From amateurs to veterans, we’ve all been repeatedly slammed with arguments stating the prowess of an 8x binocular in terms of clarity, brightness, and comfort. 10x worshippers often follow suit, promulgating the exquisite details one can snatch with a 10-power binocular instead. All these heated debates leave most of the beginners begging the question: Are 8 or 10 power binoculars better for birding?
To keep it short and sweet: Most veterans and most birders side with the 8x. I side with the 8x. Why? It’s quite simple, actually. The 8x allows for a brighter image with a better focus distance and depth of field. But this doesn’t nullify the image quality that 10x offers. Definitely, the greater magnification will enhance your birding experience in certain (we’re talking about open areas, or about expert birders who focus primarily on distant birdwatching) circumstances.
So are 8 or 10 power binoculars better for birding? Well, in this read, I will break down how the two powers affect your birding experience to unravel this age-old question.
The Effect of Higher Magnification- Are 10 Power Binoculars Better than 8 Power Binoculars for Birding?
Right off the bat, here’s the most obvious difference. Magnification can make or break your birding game. So the real, better question is: how much will a magnification increase by almost 20-25% (in this case) affect your birding? Many would add here that the answer is straightforward. Greater magnification, or higher magnification, greater detail. If other factors remain equal, then we can’t argue with that statement.
Then why am I, and most experts, 8x devotees? Well, a story will explain this better. This goes back to the 1970s. Back then, Porro prisms were the rage. A myth prevailed among the birdwatching gurus of the time: “Nobody can hold a 10x binocular steady.”
Enter roof prism binoculars. Now we are in the 1980s and young birders are discovering just how much crisper distant birdwatching is with a 10x binocular. And it isn’t as unstable as they had been told it was either!
10 power perhaps was borderline overwhelming for the seniors who dealt with the bulky Porro binos, and it successfully set off the rumors we still deal with in this day and age. Nevertheless, the younger generation was all for the 10x.
This was before internal stabilizing technology was introduced to deal with high-power binos. Most of these 1980 birding enthusiasts stuck with their “10x is, in fact, better.” notion, while a majority reverted to the old ways after a decade (like the renowned birding expert and author, Pete Dunne).
The revert was centered around a paradigm shift in their concepts: in the end, a higher power may not even provide better performance.
Once you juggle a higher power binocular, unless it is one of the high-end models with a cool internal stabilization technology or you, a living tripod, you’ll suffer at the hands of stability. Yes, it may seem that the image is “bigger” and “better”. But in reality, the quality of the image remains unimproved.
So, if you bird dynamically with your binoculars in your hand, an 8x will provide you with essentially the same image quality as a 10x, although with a much greater field of view and more. Now if you take your birding to vast, open, or wet areas with birds at a significant distance and your binoculars perched on a steady mount, a 10x will obviously deliver solid, unbeatable performance.
When comparing binoculars with the same magnification, other factors like image stability and field of view become crucial.
Are 8 or 10 Power Binoculars Better for Birding: Factors to Consider
There are a bunch of factors we need to consider before reaching a final decision. Here are the most important ones:
Magnification
In plain terms, an 8-power binocular will increase the size of the image eight times, and similarly, a 10x binocular will increase the size by ten times. By using a 10x and 8x binocular, the object will appear 10 and 8 times closer to you (virtually, its distance will be divided by 10 and 8 respectively).
If the object is, supposedly, 10 times closer to you, details are much more apparent, at least in theory. But this comes with its own set of potential trade-offs. You can see the pretty pattern of the feathers and the exact shape of the beak, but as you examine, every bit of your handshake is magnified 20-25% as compared to the 8x too.
Additionally, higher magnification often results in an increased minimum focus distance, making it harder to observe nearby birds.
Unless you have stable hands; your ability to resolve details with the higher power is limited. All that extra magnification goes down the drain if your focus isn’t steady on the bird.
The extra wobble will diminish the overall quality of the image. This is especially true for mountainous terrains and hiking, for which an 8x would almost always be better. For this, a steady 8x and an unsteady 10x will provide essentially the same image quality, the former may even be better.
Field of View
The field of view will be the width of the observable area as you peer through the binos. It varies inversely with the power of the binoculars. An 8x binocular has a wider field of view when compared to its counterpart, the 10x binocular.
For birding, a nice and large field of view can be wonderful. I mean, how often is it that a bird sits down and looks pretty for us to just observe? These elusive creatures are almost always on the move.
It is easier to track their movements with a greater field of view as compared to a narrower one. This may include catching them in flights without losing focus or watching them flit around. The minimum focusing distance decreases as magnification increases as well. Therefore, in this regard, 8 power binoculars are better than 10 power binoculars for birding.
Image Quality, Shake, and Stability
The most controversial of aspects here and also the reason why poor 10x deals with a significant amount of hate- you need steadier hands to deal with a higher-power binocular. If you fit the description and have a lightweight pair, there’s no reason you can’t use a 10x for even rugged hiking, etc., but an average birder won’t be able to do it at all.
A 10x simply does its job with magnification but happens to magnify the tremors that go unnoticed with lower magnification too. The 8x can be more comfortable in this regard, especially for newbie birders.
No mount is needed, perfect for placing around the neck and for peeking at birds at an angle that is not always the coziest (as happens with most dynamic birders moving through rugged non-uniform platforms).
Modern high-end binos often incorporate vibration reduction technologies that can help mitigate image shake and improve stability by a huge factor. If you have the bucks, you can also try it and see if it solves your problem if you want the added magnification without the hassles.
Depth of Field
The depth of field is the range of distances within which the object remains in focus. Most binos come with a fixed focus, also called the “optical center” or “best focus”, primarily depending upon the aperture, magnitude, and design of the device.
The depth of field will be highest when the power factor is lowest. Therefore, as you climb from 8x to 10x, the depth of field suffers. The 10x focuses on a much smaller segment of the object at a time, while the range is wider for the 8x. If you’re going to be watching flocks or just multiple objects at a time, then expect the 10x to waver in its focusing decisions.
Speed of Focus
We just discussed how 8x has a greater depth of field. Consequently, they also have greater focusing speed. They can bring an object into close focus much quicker than a 10x at its best. Worth a mention here is that the 8x is always going to be better for birding at closer distances.
Now the magnification isn’t directly influential on the speed of focus, but indirectly (from the ease of manipulating the focusing mechanism, etc.), it can play around with the focus. And it does, especially when it comes to maintaining the focus. A 10x does a good job at it, but an 8x will be still better.
Weight
As I mentioned earlier, the belief that 10x is impossible to hold steady is only but a myth. With the advancements in modern-day technology, many roof prism binoculars are pretty lightweight, even for higher powers of 10x and above.
A 10x roof might even be more portable than an 8x Porro! However, mainly, the weight of the binos is heavily reliant on the power. This is because the glass itself constitutes the majority of the weight element. The higher the power, the greater will be the bulkiness. Low-quality glass generally weighs less, but not without its demerits.
Exit Pupil and Objective Lens
Hold the binoculars about 30 cm away from your eyes. See that tiny, and shiny circle in the middle of the eyepiece? That’s the exit pupil. The larger it is, the brighter the image will be. It’s quite easy to find the exit pupil of your binoculars. Divide the effective diameter of the objective lens by the magnification.
For example, for a 10×40 binocular, the exit pupil has a diameter of just 4mm, while for an 8×40 binocular, it will be 5mm. This value is of paramount importance in low-light conditions. Our own pupil constricts and dilates, depending upon the light conditions. If it’s bright outside, the pupil will be roundabout 2-3mm, and around 6-7mm to let in more light if it’s dark.
To see how well your own binoculars will fare against light conditions, compare the exit pupil with these values. The 10x binocular here has a much smaller exit pupil (4mm) as compared to the 6-7mm of our eyes. So for this one, are 8 or 10 power binoculars better for birding? Well, 8x wins this with a comparatively brighter image in darker environments.
And The Most Crucial Factor: You (and affordability, if you wear glasses)!
There’s no one-size-fits-all in the world of binoculars. Always start with some soul-searching before deciding to settle on a pair of birding glasses. Begin with assessing where exactly you will be using the binoculars. The terrain is crucial. For activities like hawk watching, where long-distance viewing is essential, a 10x binocular can be more advantageous.
As I have mentioned earlier, if you plan to do a lot of distant birdwatching (hawk watching) with a fixed mount, the 10x will provide the bang for your buck. If your birding is heavily centered around darker environments, the brighter image of the 8x will help. While binoculars are generally preferred for their portability, some birders opt for a spotting scope for more detailed observation of distant wildlife.
Moreover, generally, for all wet areas and over-the-water birding, 10x is better. If it’s hiking through mountains and forests alike, 8x takes the lead. Dense shrubbery? Get an 8x. If your needs are a mix of all these and you have some extra bucks stored around, get both! And for an all-purpose birdwatching buddy, I recommend opting for an 8x.
Do you have a noticeable tremor? An 8x will fare better. There are a bunch of exceptions when it comes to image movement and shake; hence why I say, to each their own. Some people are basically tripods and a 10x is no biggie for them to carry.
I suggest you test it out in a physical store or at least make sure the online store you buy from has a decent return policy. Swarovski, Nikon, and Carl Zeiss are some of the top dogs of the industry. Their binos refuse to disappoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for bird watching 8×42 or 10×42?
There’s no established answer to this, although 8×42 is more of an all-rounder here. It is brighter and more versatile, with a wider field of view, better depth perception, and focusing distance. But the 10×42 has a greater magnification and so a better shot at nailing those precise details like the feather pattern.
Is 10×50 good for bird watching?
If you can handle these, then absolutely! The 10x magnification allows for a detailed observation of distant birds, while the 50mm objective lens diameter ensures ample light gathering for brighter images. Don’t forget the portability factor though.
Are 8x or 10x binoculars better for safari?
If you’re going to follow the action around, then 8x binos have the edge. The same applies if you intend to speed through in a car and watch through the window. The answer is different; however, if you’re going to lay down in hiding in broad daylight and peer around 10x, it is better for the latter.
What other features should I consider when choosing binoculars for birding?
When choosing binoculars for birding, it’s crucial to invest in a good pair that offers close focus distance, sufficient eye relief for glasses wearers, diopter adjustment for precise focusing, and waterproof/fogproof construction. Additionally, consider the size and weight, roof or Porro prism options, and overall image quality.
How should I appoint a budget for new binoculars?
Word of advice: Choose binoculars that stretch your budget to its maximum. Doesn’t sound like very considerate advice to start with, but believe me, this is a major buy once, cry once situation. Lower quality binos will unnerve you and your wallet quite a bit in the long run anyway.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, are 8 or 10 power binoculars better for birding? As much as we’d like to put a lid on the question, the answer remains subjective.
It is true that overall, 8x binoculars provide a better value due to their brighter image, better focus distance, depth of field, and wider field of view. But 10x gives that satisfaction you get with a closer, more detailed picture.
But remember, the superior details can not be reaped by just about anyone. All my wobbly-handed folks will have to step back for this one, particularly if a tripod isn’t in the picture and the frame is pretty dynamic and rugged.
