High-end Binocular Roundup

What is the best birding binocular in the world? If a birder were ready to break into the piggy bank, what could he or she get?

We asked optical manufacturers to send us their top birding binoculars so we could compare them against each other. We ended up testing 31 high-end binoculars from 14 manufacturers, with prices ranging from $750 to $2,295.

Although not all bird watchers can afford this costly a binocular, there's probably no birder who wouldn't like to have one.

We tagged and numbered each binocular and set them up on tables overlooking a scene that included flower beds, lawn, bird feeders, trees, and a wild field that sloped down to a country pond—a smorgasbord of viewing pleasure, both near and far.

We put a well-lighted optical resolution chart on the wall across the room from a beanbag-topped tripod, so that any two binoculars could be set side by side and their rock-steady images carefully compared. There were also miles of birding trails right outside our door, and we could pick up any binocular we wanted to take out for a thorough field test.

We lived with this setup for more than amonth. In addition to our own extensive testing, we invited a team of local Iowa birders in for a test day so they also could judge the binoculars. This article sums up the results of the comparisons, and a chart shows the judges'scores.

First, a caveat about the image quality scores: all the high-end binoculars have superb optical quality. In fact they're so good that readers should take the image quality scores with a grain of salt. Although it would be a mistake to say there are no differences, the differences grow increasingly subtle as you approach the top. Reasonable, intelligent people could differ about which one was best.

Every binocular provided excellent resolution, brightness, contrast, freedom from chromatic aberration, and color fidelity.

Such is to be expected, considering the enormous effort of optical research and development that these objects embody. The good news it that it's difficult to make a bad choice. However, you probably shouldn't decide on the basis of a small difference in the image quality scores. The judges did not agree perfectly on the image quality rankings. If you had been there to compare the binoculars yourself, your ranking might not have been quite the same as the composite scores shown in the chart.

Among binoculars of such high optical quality, other features will likely determine which binocular will bring you the greatest satisfaction. The physical design and ergonomics, the focus knob, the fit and feel in your hand, the size, weight, and balance, the eyecup design, the way the diopter setting works, and the placement of the lugs that attach the carrying strap are important features. A binocular should fit your hands and eyes and be appropriate to your use. These are individual considerations. What seems heavy to one person might seem light to another.

Some features that affect the gestalt of the image are easy to measure and score. For example, a wide field of view gives an impressive, big-picture image. Wider images (like you see with high definition TV) provide more immersive experiences and are more likely to wow. And of course a wider field of view makes it easier to spot the bird. If you wear glasses, long eye relief is critical. Otherwise, instead of sitting in the stadium, you're watching the game through a hole in the fence. If you enjoy watching butterflies and hummingbirds, close focus is important to you.

Download the PDF and see the comparison chart >>