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The much-anticipated 10x42 L IS WP is the first waterproof binocular to incorporate Canon's exclusive Image Stabilizer technology for steady, shake-free viewing. The high quality L series optics, featuring 2 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements (on each side), deliver excellent correction for chromatic aberration. With a large lens diameter and a 4.2mm exit pupil diameter, this binocular provides an exceptionally bright view, even in low-light conditions. The 10x42 L IS WP binocular offers both the desired brightness and excellent waterproof capabilities, making it ideal for a host of activities including marine use, stargazing and wildlife observation - just to name a few.
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Technical Details
- Canon's first waterproof IS Binocular.- High performance L Lens with 2 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements on each side.
- Doublet Field Flattener Lenses for sharp, distortion-free images edge-to-edge.
- Bright field-of-view from a 4.2mm exit pupil diameter, the largest of any Canon IS Binocular.
- Wide angle rating from an apparent angle-of-view of 65°.
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By 5D camera Man
This is excelent product, but it seems Profecional level item or luxery level, so it is kind of pricy for regular family usage - anyway I like it, but it is too expensive for me Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars
By David A. Bell (Vacaville, CA)
Most of the reviews I see for IS binoculars are by and for plane spotters and other non-birders, so I wanted to add the wildlife viewing perspective to the mix.
I have owned 2 different pairs of the 12x Cannon IS Binoculars, one pair of the 15x Cannon IS binos and I have tested the 10x42 L series (high-end, geared towards birders). I will cross-post these comments for all three. For any of you birders out there trying to decide which is the right choice for you, here are my observations.
First, general comments that apply to all three:
1) Image stabilization is great! There is nothing not to love about it. Why all birders on earth don't use these things is a mystery to me. For the money, I would prefer to spend an extra $200 on image stabilization vs spending an extra $1000 for a comparable improvement in optics quality.
2) These binoculars are heavy and bulky. The grip, the feel and the ease of use are different than those of "normal" high-end binoculars. The human factors of the engineering range from acceptable (12x) to incomprehensibly bad (10x). I suspect that experienced birders may pick them up for the first time and not like them because they "don't feel right." Here's my thought: it is worth the 1-2 hours it takes to get used to them, because it will change the way you bird. For example: YOU DO NOT NEED TO CARRY A SCOPE in many circumstances, which is huge. They may be slightly heavy for binos, but they are much lighter than binos plus a scope and tripod!
3) it is easy to underestimate the benefit and power of IS until you have used it for a while in the field. For example, when you are looking for a bird that is mostly hidden in leaves, and occassionally pops into view, these guys are great. The slight vibration in your hand means that you need to see an image longer for the brain to decipher the image. When it is stabilized, you can see it in a flash. You will be able to scan a flock of shorebirds at distance in a fraction of the time it takes someone with a scope. You can see details on a bird moving 100ft above in the canopy that are utterly impossible with normal binoculars.
4) THink of them as ELECTRONICS, not optics. These will not be passed on to your grandchildren. They will last 3-5 years depending on how hard you use them. Don't bother trying to get them fixed because it is uneconomical outside of the warranty period. Don't buy them if you are uncomfortable with the cost because you may need to replace them in the not-to-distant future. That said, reliability has been okay for mine. I have dropped them, gotten them throughly wet for hours, taken them to high altitudes, and exposed them to a wide range of temperatures without any issues. One 12x pair developed a rattle and subsequently a hiccup in the IS. When I openned them up (not recommended) I found that a couple of screws fell out. I don't know where the screws came from and don't really care because now they work fine again.
Here is a comparison of the various models:
12x: the normal "rule of thumb" for birders with conventional binoculars is that 8-10x is about right in terms of image stability, weight, field of view and magnification. With IS binoculars, the equation is a little different. You can have image stability at any magnification, so it comes down to weight, field of view and magnification. For me, the winner is the 12x. You will have a little extra trouble finding a fast-moving bird, especially at close range due to the smaller field of view vs typical 10x. However, it is strong enough to allow me to leave my scope at home for most purposes -- it is equivalent to about a 15-18x conventional scope. The eyepieces are comfortable and the field of view is acceptable. My primary compaint is that the close limit of focus is too far for comfortable use in close quarters like dense rainforest. These binos seem rugged and reliable.
15x: optimal for pelagic birding, gulls and shorebirding, but the field of view and range of focus don't work well for normal birding. On a boat, nobody else will be able to see the stuff you see, period. It is like having a scope when everyone else is using 8x bins. In these circumstances the relatively limited field of view is not an issue and the extra magnification is great. These are much larger and heavier than the 12x and you wouldn't want to carry these on a 10 mile hike (although it would beat hiking 10 miles with a scope!). My main complaint -- and it is a big one -- is that the eyepieces are attrociously uncomfortable for my eyes. Presumably they must be comfortable for someone, like the engineer who designed them, but not for me. I had to replace them with eyepieces of my own because they are intollerable.
10x: These are fantastic. Pros: smaller, lighter than the 12x. Wider field of view and better close focus. Cons: 1) very expensive; 2) eyepieces that are as bad or worse than those on the 15x, which is why I don't own a pair. I think perhaps Cannon made these because they found in their market surveys that birders want 10x binos. I suspect they haven't sold many at the $1,100 price point given the Human factors issues. I personally would advise birds to not buy these unless they are willing to replace the eyepieces -- and better yet just get the 12x. Hopefully the next version will address these issues, because the IS technology and the optics are great.
By Massachusetts Birder (Massachusetts, USA)
I use the 10X42 IS for birding, which takes me along the seashore, on boats, in woods, farm fields, etc., which are often windy, wet, or dusty. For birding, the image quality of these binocs is truly excellent and the IS is extremely helpful to me. I want to keep the lens caps on while walking in order to protect the lens, but the friction caps on the objectives fall off at the slightest touch or jiggle. These caps are connected to the body of the binocs by a string, so I haven't lost the caps. The problem is that the caps keep falling off the lenses. For the purpose of protecting these very expensive lenses, these caps are worse than useless. I have resolved the lens cap problem by buying two B+W 52mm Natural Clear Protective Filters for $50.00 each (I know UV filters can be bought for $10, but why put cheap, light-reducing and distorting glass in front of my Canon lenses)and two B+W 52mm snap-on lens caps for $7.00 each. IMHO, the sellers should be advising us customers that the design of the Canon lens caps is defective in regard to the purpose for which they are intended, and that it is advisable to buy protective filters and snap-on caps. Except for the lens cap problem, these binocs would clearly rate 5 stars. But if you have to think carefully, as I did, before spending $1,100 on a pair of binocs, then, IMO, you need to protect the objective lenses with something other than the lens caps provided.
By R. Tripathi (New York)
I used several other binoculars before and after buying this pair. Before buying the 10x42L I had purchased Canon's 18x50 IS but returned them within two days. I also own a Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II and a Celestron 15x70 Skymaster -- both with larger apertures (60 and 70 respectively) but the canon 10x42L somehow gives brighter images (in fairness, after engaging the IS). My 18x50 pair was similarly useful but ended up being too heavy and had a narrower FOV than I would have liked to browse the night sky
Examples for fellow astronomers. The following objects can be seen easily with the 10x42L (all are around magnitude 8.0 and brighter)
Andromeda (anchor): HIP 3155, 3184, 3237, 32AND, HIP 3881, 3840, 3817
My Pentax and Celestron perform equally well on tripods but scanning the sky is more fun with IS.
What I liked:
1. Waterproof design
2. 6.5 degrees field of view
3. Superior workmanship. (I bought and returned the 18x50 from B&H after using it for a day)
4. UD glass
5. Hand holdable even without IS
6. Size and weight compared to 18x50 and 15x50
What I didn't like:
1. IS isn't perfect, small amounts of shakiness trickles through
2. Objective elements are...well, in harm's way. I bought two of Schneider-Kreuznach's clear MRC filters immediately to protect from sea water/rain
3. Eyecap and [lens|objective] cap design can be improved. The booklet instructs you to attach both to the neck strap but the eyecap is so loose that minor movements can make it come off
4. Frequent blackouts even with the large exit pupil, so scanning the skies isn't too easy
5. Grinding feeling when rotating the eyepiece for adjustment.
This is a good general purpose binocular because it seems durable and is waterproof, optics are usable for astronomy.
By James Hayes (Santa Cruz, CA USA)
I'm not one to write shallow "me too" type reviews, but these binoculars are amazing. As an avid photographer with a quiver of Canon professional lenses (ask me about my Canon HJ40x10B!), I was really happy to see them offer such nice glass with an integrated "image shift" stabilizer.
When I use them, my eyes relax-- which speaks volumes on how well the optics are matched to each side. They have an excellent field-of-view, which accompanies a very low "transmission loss" through the optics. Bright on the outside is bright on the inside.
I look for excuses to use them all the time. :-)
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Buy Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars Now
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