Canon 8x25 Image Stabilization Binoculars w/Case and Neck Strap
Details
- Availability:
- Usually ships in 1-2 business days
- List Price:
- $299.99
- Our Price:
- $229.89
- Savings:
- 23%
- Average Customer Rating:
- 4.5 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- Canon
Ready to Buy?
- List Price:
- $299.99
- Our Price:
- $229.89
Features
- 8x magnification with wide field of view
- Optical image stabilization system
- Multicoated for contrast, clarity, and color fidelity
- Doublet field flattener lens
- Rounded design for holding comfort
Description
Canon's 8x25 IS ( Image Stabilizer ) Binoculars bring you outstanding optical performance in the smallest and lightest IS design to date - at the most affordabel price yet associated with this series. Combining Canon's Tilt-System Image Stabilizer technology with a rubberized, rounded shape for comfortable, non-slip handling, the 8x25 IS binoculars are perfect in all settings, from roaring stadium to serene forest.
Whether you are sitting in the nosebleed seats of a stadium or an opera house, with Canon's 8 x 25 IS binoculars you'll get an outstanding close-up view of the action. The binoculars are designed to fit perfectly in your hands and have a rubber coating for nonslip grip and protection from damage. The focus dial is center-mounted and the image stabilizer controls are easily accessible from either hand. Canon's optical image stabilization technology eliminates shake and reduces curvature of field. The image stabilizer operates with a CR123A Lithium battery. The lenses are coated with Super Spectra multicoating that improves image quality by maximizing contrast and minimizing color smear.
Image Stabilization and More
With any high magnification binoculars, most users will experience frustrating image shake. Unless fixed to a tripod, image shake can render high magnification binoculars useless. Canon's IS technology is remarkably effective at eliminating this problem and is widely used by the television industry with Canon's professional broadcast quality video recording equipment. A special VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system sits between the objective lens group and the porro prism on each side of the binoculars. Within thousandths of a second of the binoculars being moved from their optical axis by vibrations, a detection system activates the IS mechanism. The VAP shape alters to refract or 'bend' the light path by precisely the right amount, thus fully compensating for the vibration. It is this essentially immediate response that effectively suppresses image shake.
Super Spectra Coating
A number of optical factors affect the brightness of an image, including the amount of incidental light that is reflected by the lens. An uncoated lens will refelect away as much as 8% of the incidentail light, significantly dimming the image. Canon's Super Spectra Coating prevents that reflection.
What do the numbers mean?
15x50? 8x25? The two numbers used to describe any pair of binoculars are their magnification — 8x, 12x, 15x and so on — and the diameter of their objective lenses — 25mm, 36mm, 50mm, and so on. The larger the first number is, the larger the object will appear to be in the objective lens. For instance, if you use a 10x lens and look at an object that is 100 yards away, it appears to be the same size as an object located just 10 yards away. The second number, the size of the objective lens, is important because the larger the objective lens, the more light it can admit for brighter, more detailed images, and the better suited they will be for lowlight situations.
A look inside
Spotlight customer reviews
Canon 8x25 IS Binoculars
[ Posted: 2008-11-11 ]
I've returned from a River Barge Excursion (8 days on the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers), and I used my Canon IS binoculars ALL the time. I purchased additional 123 Photo batteries, anticipating I would 'use up' the original battery from constant use, but so far haven't made a battery change.
I did manage to lose one of the eyepiece caps, and I plan to contact Canon to see if I can purchase a set of replacement caps. I also have / use a Canon Powershot S5 IS digital camera, and the lens cap is tethered to the neckstrap, which is a very convenient place to 'put' the lens cap while using the camera. I would like to see Canon design a similar 'tethering' for their binocular eyepiece caps.
Binoculars Canon 8x25
[ Posted: 2008-09-14 ]
The image quality is excellent. Eye relief is good so these binoculars are easy to use. The image stabilization is amazing. I use them for star gazing and would not go back to binoculars that are not image stabilized. The improvement in seeing is amazing when the IS is engaged. I also use them for concerts etc. and IS makes all the difference.
Battery life has been good using the IS function 99% of the time. Since I am a casual user two batteries last about a year.
I would have liked to see a push on push off type of switch for the IS instead of having to push and hold the IS switch to keep it engaged.
Focusing is relatively easy even while holding down the IS button, which is located on the top front by the way.
After using 8x25 and experiencing IS for the first time I wish that I would have gotten the next higher magnification because it works so well.
Great Binocular for the price, Questionable reliabilty
[ Posted: 2008-04-05 ]
It is funny to see one reviewer compare it to the 8X32 Leica. because I am about to do the same thing. I just happen to own a Leica 8X32 also. Actually I agree 100% with the comparison from other reviewer. The IS function works so well that the Canon 8X25 IS and Leica 8X32 are comparable on hand held application, except the Canon is slightly dimmer than the Leica. There is no doubt that Leica will beat the Canon on a tripod, due to the better optic of the Leica.. For 5X the price it should. Also for 5X the price it also buy you the water proof and rubber armor. The Leica is more than twice as heavy as the Canon. You might call that Canon has the upper hand on Leica.
As for reliability, that is a different story. My Leica 8X32 has served me more than 15 years and still good as new. The IS function of the Canon 8X25 ISfailed after 15 months. Fortunately for the reason we can guest, this is the only product that Canon carries a 3 year warranty ( even the DSLRs from Canon carries only 1 year warranty). However it take at least 4 phone calls from me and from Canon USA to convince the repair department to fix it under warranty instead of charging me $450 to fix a $175 binocular.
A friendly advice: make sure that it comes with a 3 year warranty before you buy it. Or you can pay extra to buy the extended warranty.
Neat little gadget
[ Posted: 2008-02-19 ]
I have taken this binocular on several vacations. It is a neat binocular. The image stabilization worked great. It is not a gyro stablized binocular, so don't expect it to be a still image. I was on a police helicopter one time and they had the gyro stablized binos that were amazing. While hovering 1000 feet away, you can see everything clearly while the helicopter is in motion. Don't expect that with this bino. You are not paying thousands of dollars for it either. For the amount of money, this bino was a good deal. First the size is perfect. It is not small, but it is not big either. It was comfortable to have hanging around your neck. It wasn't too heavy. The images were clear and when you press the button, the image stablization kicks in. When you release the button, the IS stays on for a few more seconds, so you don't have to press the button constantly. The only thing I wish is that they would add an extra set of lense covers. You can use them to cover the view holes as well as the front lenses. The battery lasted a long time as matter of fact, I'm still on my first set and I've had it for several months now and have taken it on numerous vacations.
Love the Binoculars
[ Posted: 2008-01-22 ]
The stabilizer feature is a real plus. Fits very well in my small hands