For nature and bird watching we recommend binoculars with at least a 30-50 mm front lens diameter. The magnification should be between 7 and 12 times. Any more than this makes no sense without a tripod. At lower magnification levels, you cannot see the plumage details that may be important for identification.
The use of special types of glass or lens structures reduces colour fringing and also makes it easier to recognize the object being observed. For detailed observing over longer distances, we recommend the additional use of a spotting scope.
Here you can find out which criteria we use to evaluate binoculars for nature or bird watching ...
Omegon
Orange 8x42 monocular
$ 69.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 10X32 BURNT ORANGE-BLACK
$ 2,760.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 8X32 GREEN-BLACK
$ 2,690.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 8x42
Sale price:
$ 119.00
$ 89.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Bushnell
Binoculars Legacy 10x50
( 5 / 5 )
RRP:
$ 189.00
Our price:
RRP:
$ 189.00
$ 171.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Swarovski
EL 10x42 WB 3rd generation binoculars
$ 2,240.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 10x42
$ 169.00
Product can be shipped as of 01.07.2024
Noblex
Binoculars Vector 8x42
$ 422.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Noblex
Binoculars Vector 10x42
$ 455.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 8x42
Sale price:
$ 169.00
$ 139.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 10x34
( 4 / 5 )
$ 139.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 8x34
Sale price:
$ 139.00
$ 109.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 8x32 DCF
$ 205.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 10x42
$ 109.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK Light II 8x30 BCF Porro
$ 205.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Bresser
Binoculars Spezial Jagd 11x56
$ 206.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 8x42
$ 109.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 10x42
$ 219.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars ARTES J 10x42 DCF
$ 550.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars ARTES J 8x42 DCF
$ 540.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 10x42 DCF
$ 292.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 10x50
$ 149.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 12x50
$ 149.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 8x56 HD
$ 349.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars 12x30 Atera II
$ 880.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Binoculars Ascot 8x32 ZWCF
$ 205.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Minox
Binoculars X-HD 8x56
Our price:
RRP:
$ 1,090.00
$ 980.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Vixen
Binoculars BT-81S-A
$ 1,410.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x34 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 140.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x34 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 140.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x42 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 173.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x32 Lightwing-HR
$ 223.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x42 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 173.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x50 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 201.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Discovery
Monocular Gator 10x42
$ 31.90
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Discovery
Monocular Gator 8x42
$ 29.90
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Monocular 8x42 Atom
$ 24.90
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PLUS 8x42
$ 141.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 10x25
$ 120.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 10x32
$ 158.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage DX 10x42
Our price:
RRP:
$ 336.00
$ 302.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PRO 8x42
$ 223.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PLUS 7x50
$ 136.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 8x25
$ 114.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Monaco ED 10x42
$ 380.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PRO 10x50
$ 239.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 16x42
$ 196.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 10x50
$ 201.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 12x50
$ 212.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Monocular Nelson 8x42
$ 98.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Monocular Wise PLUS 8x42
$ 71.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Nelson 8x30
$ 141.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PRO 10x42
$ 234.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Sherman PRO 12x50
$ 250.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 8x32
$ 147.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 8x42
$ 179.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PRO 10x42
$ 185.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Vegas ED 10x42
$ 326.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma Base 8x42
$ 87.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma Base 10x42
$ 98.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PLUS 8x42
$ 109.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Monocular Wise 8x42
$ 52.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Monocular Wise PLUS 8x32
$ 69.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Monocular Nelson 7x35
$ 82.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Levenhuk
Binoculars Nelson 7x50
$ 185.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Levenhuk
Binoculars Karma PLUS 10x32
$ 95.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars 10x42 Skyline
$ 110.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x32 WP6 Mistral
$ 152.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars 8x42 Skyline
$ 110.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage DX 12x50
Our price:
RRP:
$ 390.00
$ 351.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Prime 8x32
$ 184.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage EDX 10x42
$ 570.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage EDX 8x42
$ 550.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Forge Terrain 8x42
$ 700.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars Sahara 10x50 FMC
$ 159.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage EDX 12x50
$ 610.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage EDX 10x50
$ 590.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Noblex
Binoculars Vector 8x56
$ 510.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars Sierra 10x32
$ 150.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars Sierra 12x50
$ 184.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x50 ED WP6 Mistral
$ 263.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x50 WP6 Mistral
$ 185.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x32 WP6 Mistral
$ 157.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x42 WP6 Mistral
$ 171.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x42 ED WP6 Mistral
$ 236.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x42 WP6 Mistral
$ 177.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x42 ED WP6 Mistral
$ 242.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Celestron
Binoculars Trailseeker ED 8x32
$ 455.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars Trailseeker ED 10x32
$ 466.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Bushnell
Binoculars Prime 8x42
$ 216.00
ready for shipping in 3-5
weeks
Pentax
Binoculars ZD 10x43 WP
$ 980.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars Savannah 10x56 ED
$ 372.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Eschenbach
Sektor D Compact+ 10x32 B binoculars
Our price:
RRP:
$ 390.00
$ 351.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
DDoptics
Binoculars Ultralight 12x50
$ 271.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Eschenbach
Binoculars Regatta 8x42 B
Our price:
RRP:
$ 720.00
$ 650.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Barr and Stroud
Binoculars Savannah 12x56 ED
$ 372.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Eschenbach
Binoculars Trophy P 8x42
Our price:
RRP:
$ 336.00
$ 302.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Eschenbach
Sektor D Compact+ 8x32 B binoculars
Our price:
RRP:
$ 379.00
$ 341.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Eschenbach
Binoculars Trophy D 10x32 ED
Our price:
RRP:
$ 640.00
$ 580.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
DDoptics
Binoculars Ultralight 10x50
$ 268.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Eschenbach
Binoculars Trophy D 8x32 ED
Our price:
RRP:
$ 630.00
$ 570.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Celestron
Binoculars Regal ED 8X42
$ 550.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars Regal ED 10X42
$ 560.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Eschenbach
Binoculars Trophy D 8x56 ED
Our price:
RRP:
$ 840.00
$ 760.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
DDoptics
Binoculars Kolibri 8x33 Gen. 3 green
Our price:
RRP:
$ 288.00
$ 235.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars UpClose G2 7x35 Porro
$ 54.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Pentax
Binoculars SP 8x40 WP
$ 271.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Pentax
Binoculars SP 12x50
$ 184.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 8X32 BURNT ORANGE-BLACK
$ 2,690.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 10X32 GREEN-BLACK
$ 2,760.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
DDoptics
Binoculars Kolibri 10x33 Gen. 3 green
Our price:
RRP:
$ 290.00
$ 238.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
DDoptics
Binoculars Kolibri 8x42 Gen. 3 green
Our price:
RRP:
$ 355.00
$ 319.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Pentax
Binoculars AD 8x36 WP
$ 271.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Pentax
Binoculars ZD 8x43 ED
$ 1,090.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Kowa
Binoculars BD 10x56 XD Prominar
Our price:
RRP:
$ 720.00
$ 650.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Pentax
Binoculars AD 10x36 WP
$ 325.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Pentax
Binoculars SD 9x42 WP
$ 487.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX 10x50
$ 234.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Pentax
Binoculars ZD 8x43 WP
$ 930.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars TrailSeeker 8x32
$ 390.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX ED 10x50
$ 375.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars 7x35 Landscout
$ 108.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX 10x32
$ 201.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars TrailSeeker 10x32
$ 411.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX 10x42
$ 234.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars 10x42 Cosmos Tree of Life
$ 184.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX 10x42
$ 227.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Celestron
Binoculars NATURE DX ED 10x42
$ 320.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Opticron
Binoculars Savanna R PC 10x33
$ 184.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Opticron
Binoculars Savanna WP 8x30 ZCF
$ 195.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
DDoptics
Binoculars Lux-HR Pocket ED 10x25
Our price:
RRP:
$ 271.00
$ 225.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Opticron
Binoculars Savanna R PC Oasis 8x33
$ 169.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
DDoptics
Binoculars Nighteagle Ergo CT 15x56 Gen. 3.1
Our price:
RRP:
$ 429.00
$ 387.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
HAWKE
Monocular Nature-Trek 10x25 Mono
$ 108.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
DDoptics
Binoculars Nighteagle Ergo CT 8x56 Gen. 3.1
Our price:
RRP:
$ 418.00
$ 377.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
HAWKE
Binoculars Frontier ED X 10x42 green
Our price:
RRP:
$ 760.00
$ 690.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
HAWKE
Monocular Endurance ED 8x25 Mono
$ 125.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
TS Optics
Binoculars 10x50 WP
Our price:
RRP:
$ 195.00
$ 179.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
HAWKE
Binoculars Endurance ED 8x25 green
( 4 / 5 )
$ 249.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
HAWKE
Monocular Nature-Trek 10x42 Mono
$ 162.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Opticron
Binoculars EXPLORER WA ED-R 8x32
$ 325.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
HAWKE
Monocular Endurance ED 8x42 Mono
$ 190.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
HAWKE
Monocular Endurance ED 10x42 mono
$ 201.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Swarovski
Binoculars CL Pocket 10X25 Green Mountain
$ 900.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
What is important when selecting binoculars for bird watching?
The "very good" rating for binoculars is achieved if they meet the following points:
- The magnification should not be less than or greater than 8 – 12 times
- The front lens diameter should be at least 40 mm
- An exit pupil of 4 mm or more provides sufficient brightness to sufficiently recognize plumage details at dawn or dusk
- The field of view should not be less than 110 m, so that you can also easily catch birds in flight
- The close focus must not exceed 3 metres
- In addition, the binoculars should be waterproof and use high-quality lens material to minimize image errors
- Irritating elements, such as a compass or reticle, reduce the rating by one point
For a "good", binoculars must achieve these values:
- Magnification: 7 – 12 times
- Front lens diameter: min. 32 mm
- Exit pupil: min. 3 mm
- Field of view: min. 100 m
- Close focus: max. 5 m
For a "medium" we will accept:
- Magnification: 7 – 15 times
- Exit pupil: min. 2.5 mm
- Close focus: min. 10 m
Binoculars that have too low or too high magnification levels, or whose exit pupil is less than 2.5 mm, or which cannot focus at a distance of 10 m, are "not recommended" by us for bird watching.
Of course, these binoculars can also be used to observe birds at the garden bird table, but for serious ornithology it is not advisable to use pocket binoculars or binoculars with single ocular focusing.