Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

Canon's 12x36 IS II Binoculars are well worth the investment. After lugging around an old 12x50 non-IS for 20 years, the Canon is lighter, brighter, better balanced and better contoured. The IS is impressive to say the least, and so easy a caveman could do it! Lots of Pros for this one. The only Con are the lens dust caps, or more accurately the eyepiece dust caps. We managed to lose one of them in the first half hour on the trail. They don't grip real well. Now when we use the binocs we carry them in their soft case at all times, leaving the caps behind in the truck so they don't get lost. Best binocs I've ever had, and I've had quite a few over the years. Can't go wrong with this one.

We purchased a smaller version last year, and they were great. I got these for my husband, after buying a telescope that he finds cumbersom. We have a Canon camera with stabilized lens also, and could not take the pictures we have without the stabilizer on the longer lens.
These are fantastic! The strength is such that we could see the mountains on the edge of a full moon. The stabilization makes them incredibly versatile. They are much easier to use and more portable than our telescope, so they will be used much more. We go exploring in the southwest deserts, and these are great for viewing petroglyph sites. So far, I have had no problems whatsoever with them. The only problem is that my husband now wants the biggest strongest version. I may have to do that, but that just means I will get to keep these for myself. Fine with me!

I have a full view of a boating and shipping lane area from my office, and these glasses have redefined the way I view various boating and fishing activities. Most attractions start at approximately 500' and extend to infinity. I can discern the type of vessel and activity up to an estimated 8 to 10 miles. The "IS" function is a definite must in this environment.

I can recommend these binoculars without reservation.

I have used a pair of Cannon 15x50 IS binoculars for about 2-3 years in my job doing environmental field work. Most of the work is performed surveying lake and river shorelines from a 14ft boat with an outboard motor running. We are on the road for about a month and a half during the summer with less intense work in the fall and spring. I have logged hundreds of hours per year with the 15x50 to my eyes. Although they don't smooth out the large jolts of one foot waves or larger at 15-25 mph, it does take out the constant vibration and shake produced from the outboard in the small boat.

We have just purchased the 12x36 IS II for a co-worker as he does more work on land than I and he needed something more portable. He loaned them to me to try out, and they are quite fine . . . much lighter and easier to carry around. The stabilization is as good as the 15x50s. Just hold down the button and the image "floats" rather than shakes all over the place. I haven't tried them long enough to check out the battery life. The specs say they will last twice as long (4 hours) as the 15x50s (2 hours). I go through about two or three sets of batteries per day with the 15x50s so their estimates are probably close as I probably have them engaged 6-8 hours per day. I highly recommend using Eneloop rechargable batteries, and have a set or two charged up for spares if you use the stabilization feature a lot.

The one thing about the 15x50s that is much better is the ability to "lock" the stabilization for 5 minutes (automatically disengages after that time) with a single click of the button (or you can click and hold like the 12x32s). Sometimes in a rough environment, it's tough to keep your finger on the button all the time. With the 12x32s, you must constantly hold the button down when you want stabilization engaged. It's not the most terrible thing in the world, but just not as convenient.

Biggest complaint . . . . where are the lens caps? Even my cheap pair that I use in my kayak have lens caps! But the 15x50s don't come with objective lens caps either. What gives? I am as careful with these as possible, but they are subject to some unforgiving condiions (still haven't dropped them, yet). Lots of rain and rough water but still no problems with the 15x50s. I wouldn't expect less from the 12x32s although they aren't officially rated "All Weather" as are the 15x50s.

Another thing that I noticed is that they don't have a tripod mount. It would stand to reason that you wouldn't need one if you have the stabilization feature, but I could imagine that there would be times where a bird watcher might be set up where a tripod would be adventageous. In my line of work, it doesn't make sense, but it is worth mentioning. The 15x50s are threaded for a mount.

An additional note . . . . a few years ago, I was using my 9x35 Leupolds and saw a plant that I needed to identify on the other side of a shallow weed infested stump field. The plant turned out not to be what I was trying to find, but I still had to shut off the engine, and push and pole the boat through some nasty stuff in hot weather before I could get close enough to make a positive ID. After I got the 15x50s, I was able to view the same plant from open water while my assistant kept driving the boat. I could easily ID the plant without breaking stride. No need to stop or get close. The difference was amazing.

In summary, both the 12x36 and the 15x50 are worth the money in my book, and, if I didn't have the money, I would save my pennies or sell something to get it.

These things are simply amazing. Things are bright and sharp without stabilization, but turn it on and over about a second or two it settles in and... wow!. You can read small type on a distant sign that you just would not have been able to make out otherwise. It would have been sharp, but too shaky to read. Details on wildlife are totally distinct, it's almost like the binocs are on a tripod. It really is astounding, everyone that tries them is knocked out.

A couple other points: The brightness is completely fine in my book - I have had absolutely no issues in that regard, even at night. The eye relief is sufficient for wearing glasses, but I've never found binocs that really work for me with glasses on - I think I just prefer having my eyes right in the eyepiece. Also, the rubber eyecups need to be flipped/forced back to really work with glasses which isn't very convenient, and I feel they would eventually suffer from the wear. The eyecups on the Nikon, for example, twist into different depths which is a better way of adjusting. The overall size is pretty good, definitely not as small as a good standard pair, but not giant or cumbersome at all either.

I think this model is a great middle ground. Lots of power at 12x, good brightness, medium sized, and that amazing stabilization. I'd definitely buy them again.

Oh one thing I would add, these only focus down to about 19', so consider if that is an issue for you...