10x25 vs 8x25

Swarovski CL Pocket Binoculars

Question Answered:

Any comments on the Swarovski 10x25 CL Pocket

Binoculars?Your review of the 8x25 version

is very favorable.

Question:

…the specs seem very similar. Just wondering if you had any

thoughts on the 10x version.

Thanks a lot. Great site.Jonathan Kagan

Question:

Many thanks for the question. Which I will try to answer to the

best of my knowledge:

Firstly, because I have not tested the 10x25 version, I can’t comment on the actual

view through them specifically, but in general...

...8x and 10x versions of a binocular

from the same series are usually

quite similar...

…except for a few differences.Some of which can be

important:

So, in general a higher magnification…

Increases image detail, getting you closer to the target,

but on the flip side...

It leads to a narrower field of viewand..

can sometimes deliver an image that

looks to be less bright, especially in low light

conditions

You also get an increase in Image Shake

However at 10x power this is for most users and uses is not a

major issue

and last but not least, higher power models tend to be

more expensive

So let's see if/how these general rules apply in this case

and compare the main stats between the

8x & 10x Swarovski CL Pocket Binoculars:

In the table on the left I have

highlighted the differences between their specifications.As you can see all of

the points we discussed previously have played out in

this case….

...and one point I forget to discuss before was that

higher powered bins are often also

fractionally heavier...

This is because they need to use thicker lenses in order to

magnify the image more. This fact also leads to another

point:

Less light passes through thicker glass and so is another

reason on top of having a smaller exit pupil why higher powered optics can look to be less bright than lower powered

devices….

Although the difference in this case

between 8x and 10x on a binocular that uses the highest

quality glass and coatings is going to be extremely minimal.

So, In SummaryThe advantages of each are:

8x25 Swarovski CL BinocularsHave a wider field of view Which among other things makes it easier to quickly locate your subject and then follow it - This can be really important for uses like bird watching, especially from closer distances, or if you need to scan wide open areas looking for something.Click to Read My Full Review

8x25 Swarovski CL BinocularsLess Image Shake The lower power will make it easier to keep the image still. For an 8x or 10x binocular this is not usually an issue, but can be important if you have particularly shaky hands or if you are using them on an unsteady base (like a boat).Click to Read My Full Review

8x25 Swarovski CL BinocularsBrighter View May look to have a brighter image, which will be most noticeable in low light, which if you view wildlife, or birds at or before sunrise, after sunset or in thick forests/jungles is an important point to keep in mind.

Click to Read My Full Review

8x25 Swarovski CL Binoculars

● Cheaper

● Fractionally more Lightweight

Click to Read My Full Review

10x25 Swarovski CL Binoculars Image Detail

You get a fraction more image detail

Delivers a higher resolution especially when viewing in dim light (see twilight factor on BBR website).

To read my answer to this question, which

goes into more detail & for links to the reviews

Click Here