Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon 8x25 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case and Neck Strap

It is funny to see one reviewer compare it to the 8X32 Leica. because I am about to do the same thing. I just happen to own a Leica 8X32 also. Actually I agree 100% with the comparison from other reviewer. The IS function works so well that the Canon 8X25 IS and Leica 8X32 are comparable on hand held application, except the Canon is slightly dimmer than the Leica. There is no doubt that Leica will beat the Canon on a tripod, due to the better optic of the Leica.. For 5X the price it should. Also for 5X the price it also buy you the water proof and rubber armor. The Leica is more than twice as heavy as the Canon. You might call that Canon has the upper hand on Leica.
As for reliability, that is a different story. My Leica 8X32 has served me more than 15 years and still good as new. The IS function of the Canon 8X25 ISfailed after 15 months. Fortunately for the reason we can guest, this is the only product that Canon carries a 3 year warranty ( even the DSLRs from Canon carries only 1 year warranty). However it take at least 4 phone calls from me and from Canon USA to convince the repair department to fix it under warranty instead of charging me $450 to fix a $175 binocular.
A friendly advice: make sure that it comes with a 3 year warranty before you buy it. Or you can pay extra to buy the extended warranty.

Image stabilization (IS) is well worth the modest incremental cost and bulk of binocs w/o IS. You can see detail better and not get headaches from jitter. Almost as good as putting non-IS binocs on a tripod. I'd give it 5 stars if I didn't have to constantly hold down the image stabilization button. I'm sure Canon did that to prevent running down the batteries. However, it would have been nice to push once and have IS stay on for 30 seconds or so.

Compact and lightweigh IS binocular that delivers sharp clear images. Although not waterproof and of plactic construction, it stands well to harsh environments. Uses expensive and not easily available battery with mediocre life span.

Once you use the Image Stablization option nothing else will do for you! 8 x 25 is plenty compared to the 9 x 25 models.

I've returned from a River Barge Excursion (8 days on the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers), and I used my Canon IS binoculars ALL the time. I purchased additional 123 Photo batteries, anticipating I would 'use up' the original battery from constant use, but so far haven't made a battery change.

I did manage to lose one of the eyepiece caps, and I plan to contact Canon to see if I can purchase a set of replacement caps. I also have / use a Canon Powershot S5 IS digital camera, and the lens cap is tethered to the neckstrap, which is a very convenient place to 'put' the lens cap while using the camera. I would like to see Canon design a similar 'tethering' for their binocular eyepiece caps.