Nothing can defeat the satisfaction of a high-resolution, comfortable view of a rare bird. Ergonomic gear can improve your birding experience by 40%! Among one of the most popular options is the 7×50 binocular, often found inside birder arsenals. But are 7×50 binoculars good for birdwatching?
A 7×50 binocular certainly offers an interesting combination of magnification and objective lens diameter, making them suitable for birding and astronomy enthusiasts alike. With ample light-gathering ability, decent magnification, and stability that can steal a birder’s heart, they’re not bad at all! Only a few problems: the size, cost, and weight make them a little less ideal.
Is this aspect a deal breaker? Well, I will discuss it all in this article, so read on to find out.
What does it mean by 7×50 Binoculars?
7×50 binoculars refer to a specific type of binoculars with a magnification of 7x and an objective lens diameter of 50mm. First, let’s break down what these numbers mean and how they affect the performance of the binoculars.
1. Magnification:
The “7” in 7×50 binoculars indicates the magnification power. It means that the target object will appear seven times larger when viewed through the binoculars compared to viewing it with the naked eye.
This resolution is on the lower end of the spectrum for birding binoculars. It is better to choose something between 7x and 10x. You may have a hard time observing distant birds. But for beginners, the stability provided by a lower-power binocular is quite suitable.
2. Objective Lens Diameter:
The “50” in 7×50 binoculars represents the diameter of the objective lens, which is the larger lens at the front of the binoculars. The objective lens diameter is crucial as it determines how much light the binoculars can gather.
Larger objective lenses collect more light, resulting in brighter and clearer images, especially in low-light conditions. And our buddy here is a light haggler.
For this same reason, it is excellent for astronomy and marine use. In fact, most astronomy fanatics prefer binoculars with objective lenses ranging from 50-60mm. So for birding, this might be a tad overkill.
Field of View:
The field of view refers to the width of the observable. In general terms, a 7×50 binocular will have a slightly narrower field of view due to the large objective lens. It typically falls around 7 degrees. You can expect a field roundabout 375 feet, at a distance of about 1000 yards.
A wider field of view allows for a broader perspective, making it easier to track moving objects or observe a larger area. The lower power objective lenses tend to provide wider FOVs due to their longer focal lengths.
Exit Pupil and Low Light Performance
The exit pupil of binoculars refers to the diameter of the beam of light that exits the eyepiece and enters the eye. We can find it by dividing the aperture (50mm here) by the magnification. The result is 7.1mm.
And is 7mm good? It’s brilliant! The objective lens plays a crucial role in determining the brightness of the image seen through the binoculars, especially in low-light conditions. The larger the exit pupil, the more light enters the eye, resulting in a brighter image.
However, not everyone can reap the benefits of a large exit pupil. With age, the ability of our eyes to dilate declines. If our eyes only dilate as much as 6mm, then there will be no performance advantage and it will perform the same as a 7×42 binocular, just heavier and less portable.
The size of the exit pupil in 7×50 binoculars is well-suited for low-light activities like stargazing or wildlife observation as well as birding during twilight hours. The binocular will have the ability to resolve details in low light that you will scarcely be able to distinguish from other binos.
Focus of 7×50 Binoculars
Since 7x is the minimum magnification for birdwatching, you get one added advantage: brilliant focusing before and behind the object. You can focus on multiple objects at one time with ease. However, the exact value will vary with different models.
The close focus distance refers to the minimum distance at which the binoculars can focus and still provide a clear image. While specific close-focus distances may vary between different models, 7×50 binoculars generally have closer focus distances compared to other binoculars.
Most of these have a close focus of about 10, or more feet. The rule of thumb is that typically, high power means the close focus distance is farther away. For lower powers, like the 7x, the binocular becomes ideal for observing birds at close range or in dense foliage.
Even for general bird-watching purposes, with the birdies at a moderate distance, the 7×50 binoculars can still provide a satisfactory viewing experience.
Image Stability and Shake in 7×50 Binoculars
Higher magnifications, such as 10x or 12x, are susceptible to handshaking. At least, we don’t have a problem with that here. The 7x can be handheld almost effortlessly if the weight element doesn’t bother you too much.
However, in many cases, I’ve seen the user prefer the extra bulk on the binoculars. It adds stability for them. The image through the lens is ultra stable, making these field glasses ideal for rugged pathways and shrubbery where a bird might give you a chase.
Weight, Size, and Portability of 7×50 Binoculars
Here comes the biggest problem with these binoculars. 7×50 binoculars tend to be larger and heavier compared to some other configurations, which can make them less convenient for long hikes or travel.
The weight of most 7×50 binoculars ranges between 800g to maybe even higher than 1kg. If you hang your binoculars around the neck, this might be an important consideration for you. Not good for our folks with arthritis either.
If you prioritize image clarity and brightness over portability, then 7×50 binoculars can be a great choice for bird watching. Many people have found out that the heavier weight of the 7×50 actually helps them feel more stable in their hands.
I’d suggest you try it out in a shop to see for yourself if the binoculars work for you.
Are 7×50 Ideal for Birdwatching? The Best Use of a 7×50
7×50 binoculars are good for birdwatching. There’s no doubt about that. In fact, for beginners, this size is going to work really well. But frankly, this isn’t the most ideal size for birdwatching enthusiasts. The magnification might feel a bit scant and then there’s the weight of these that we just discussed.
There’s also another issue with most 7×50 binoculars. You can get better ones with higher power for a lower cost. A few are inexpensive, but others… not. All these factors lead many to believe that 7×50 actually isn’t that high on a priority scale. Sizes like the 8×42 are more popular in this regard as they have a more balanced proportion of aspects.
Nevertheless, there’s one thing that sets these apart from other field glasses, the superior versatility. These binoculars are seaside champs. They make for excellent marine binoculars as a wider field of view is a very important feature when we consider binoculars for use at sea.
The US Coast Guard also recommends using these at sea. Now, some of these marine binoculars also come with additional features such as range finders and reticle scales for calculating distances or lengths.
Plus, they are also brilliant for stargazing. Once again, the objective lens is an excellent choice for low-light conditions. The magnification is suboptimal but it works. Other sizes like 20×60, and mostly the range of 10x and 12x, are preferred in the field of astronomy, but 7×50 is considered a good choice as well.
All in all, 7×50 binos are ideal for people intending to birdwatch at sea, or looking for an all-purpose binocular to accompany them in a variety of their pastimes. Now comes a concise overview of these binoculars.
Pros:
Here are the top 3 traits of a 7×50 binocular in my opinion-
1. Excellent Light Gathering:
The 50mm objective lens diameter allows for exceptional light gathering, resulting in brighter and clearer images, especially in low-light conditions.
2. Image Stability:
The 7x magnification provides a stable viewing experience, making it easier to observe birds in motion without the need for additional support.
3. Versatility:
7×50 binoculars are suitable for various activities, including bird watching, astronomy, and marine use.
4. Wide Field of View:
The large objective lens plus the lower power make sure you can have a wide field of view.
5. Depth Perception and Close Focus:
Naturally, they will have a better depth of field than any of the higher magnifications. More focusing distance for you! Plus, you can use them to study butterflies and insects alike due to the delicious close focusing distance.
Cons:
And here are the only faults I know of:
1. Size and Weight: 7×50 binoculars tend to be larger and heavier compared to other more compact binoculars, which may limit their portability for long hikes or travel.
2. Magnification: 7× is good, but by nature, it won’t be able to deliver as many details when it comes to distant objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use 7×50 binoculars for other activities besides bird watching?
Absolutely, 7×50 is a beast in terms of versatility. You can pack these up in your car and use them for stargazing, marine observation, general wildlife viewing, safari, whatever!
2. Do I need a tripod for 7×50 binoculars?
They are heavy, yes, but not that heavy. If it’s a 10x you might need a tripod, but anything below 10x can do just well in your own hands. Moreover, the 7x magnification provides good image stability for handheld use. The only time I would recommend a tripod is if you fear that you will tire yourself out during extended sessions of birdwatching.
3. Are 7×50 or 8×42 better for birdwatching?
To be fair, 8×42 is the better option. Especially if it’s only birding you want to use it for, 8×42 will almost always perform better than 7×50. The exit pupil is just right, the field of view is even wider, and depth perception is decent. Most of all, it has a higher power and it’s lighter.
4. How do I choose between Porro and roof prism designs in 7×50 binoculars?
Porro prism binoculars (preferably BAK-4) offer a wider field of view and generally better image quality, which is beneficial for birdwatching. Roof prism binoculars are more compact and easier to handle. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize image quality or portability.
5. What role does the interpupillary distance adjustment play in using 7×50 binoculars?
Interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment ensures the binoculars’ optical axes align with your pupils, providing a single, clear image. Correct IPD settings prevent eye strain and headaches.
Conclusion
Are 7×50 good for birdwatching? Well, at least I root for 7×50 as a great choice for birding, especially if you prioritize image clarity, brightness, versatility, and stability. They excel in low-light conditions and the field of view, exit pupil, FOV, and DOF associated with these, are all savory.
The size and weight can cause potential issues with portability. To answer the question in the beginning, is this a deal breaker? I say not. While they may be a bit on the larger side, the drawbacks are easily outweighed by the many factors I just mentioned. Plus, you know what they say, every birder needs a good 7x.
