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Find the Best Birdwatching Binoculars

Choosing the best birdwatching binoculars ...

Bird watching is a great past-time, and your pair of binoculars is going to be your main tool. Not all binoculars are suitable for birdwatching, however.

So, on this page, we'll look at a few points you should consider when buying bird binoculars ... followed by examples of birding binoculars in every price range, that have received excellent reviews.

Basically, you should be looking for:

• a wide field of view to locate and follow the bird
• a bright, sharp image
• quick focus
• a pair that's not too heavy

Best Birdwatching Binoculars - Magnification

The first of the two numbers used to describe binoculars(eg 8x42,10x50) is the one which relates to magnification.

For example, if the first number is 8, your objective will appear eight times closer.

Most birders consider a magnification of 7 or 8 ideal for birding binoculars... possibly 10.

Why no higher?...

Because a higher magnification gives a smaller field of view and a dimmer image.

Also, a higher power would magnify your hand movement, and this would cause a shaky image.

So, on average, you'll find a magnification of 8 the most popular choice for bird watching binoculars.

Best Birdwatching Binoculars -
Objective Lens

The second of the two numbers describing binoculars relates to the size of the objective lens - in other words, the front lens.

This is important for birding because the wider the lens, the more light will enter, making your image brighter.

However, too high an objective lens results in heavy binoculars - definitely not a plus for bird binoculars

Depending on the optics quality of your binoculars, you should plump for a lens size of around 30-50 mm.

Top choices for lens size in birding binoculars are 40 and 42, with 8x40 and 8x42 being the most popular.

But you'll also find several smaller binoculars on the market, such as an 8x32, with excellent optics, that offer a good field of view and bright image.

Best Birdwatching Binoculars - Price

How much should you pay for your bird watching binoculars?

Obviously, as much as you can afford.

But you'll discover sound birding binoculars in all price classes.

Check out the list of binoculars below ... they've all received excellent reviews for birding, and are divided into price range ...

• Nikon Action EX 7x35
• Eagle Optics Denali 7x32
• Bushnell Nature View 10x42

• Leupold Wind River Katmai 6x32
• Nikon Monarch 8x42
• Leupold Wind River Pinnacle8x42
• Celestron Noble 8x42

• Nikon Premier LX 8x32
• Pentax DCF SP 8x43

• Zeiss FLT* 8x42
• Swarovski EL WB 8x32
• Leica Ultravid BR 7x42
• Leica Trinovid BN 8x32

Perhaps you also wish to document and photograph the beautiful birds you see?

If this is the case, you should check out the extremely affordable Bushnell Instant Replay 8x30 5MP digital camera binoculars.

You'll also find Bushnell 7x35 PermaFocus Focus-Free Wide-Angle Binoculars highly suitable for birding ... and remarkably cheap.

Best Birdwatching Binoculars -
What To Avoid

Is there anything you should avoid when choosing your birding binoculars?

The answer to that is "Yes"...

First of all, 'though it's tempting to buy Compact Binoculars, due to their light weight, they're not ideal for birding.

Their image quality tends to be inferior, and their field of view rather narrow for following birds.

If you must buy them, use them as your secondary pair.

Also, seasoned birders declare zoom binoculars to be unsuitable for birding.