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

Buy these if you are into bird watching (any type) live sports, or just want to hear you friends say "WOW!" when you turn the image stabilizer on when they are looking through these binoculars.
Worth every penny!!

These are great ! I keep mine on my boat, and they are absolutely indispensable. Even on a steady surface the stabilization is necessary due to the high magnification. I keep the rubber lens cups turned back, I find the field of vision is unrestricted this way. I think these are the best binoculars available, a superb product, one of life's must haves !!

I really like these binoculars. Please read the other reviews to gain knowledge on the product's high points. Also note, I have not found any of the low points mentioned to be present or affect my viewing in any way.

The problem with high power binoculars is that humans can't hold them steady, and that jitter makes it impossible to really look at something without a tripod. The image stabilization in this pair solves that problem and holds things rock steady. This is an expensive product that clearly distingues itself, and one of those products that technology makes seem a little magic.

I have only two small complaints: First, for a product this expensive they should pre-install the neck strap for you -- not a big deal, but it would be nice for the customer. Second, I wish the lens cap covers were higher quality and attachable to the unit so they wouldn't get lost. Again, not a big deal.

These are without a doubt the best binoculars I've ever used.

Update: I own them now! Bought the filter covers for the main lenses too and the lens caps. As some reviewers have noted these binos weigh a bit more than other binos due to the IS. Not too burdensome for a decent hike if you carry it postman-style over your neck and under an armpit and can still bring it around quick enough. All things considered though I wonder if a spotting scope and a light monopod might not be a better choice for weight and magnification. Perhaps for some, so far I'm sticking with this (and it's paid for).

Original: First, I don't own these binoculars (yet), due to the cost and weight (they're over 3 pounds), but I've started saving my shekels based on the Bezos review and the Canon name. Also, please note that these binoculars are 18x (not 50x as another reviewer suggests). For bird-watchers it's worth mentioning that one should keep in mind the difficulty that many have in finding a bird through higher power binoculars after spotting the bird with one's eyes. I have a pair of 12x50 Pentax binoculars that I like a great deal and have had only minimal trouble finding birds that I've spotted. Others, however, don't have the same good fortune and so they prefer lower-power binoculars. The Audobon Society (the last time I checked) recommends 7x35 binoculars, but the average age of their membership is somewhere north of 50, so most likely their reviewers are unable to hold steady the higher power binoculars (however, even our nation's elderly should do fine with these as they have image stabilization). I'm curious to know how bright the image is (as I've read somewhere that 12x50 represented the best compromise between magnification and image brightness). From the other reviews it certainly sounds like that's not a problem.