Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon 18x50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

First, I couldn't decide between Fujinon and Canon and then I was never able to take them outside and try them out and/or compare them. So, I finally just bought a pair of Canon 18x50s and hoped for the best when they arrived and I looked thru and pushed the IS button.
Boy, what a waste of several years. Why didn't I buy a pair when they first came out? I could have been using them all this time. Instead, I dithered over cost vs. results and really regret the fun I missed in the meanwhile.
The only difference in these versus regular binocs is one button. When you push it, there's a little click and from then on, WOW. After investing plenty in telescopes, computer tracking mounts, etc., these should have been a much higher priority. Oh yeah, they're light enough to take anywhere and the viewing fatigue is really that much less than with others (especially since my hands are really pretty shaky anyway and I drink plenty of coffee).

A few additional points after using the Canon 18x50 image stabilisers on an extended holiday ... frankly, nothing beats these binoculars for bird watching or while using binoculars from a moving platform. I watched sea eagles in flight off the Norwegan coast with a clarity of vision that made it feel like I was flying in formation with them. But be warned ... carry a large stock of batteries. The Canon stabilisation system will chew through a pair of batteries in a day's steady use. Of course the binoculars still functions without image stabilisation, but once you have used the I.S. anything else seems vastly inferior. As my earlier review noted the Zeiss image stabilisation system does not use batteries, but the 3000 pound sterling cost is still prohibitive.

This is one of those purchases my family and I will enjoy for years. You can see the moons of Jupiter with these. You can enjoy a football game in a whole new way (Redskin, Army and Ohio State fans like me may want to wait a year!!). Great for bird watching or any trip into nature because you can see so many things wihout disturbing them - and they are exceptionally durable and weather-proof. I can't wait to get them to Jackson Hole to see the stars and planets away from city lights, plus elk and moose and the Tetons. To know why image stabilization is important with high power bino's, all you have to do is push the conveniant little button and it makes all the difference.

I have been an avid birder watcher for several decades. I've owned most of the top-of -the-line European binoculars (Zeiss, Leica, etc.) over the years. I purchased the Canon 12x36 IS binocs over 2 1/2 years ago and I love them. However, thinking that more magnification would be better, I ordered the 18x50 IS pair a year later. I have since sold them and use mostly the Canon 12 power. Here are a few reasons why they were not right for me:

* Bigger is not always better. The extra weight and size caused me to leave them in the closet and take the 12x36s, one of my other pair, or worst, no binoculars at all. Even the best optics are no good if you don't have them with you when you need them.

* Smaller field of view. It takes some practice seeing a bird with your naked eyes and then swinging the binoculars up smoothly so that you keep the bird (or any other small subject) in line with your vision. As experienced as I am at this I found it harder to accomplish with the narrow view of these powerful optics. Sometimes all you get is a few seconds to spot and identify a rare bird. Quicker is better.

* Shallower depth of field. With greater magnification the accuracy of your focusing becomes more critical due to a reduced range of focus. With distant objects I found myself fiddling with focus knob more than I would like to.

* Less than the best optical performance. Don't get me wrong, these are very sharp, high quality glasses, just not the best. When viewing objects against the sun you can get a color flare, or ghost image (chromatic aberration). Only the highest quality optical designs get close to completely eliminating this problem. When you are trying to tell one bird from another closely related species, color is often all than you have to go by.

I am still a big fan of the Image Stabilization technology and I still use my 12x36 IS binoculars daily, however, the idea that more magnification is always better, especially for birding, is misleading. I am planning to buy the Canon 10x42 L series binos. In the past this magnification has been my favorite and the added benefit of IS will make it an even better choice. The biggest reason for this decision is the superiority of the L class optics. I own several L lenses for my Canon digital SLRs and they are superb.

If you don't mind the size and weight, or you really need the extra power (like for astronomical observation) these are great binoculars to add to your collection. If you looking one pair to use on a regular basis and you want the best optical quality combined with image stabilization, I would go with the 10x42 IS L glasses and save yourself the time and expense of buying the wrong pair. But that's just my opinion. If you can, take a look at both of them in person before you buy one.

Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars

This is only the second pair of binoculars I've owned but I've used many pairs before from low end to relatively high end ones like Nikons and Leicas. I can say without hesitation that the Canon 18X50s have met all my expectations for clarity, build quality, and ease of use. They are still quite heavy so, you won't be holding them too long in one position but, the stabilization feature provides a stable, gitter free image. In my opinion, this feature makes up for optics that may not be in the same league with the high end stuff: the Canon 18X50s have more usable magnification for the money for non-tripod, hand held applications.

While this is not a scientific comparison, this is an example of the useability and magnification: I was at the beach looking at a parasailer in the distance - with the naked eye (20/20 for the record), I could see the chute pattern and a black speck below it; with my old Minolta 10X50s (jittering in my hands)I could make out shapes of heads and legs; with the Canon 18X50s, I could clearly see two people, a man and a child as well as the chute's cords - pretty impressive.

My only two gripes that have also been mentioned before are: no lense caps and the eye cups are stiff, fit poorly (to my face any way) and are uncomfortable. I find it better to fold the cups back for "eye glass" use even though I don't wear glasses. Other than that, I am very pleased with this purchase and would also highly recommend purchasing from Adorama Camera - they are quick, accommodating and responsive.