Digital Camera Binoculars

A camera will take better pictures, and binoculars will be easier to use for long periods, but camera binoculars are good for watching and recording what is seen at the same time.

Instant Replay Facility

This feature continuously records what is seen through the binoculars, and at the touch of a button the recording begins – starting before the button was pressed! This means that unexpected action can be recorded. When it is realised that something interesting just happened the recording can be started just before the event. This feature is brilliant when whale watching.

Binocular and Camera Focus

Some products have what is effectively two different pieces of equipment (camera and binoculars) simply lashed together. These dominate the cheaper end of the market, but are not nearly as good as those at the more expensive end which build both camera and binoculars as a single optical instrument. The very best will allow both camera and binoculars to focus quite close (down to 11 feet in some cases), and while this is not important for whale watching it is invaluable in many other situations (bird watching, lizard watching and so on).

Memory Card and Computer

It is very useful to be able to record images onto a memory card which is compatible with your computer. This not only allows the use of several cards to prolong recording time (do not forget spare batteries as well), but also makes the business of transferring images and video clips to the computer so much easier. Check specifications very carefully to ensure that camera, memory card, computer and software are fully compatible before purchasing.

Magnification

As with all binoculars it is important to remember that the more they magnify the more they shake. Digital cameras inevitably add weight to the binoculars, so any magnification much above X8 will be counterproductive. It is possible to buy binoculars with image stabilization technology built in (either ‘passive’ or ‘active’), but they are horrendously expensive and rather heavy – there do not seem to be any stabilized camera binoculars on the market yet, but they will come, in time. Until they do it is best to stick with lower magnifications, or make sure a tripod can be used to keep the binoculars steady while filming.

Important Lens and Prism Characteristics

It is best by far to opt for fully coated lenses and prisms made of ‘Bak-4’ rather than ‘Bak-7’ glass, since this glass transmits more light, and full coating makes images much clearer. Those who wear spectacles (eyeglasses) should also check that the optical characteristics of the binoculars allow them to be used comfortably without removing the spectacles.

Best Choice

The actual equipment purchased depends, of course, on the budget as well as personal preferences, but Instant Replay 8x32 digital camera binoculars are worth considering seriously.

Traditional Binoculars

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