while the most expensive hovers just under $3,000.
Warranty Info
The Image Stabilization series carries with it a limited warranty of three years to cover damage done on the factory floor or shoddy workmanship. The other binoculars are covered for the same thing for 25 years.
All in all, Canon offers one of the worst warranties in the binocular business. If you’re prone to clumsy mistakes, steer clear of Canon sports optics.
Canon Binoculars: Customer Reviews
Forget our review for a moment. It’s time to take a look at what actual consumers have had to say about the performance of Canon binoculars.
The pros and cons mentioned here come from people just like you who want the same things from their sports optics.
Consumers like:
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Consumers don’t like:
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Additional Canon Binocular Reviews & Ratings
Canon Binoculars IS 10×30: Reviews of Canon IS 10×30 Binoculars
Canon Binoculars IS 10×30 gives an image stabilized view so you never miss the action from hand shake. Learn more with our review of Canon IS 10×30 binoculars
Best Canon IS Binoculars: Reviews of Canon Image Stabilized Binoculars
The best Canon IS binoculars are ideal for astronomy or shaky hands. Our experts provide detailed reviews of Canon Image Stabilized binoculars for your research
Don’t think Canon’s the right manufacturer for you? Check out our other Binocular Reviews to learn about other companies.
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