Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - 10x42L IS WP Waterproof Image Stabilizer Binoculars USA - Gray
Average customer rating
4.2
(23 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 23 reviews
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Star
2
81%of customers recommend this product.
(
13 out of
16)
Customer Reviews for Canon - 10x42L IS WP Waterproof Image Stabilizer Binoculars USA - Gray
Customer Rating
5
SEE the Unseen!
on January 25, 2017
Posted by: Theo
from SE La
I own or have glassed with most of the Alpha offerings in the binocular world marketplace. Currently, I have several high end porros and top end roofs that offer superb FOV's with accurate color, detailed resolution, visual stereopsis and great build quality. They bring visual enjoyment of the world when I venture on bird or wildlife excursions. I use 7X to 12X optics (depending on venue) and prided myself on hand holding a steady image when using 10X to 12X binos.
My past positive experiences using the Canon DSLR IS L-Glass lenses always intrigued me and spiked my interest to try the Canon IS offerings in binoculars. With the current excellent 10x42L IS sale (and reading great reviews all over the net), I ordered from B&H and began my comparative evaluations.
I already understood the possible issues and positive features that the 10x42L was known for. Things like their bulkiness, heft, slow focus speed, lack of high-end ergonomics, quirky accessories and a short, non-transferable warranty period turn many off to the concept of these great optics. However IMHO, any of these possible turnoffs melted away as soon as I engaged their Image Stabilization Prowess...AMAZING! They possess excellent optics (very, very close to my venerable EL 10x50 SV's), and with their image stabilized feature turned on, the Detail, Resolution and Clarity of FOV makes even my glassing non IS steady hands Obsolete. I typically don't use any type of stabilization assist (mono, bi or tri pods) and with hand holding the 10x42L with IS engaged (convenient), I can easily view a superb, sharp and detailed point of interest as if I had my top end alpha pair of 10X on a tri-pod (inconvenient)!!
Great Optics, Solid Build, Quality accessories, Quick and Very effective IS function and as a Porro II design, wonderful 3D viewing. Battery life using fresh Lithium's is superb (15 hrs of IS continuous use & charge still at 1.74V)! These unconventional binos now have a permanent place in my excursion outdoor back pack!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Good for Astronomy & Marine use
on December 21, 2015
Posted by: TCampbell
from Dearborn, MI, United States
I picked up a pair of these a little over a year ago -- mostly for astronomy use, but I also use them for sailing.
Binoculars are excellent for large structure / bright objects in the night sky -- they work especially well on large open star clusters. It's both challenging and fatiguing to hold binoculars steady-enough to see detail in the night sky, but the image stabilization calms the shaking down and makes it much more enjoyable to use (resting in a patio lounger makes it even easier). I've also used this to observe planets (namely Jupiter and Saturn). While they do work, the 10x magnification is a bit small to see much detail. You can make out the cloud belts on Jupiter and the rings on Saturn -- but only just barely. I'd suggest a higher powered pair (or a telescope) for use on planets.
I also use these for sailing. Marine use was one reason why I opted for the fully waterproof binoculars vs. the weather-resistant alternatives. I've used other binoculars for marine use and once the binoculars exceed 7x magnification it becomes too difficult to hold steady (the higher the magnification, the more difficult it is to hold them steady enough). But once again, the image stabilization feature calms everything down and makes it easy to use 10x binoculars on a boat that's pitching and rolling with the waves.
I use rechargeable NiMH batteries (Panasonic Envelops) to power these. I avoid using single-use alkaline batteries and if you do, remove them before storing the binoculars. Alkaline batteries will leak when drained.
The eye-caps and lens covers are not attached to the binoculars themselves. They have a short lanyard designed to let you attach the lens covers and eye-cups (it covers both sides and is connect in the center) to the neck-strap. Some people prefer that the lens-caps be permanently attached but it really doesn't bother me. I do catch the lens covers sometimes falling off easily (but if attached to neck-strap with the lanyard as described in the instructions, you won't lose them.)
The diopter adjustment (to correct for eye prescription) is only adjustable on the right-side. The idea is that you cover the right eye and focus the binoculars only for the left eye. Once focused, cover the left eye, and then focus the right-eye using only the diopter adjustment. The adjustment ring clicks forward/back to lock/unlock. So really you're just adjusting for the difference in eye prescription between your eyes. There are index marks so if you share the binoculars with others, you can quickly return them to the setting that works best for you.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
1
So very disappointed
on September 17, 2014
Posted by: AKuser
I have two pair of Canon IS binoculars. I really think they are exceptional... when they work. My 10x42Ls just froze up again. The first time, only a few years ago, the repair was half the cost of a new pair as everything electronic needed replaced. I do not carry these often, perhaps four times a year. Pitiful. I'm about to leave on an annual trip and almost as if it were scripted, they died again. I couldn't be more disappointed. I believe I'll have them repaired, then sell them. The problem is that it's just about as expensive to repair them as what I'll get for them. It seems a sin to simply toss them in the trash but financially and time wise, this might just happen.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Extension Of The Eyes
on August 4, 2013
Posted by: Imageon
from Hot Springs, Arkansas
the Canon 10x42 IS binoculars are by far the best, most useful and most used, I own.
This unit will focus to 8.5' from the viewer.
Being a ammeter naturalist / photographer. One of the things I do with them is look at stuff that is only 10 or so feat away.. Dragonflies, butterflies , frogs, and so on. These work really well for this. Vibration is more noticeable at closer distances. The image stabilization plus the 10x magnification produce a nothing less than spectacular view at these close ranges.
The 46mm objective lenses let enough light get through the instrument to use them in dark situation such as under the forest canopy and early in morning. There is a 52mm threaded ring like on cameras around the objective lenses. I put a small lens shade on each to help with the early morning low angle light. It also has the added benefit of protecting the lens without adding glass filtration.
I usually carry them in the case strapped to my chest. I use the neck strap and an elastic belt through the provided belt loop on the back of the case. I am able to whip them out as needed and returning them as i move on. The case protects them and keeps the kayak paddle and my camera from banging into the unit. After a while you don't even know they are there.
In summation - No I haven't mentioned the usually attributes. I have reviewed the ones which pertain to me. I use the binocular as an extension of my vision. The Canon 10x42 IS is a tool and one I can "now" not do without.
This unit will focus to 8.5' from the viewer.
Being a ammeter naturalist / photographer. One of the things I do with them is look at stuff that is only 10 or so feat away.. Dragonflies, butterflies , frogs, and so on. These work really well for this. Vibration is more noticeable at closer distances. The image stabilization plus the 10x magnification produce a nothing less than spectacular view at these close ranges.
The 46mm objective lenses let enough light get through the instrument to use them in dark situation such as under the forest canopy and early in morning. There is a 52mm threaded ring like on cameras around the objective lenses. I put a small lens shade on each to help with the early morning low angle light. It also has the added benefit of protecting the lens without adding glass filtration.
I usually carry them in the case strapped to my chest. I use the neck strap and an elastic belt through the provided belt loop on the back of the case. I am able to whip them out as needed and returning them as i move on. The case protects them and keeps the kayak paddle and my camera from banging into the unit. After a while you don't even know they are there.
In summation - No I haven't mentioned the usually attributes. I have reviewed the ones which pertain to me. I use the binocular as an extension of my vision. The Canon 10x42 IS is a tool and one I can "now" not do without.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Excellent, excellent, excellent.
on September 17, 2011
Posted by: Marhadoe
from Orange County.
These are absolutely excellent binoculars. The image quality is far beyond any other pair that I tried at a professional binocular/scope shop, including pairs more expensive than this. No matter how in-focus they "look", you can always adjust slightly and the image seems to get even better. Image stabilization is profound, and if you are already fairly steady then you can get the image absolutely rock solid. My only complaint is that the distance between image centre and the outside of the eyepiece is a bit large, which means they squeeze my nose a bit. May be better on people with wider-set eyes. Other than that, no complaints and only praise.
Pros: image quality, light gathering, close focus, no eye strain
Cons: hard for close-set eyes, expensive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
on November 26, 2009
Posted by: blue
from atlanta
Very good optics and build quality. So far they have proven to be very waterproof after getting wet in the rain about 10 times in the last 6 months. The image stabilization cannot correct for exaggerated movement like on some other more expensive models (which always severely degrades image quality ) but they are superb at medium to light movement correction with very little image degradation. Overall a good quality binocular.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A fine instrument
on May 15, 2009
Posted by: tim
from Omaha, NE
This model is much lighter and more pleasant to use than the 15X50 IS though a little less brighter. Also I cannot hear the IS making a clicking sound like I could on the 15X50 IS (a little bothersome) and the batteries last longer! At 42mm app it is still a very good astronomical tool, and has a very flat field of view that just makes the sky look awsome. My only gripe, the protective rubber in front of the objectives is too short to protect them hardly at all.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com