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Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binoculars
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Canon |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Special Feature | waterproof |
Objective Lens Diameter | 42 Millimeters |
Magnification Maximum | 10 |
About this item
- Padded Case w/ Strap
- Neoprene Strap
- Eyepiece Rainguard
- 1-Piece Push-On Objectives Cap
- Two 1.5-Volt 'AA' Alkaline Batteries
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Price | $1,487.75$1,487.75 | $799.95$799.95 | $499.00$499.00 | $439.14$439.14 | $296.95$296.95 | -15% $1,099.00$1,099.00 List: $1,299.95 |
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Customer Ratings | ||||||
Image stabilization | 4.6 | — | 4.8 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.4 |
Picture quality | 4.6 | — | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
Light weight | 3.2 | — | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.5 |
Sold By | 6ave | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Mew Japan | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
focus type | manual-focus | Center Focus | Center Focus | Center Focus | Center Focus | Individual Focus, Fixed Focus |
apparent angle of view | 65 degrees | — | 49.5 degrees | 48.8 degrees | 52.1 degrees | 4 degrees |
lens coating | ✓ | Multi-Coated | — | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
eye relief | 16 millimeters | — | 13.5 millimeters | 14 millimeters | 18.4 millimeters | 13 millimeters |
exit pupil diameter | 4.2 millimeters | — | — | 3 millimeters | 4.2 millimeters | — |
objective lens diameter | 42 millimeters | — | 20 millimeters | 30 millimeters | 42 millimeters | 40 millimeters |
binocular prism | Porro Prism | Roof Prism | — | Roof Prism | Roof Prism | Porro Prism |
zoom ratio | 10 multiplier x | 16 multiplier x | 8 multiplier x | 10 multiplier x | 10 multiplier x | 14 multiplier x |
From the manufacturer
Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars
Overview
The much-anticipated 10x42 L IS WP is the first waterproof binocular to incorporate Canon's exclusive Image Stabilizer technology for steady, shake-free viewing. The high quality L series optics, featuring 2 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements (on each side), deliver excellent correction for chromatic aberration. With a large lens diameter and a 4.2mm exit pupil diameter, this binocular provides an exceptionally bright view, even in low-light conditions. The 10x42 L IS WP binocular offers both the desired brightness and excellent waterproof capabilities, making it ideal for a host of activities including marine use, stargazing and wildlife observation - just to name a few.
Features
- Canon's first waterproof IS Binocular
- High performance L Lens with 2 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements on each side
- Doublet Field Flattener Lenses for sharp, distortion-free images edge-to-edge
- Bright field-of-view from a 4.2mm exit pupil diameter, the largest of any Canon IS Binocular
- Wide angle rating from an apparent angle-of-view of 65°
- One touch IS usage
- Body components feature metallic coating to prevent fogging
- Distinctive, easy grip design
What's in the box
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 8.4 x 7 x 5.2 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 3.9 pounds |
ASIN | B0007W4IW2 |
Item model number | 0155B002 |
Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #831 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #392 in Binoculars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | June 16, 2006 |
Manufacturer | Canon Cameras US |
Language | English |
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Product Description
Product Description
Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars. optical Image Stabilizer that are ideal for a super steady view in the most extreme weather conditions.
From the Manufacturer
The much-anticipated 10 x 42 L IS WP is the first waterproof binocular to incorporate Canon's exclusive image stabilizer technology for steady, shake-free viewing. The high quality L series optics, featuring 2 ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements (on each side), deliver excellent correction for chromatic aberration. With a large lens diameter and a 4.2 millimeter exit pupil diameter, this binocular provides an exceptionally bright view, even in low-light conditions. The 10 x 42 L IS WP binocular offers both the desired brightness and excellent waterproof capabilities, making it ideal for a host of activities including marine use, stargazing and wildlife observation.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, quality, brightness, and sharpness of the binoculars. For example, they mention that the eye cups work great, the optics are bright and clear, and the image lights up. That said, opinions are mixed on value and size.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the binoculars. They mention the image stabilization, the very high optical quality, and the reasonably high price. Some say that the bins are amazing, have the best optics they've ever seen, and are one of the best products they'd ever used. The optics are bright and clear, and they're truly remarkable.
"...BOTTOM LINE: because of the image stabilization, the very high optical quality, and the reasonably high magnification (10x) no birder will have a..." Read more
"...far less than what I paid back in the day however they have excellent optics, smooth crisp focusing, excellent contrast pretty much a match to what..." Read more
"First, they are extremely well made. They feel solid as a rock in your hand with no clatter or noise when you shake them...." Read more
"...With IS turned on, there was no comparison. IS is the real deal! Once you use it (and can deal with the weight), you can't go back...." Read more
Customers like the image quality of the binocular. They say it has a super crisp image, excellent low light capability, perfect color, and bright images. Customers are also impressed with the stunning image, saying it's stunning and stunning. They also say the beautiful optics light up the scene, and there is no image degradation when switching from non-imag to non-photographic modes. Customers also say that the bins are bulky and heavy.
"...stabilization, the very high optical quality, and the reasonably high magnification (10x) no birder will have a better binocular view...." Read more
"...The image is spectacular, bright and sharp as a tack, I would expect it to be for the 4 figure price tag. And it is!..." Read more
"...it short, all four of these gave superb views with such crispness and clarity, we doubted that the Canons could live up to their level because the..." Read more
"...The image, especially when stabilized, is spectacular. Just gorgeous, edge to edge...." Read more
Customers like the image stabilization of the binocular. They say it works well enough to minimize hand tremors, and the push-button image stabilizing mechanism conserves battery life. Customers are also impressed with the ability to turn the stabilizing on and leave it on for 5 minutes, which causes the image to sit still.
"...BOTTOM LINE: because of the image stabilization, the very high optical quality, and the reasonably high magnification (10x) no birder will have a..." Read more
"...goes on each side of it.Second, The stabilization. This works superlatively! Hit the button and it's on. No waiting for it to get going...." Read more
"Excellent optics. Image stabilization works as advertised. Overall, I am very pleased with these...." Read more
"...It also provides a way to turn the stabilizing on and leave it on (for 5 min) without having to continually press the button... neat!..." Read more
Customers like the performance of the binoculars. They mention the accessories, quick and effective IS function, and the Porro II design. The eye cups work great, and are an excellent piece of technology. They work as ordinary binos, with extremely high optical quality, and provide fantastic views. They are useful in all birding conditions and are truly amazing.
"...VIEWS ARE STILL FANTASTIC. Very useful in all birding conditions (from rain forest to open seas, and especially in windy conditions)...." Read more
"...goes on each side of it.Second, The stabilization. This works superlatively! Hit the button and it's on. No waiting for it to get going...." Read more
"...Lastly, the IS system worked better for the 10x (the shakes were more noticeable in the higher powered models); and these were much lighter than the..." Read more
"...The Canon 10 x 42 binocs are truly amazing. They have doubled the joy I get from birdwatching, and I have now become a stargazer...." Read more
Customers like the brightness of the binoculars. They say that the image lights up when they see through them, and the moons of Jupiter are instantly visible. They also mention that the sky was fairly dark and that the bins have minimal blacking out on the sides.
"...Final thoughtsOptics are outstanding, brightness, clarity and contrast superb to the edge..." Read more
"...The image is spectacular, bright and sharp as a tack, I would expect it to be for the 4 figure price tag. And it is!..." Read more
"...The moons of Jupiter are instantly visible...." Read more
"...Bright, super sharp, very little chromatic aberration...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sharpness of the binocular. They mention that the sharp images are well-defined and have excellent contrast. Customers are also impressed with the smooth focusing and excellent optics.
"...I paid back in the day however they have excellent optics, smooth crisp focusing, excellent contrast pretty much a match to what I have so did not..." Read more
"...The image is spectacular, bright and sharp as a tack, I would expect it to be for the 4 figure price tag. And it is!..." Read more
"...Here's why: the L lens gave brighter, sharper, and extremely color-accurate views versus the non L lens glass...." Read more
"...There is no obvious chromatic aberration, and this results in a crisp, well-defined image...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the size of the binocular. Some mention that the size and weight are a compromise for ease of use, while others say that they are bulky, heavy, and difficult to fit. The Pelican 1400 case is the perfect size and ultimate protection for these binos. However, some customers also say that the eye cups are too large to fit their eye sockets.
"...Not only are they heavy, requiring the use of a harness rather than a simple strap, but more importantly they are bulky and have a different..." Read more
"...Fit and finish first class, very solid professional feelAn amazing experience every-time! Can't put them down :)Well worth the price" Read more
"...Were it not for their weight and bulkiness, I'm sure these would be more popular. Also, Canon's support is subpar versus Swarovski and company...." Read more
"...They are hefty almost too hefty at a little over 2 lbs. But they are well balanced and the weight is centered at the palm of my hands...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the binocular. Some mention that it is worth the price, while others say that it's expensive but worth every penny.
"...Stabilization brings a whole new experience well worth the price of admission, taking out the jitter allows smooth & effortless image tracking with..." Read more
"...With the IS turned on, they are the best 10x despite them being much cheaper...." Read more
"...extra cost and 2) heavy and ergonomically challenging handling...." Read more
"...My bottom line: For me, the Canon 10 x 42's are well worth the price I paid ($1300), but I am addicted to optics...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Revised one year after purchase: I raised the rating from 4 to 5 stars since going on a birding trip in the tropics. I also gave up the binocular harness as too annoying (too many straps and too elastic) and used the binocular strap provided by Canon—hence the 44 oz pain in the neck when combined with a camera and a satchel across a shoulder. BUT WOW, when seeing so many new and rarely seen birds, I made full use of the 90-100% stability compared to no image stabilization, which provided viewing opportunities previously afforded only through the guide’s spotting scope. Yes, previously on birding trips I’d always been first in line at the spotting scope, but on this trip anything within about 100’ was just fine through the binoculars WITH THE IMAGE STABILIZATION ON. Of course this is with top quality glass and 10x (some folks used 8x, but they didn’t even bother looking at the distant birds that were well within the range I had). After about 2 weeks of constant use on the trip, the neck pain diminished and the hefty binoculars felt comfortable in my hands. Normally I only use the image stabiliation a few seconds at a time, about a total of a minute per hour of active birding, but on this trip I used it more frequently and longer since I wanted to carefully study and savor the birds, but there is still plenty of AA battery left—I assume (battery life isn’t an issue, but unfortunately I don’t know how to predict when they will give out, so I took along a spare pair of batteries). Not only were the binoculars great in the dense rainforest, but they were also outstanding on big and small boats or after hurrying to see a bird that might soon fly away. I haven’t tried them on a pelagic trip, but I expect they would be even more useful there, even though complete image stabilization would be unlikely. So if someone tells you they looked through them once and weren’t impressed (as my guide did), take it with a grain of salt. See my original review (unchanged except the rating of 4 going to 5) below:
Original unchanged review: This is a long review since it’s very difficult to find much about image-stabilized binoculars for serious birding. BOTTOM LINE: because of the image stabilization, the very high optical quality, and the reasonably high magnification (10x) no birder will have a better binocular view. But there are two big considerations: 1) extra cost and 2) heavy and ergonomically challenging handling. I believe the latter issue is why these are difficult to find to try out or even to see reviewed in birding circles. But image stabilization revolutionized bird photography, and once the kinks get worked out (mainly weight and bulk) it should revolutionize birding binoculars. Binocular manufacturers have reached the point of diminishing returns on optical quality, leaving wide-open much potential for improvement using image stabilization.
Many years ago I had a binocular epiphany. At a roadside pull-off in Yellowstone National Park, I saw a man using 8x compact binoculars on a tripod to view a distant grizzly bear. Overcoming my surprise over tiny binoculars on a tripod, I was amazed that the view through his little binoculars was at least as good as what I had with my larger 10x binoculars. Since then, I have been acutely aware of how much vision is improved when there is complete stability. I’ve come to realize that few birders have looked through their binoculars with complete stability (e.g., resting them on a flat surface and not touching them at all). The view is spectacular, and I’d say it’s worth a couple of extra powers of magnification and quite a bit more money.
Ever since then, I’ve been wondering what it would be like to have image-stabilized binoculars, but reviews for and by serious birders are very hard to find—hence this review. There are several brands available (but very hard to find to test), but since none seem to cost less than $700 for binoculars that would otherwise go for less than $200 (based on the descriptions), I figure $500 is for the image stabilization feature. These Canon 10x42s are pretty much the only top quality ones out there (outstanding glass, waterproof [inadvertently tested and confirmed], fairly close focus, etc.). Almost every review says they’re heavy (yes, 42g vs 23g for Eagle Optics 10x42 Ranger ED binoculars—my previous standard). But they all say that the view is spectacular, especially for viewing the night sky. Another serious issue for me from the reviews was the limited warranty and high cost of repairing the image-stabilization feature. With all of this in mind, I decided to take a chance and get a pair 6 months ago and am ready to render an opinion for other serious birders.
Not only are they heavy, requiring the use of a harness rather than a simple strap, but more importantly they are bulky and have a different (clumsy) feel in the hand. The housing for the two AA batteries for the image-stabilizer fills the gap between the two barrels, just where I’d like my thumbs to go. On the plus side, there’s also a screw hole to readily attach a tripod (but of all binoculars, why would you want to?). Also the objective lenses are perilously exposed in these distinctively shaped binoculars. (This is easily, but annoyingly, corrected by buying two UV filters [52mm threads] and two ¾” wide sunshades [also 52mm threads], totaling about $40. Then throw away the rubber objective covers [which, as everyone says don’t fit anyway] and the binocular case [which all birders already do]).
Now to the image stabilization, which is operated by a button using the right middle finger. YES, IT WORKS, removing most of the shake, often giving glorious total image stability. The shake reduction seems comparable to that of image-stabilized DSLR cameras.
WITH EXPERIENCE, FIELD USE IS GREAT. After several months of serious birding in a variety of conditions, my hands have finally adapted to the new feel and the weight. The image quality is indeed superb, and all other features besides weight and grip are fine (e.g., eye relief for eyeglasses, close focus, focusing knob, field of view). Since I only use the image stabilization feature for a few seconds at a time and for only a few times per hour of birding, I’m still way below the listed 2-8 hours of battery life (depending on AA battery type and temperature). It’s been great for 1) getting ideal looks at quality birds, 2) warblers high in trees, especially when I’m tired and have shaky arms, 3) waiting for birds to pop out from behind vegetation (here, I might keep the image-stabilizer on for up to 10-20 seconds), 4) coastal birding in strong wind (times when image-stabilizers would be useful for tripod-mounted scopes), and 5) eking out the last bit of magnification for identifying birds almost too distant for regular 10x binoculars (and definitely out of range for regular 8x). The image-stabilization is also useful for following birds in flight. Surprisingly, one-handed use is not just possible, but is actually quite good despite the size and shape of these “big boys.”
So, because I knew about the value of a stable image, I took a chance. The binoculars have been rewarding. It has taken adjustment, perhaps not unlike that of bird photographers deciding to switch from an easily portable point-and-shoot high-zoom camera to a bulky 400mm DSLR camera. Anyone considering getting high-end binoculars for their optical quality should give serious consideration to the Canon 10x42 L IS WP binoculars, which give much better views. I’ll go out on a limb here and propose ratings, with 100% being views which can’t be improved upon. I’ll say the highest quality lenses (at notably higher prices) are essentially at their maximum, hence a score of 95%—put them on a tripod or immovable surface and they’re at 100%. I’ll give my Eagle Optics Rangers ED ($350, alas no longer available!) a 92 or 93%, and the Canon binoculars a 94%. With image-stabilization on, they score about 98% of a perfect image, going well beyond what non-stabilized but otherwise perfect optics can do. I would love to see the high-end binocular manufacturers shrink the image-stabilization mechanism and improve the ergonomics. Come to think of it, high quality zoom (something that’s never been achieved in birding binoculars) would be nice, too.
Note: I took a double chance and bought a returned pair of binoculars (“damaged box”) at a big discount from Amazon Warehouse. The binoculars had an annoying fine tremor when the image stabilization was on, but I could still often get total image stability for a second or two at a time. After several months of living with it, I called Canon to find out if this tremor was normal. They said “No”, so I shipped them back at my expense. Since the 3-year warranty was valid, they were quickly repaired (the image stabilization mechanism was replaced) and soon shipped back at Canon’s expense. So the support was excellent.
In summary, I believe these give the best overall binocular views currently possible for birding binoculars (i.e. binoculars allowing sharp and quick focusing, quick bird-finding, waterproof, etc.), but the bulk (weight and poor fit-in-the-hand) plus the extra cost force a decision on what’s most important—like the decision to go from a high-zoom point-and-shoot camera to a bulky, more costly DSLR camera.
The top two reviews with the most helpful votes have covered these binoculars so well, I will keep my review shorter and offer a different emphasis. These Canons were compared to the flagships from Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, and Nikon. With the IS system turned off, the views were on par or just below the other four. With IS turned on, there was no comparison. IS is the real deal! Once you use it (and can deal with the weight), you can't go back.
Background:
Some months back, I took up amateur astronomy as a hobby. I was told by veterans to start with binoculars and then progress to a telescope. Now that I have more experience, you should buy both. They are different tools for stargazing much like a pickup truck and a compact sedan are great for different activities.
In binoculars for astronomy, there are two camps: low power or high power magnification. Low power generally means 7x-10x and high power means 15x-30x. Aperture ranges from 35mm at a minimum up to 100mm - but anything larger than 42 or 50 mm gets very heavy to hold steady. So, a mount becomes necessary which kills the convenience factor. I'm in the low power camp for binoculars. I use them for sweeping the sky with a wide field of view and large exit pupils. I also think the biggest advantage over a telescopes is their portability, and how fast they are to use for a quick look. Thus, hand-held size and low power are key qualities. I prefer 10x over 7x because that extra magnification is very noticeable, but it still retains a good field of view.
The comparison test:
Since I'm a casual observer, I only knew important things like chromatic aberration (CA), contrast, sharpness, and brightness. I tested this pair with 5 other people who knew more about quality optics, and one person who knew nothing about them - 7 people total. In our group, we had the alpha brands (Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski) to use as a benchmark. They were the Swarovski 10x42 EL, Nikon 10x42 EDG, Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD, and the Zeiss Victory 10x42. To make it short, all four of these gave superb views with such crispness and clarity, we doubted that the Canons could live up to their level because the price difference was nearly $2,000. For more in-depth analysis, these models have many reviews on the Internet. They are the best to many people for a reason.
When the group held the Canon, you could tell their bulky size and weight were a huge negative mark against them. That being said, only two people (particularly my uncle, an avid birder and a lover of Swarovskis) thought their image quality was the same as the benchmark pairs with the IS turned off. We then took turns looking at some stars with the IS turned on. Everyone else gasped.
My uncle was in disbelief. No one could have predicted how important a still(er) image could be at 10x. Somehow, sharpness, colors, and details emerged that weren't there before in the benchmark pairs. Still, he gave the slightest edge to the Swarovskis because sweeping the binoculars with IS turned on introduced very tiny artificats. Nonetheless, if you swept the night sky with the IS turned off, locked onto a target, and then clicked the IS button on, the views became close to perfect. This inability to sweep the sky with IS on wasn't a big deal to me. Locking on objects and then clicking became second nature eventually. In the end, I only knew this as a casual observer: I couldn't hold the other pairs, which were considerably lighter, without the image bouncing around. With these, one button click solved the problem. My little sister, the neophyte of the group, agreed with me. She knew nothing about glass performance. Yet, she admitted the view of the Pleiades with IS on versus the others were incomparable.
My uncle still preferred his Swarovskis because he had miraculously still hands so the IS wasn't important to him at these magnifications. In addition, because of his age, the weight of these binoculars was too much with his neck craned up at the constellations. Everyone else younger than him could hold these just fine, and they gave the Canons the highest score.
Canon 10x42 vs the 15x50/18x50:
Before I decided to keep these, I also acquired the Canon 15x50 and 18x50 IS binoculars. The extra magnification was lovely, however, I still preferred the 10x42. Here's why: the L lens gave brighter, sharper, and extremely color-accurate views versus the non L lens glass. Even more, the field of view was greater in these (a big reason why I bought binoculars for astronomy in the first place). The exit pupil was larger too which my eyes can take advantage of in darkness. Lastly, the IS system worked better for the 10x (the shakes were more noticeable in the higher powered models); and these were much lighter than the 15x and 18x in spite of their waterproofing (which the others lack). I may have bought the 15x were it not for my telescope and my need to use the 10x for terrestrial purposes and at football games. Strangely, I did not notice much of a difference with the extra 8mm of aperture. I think the better IS in the 10x42 cancelled out this advantage.
Miscellaneous:
Everyone has complained about the objective lens caps. I bought two B+W 52mm clear filters (007M) as added protection and the supplied caps click and stay on these filters much better than without them. The added plus is that it's easier to clean the binoculars. In case you mess up, you haven't scratched the costly lenses. I also love that you can dunk these in a bucket of water for better cleaning.
Conclusion:
The optics with the L lenses place these in the same category as the benchmarks. With the IS turned on, they are the best 10x despite them being much cheaper. Were it not for their weight and bulkiness, I'm sure these would be more popular. Also, Canon's support is subpar versus Swarovski and company. Binoculars are a very small segment of their business. Therefore, if something were to go wrong with the IS system, the repairs would be costly. This likely scares birders who are used to owning their quality binoculars for decades.
I don't expect these to last as long as Leicas. If the IS becomes defective after the 3-year warranty expires, I still have very high quality, although heavy, binoculars. Since I can handle the weight and their ergonomics, the L lens and the IS combined make these a keeper for me. A low-power astronomy binocular fan that does not have still hands cannot buy a better 10x stargazing instrument than these pair.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2013
The top two reviews with the most helpful votes have covered these binoculars so well, I will keep my review shorter and offer a different emphasis. These Canons were compared to the flagships from Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, and Nikon. With the IS system turned off, the views were on par or just below the other four. With IS turned on, there was no comparison. IS is the real deal! Once you use it (and can deal with the weight), you can't go back.
Background:
Some months back, I took up amateur astronomy as a hobby. I was told by veterans to start with binoculars and then progress to a telescope. Now that I have more experience, you should buy both. They are different tools for stargazing much like a pickup truck and a compact sedan are great for different activities.
In binoculars for astronomy, there are two camps: low power or high power magnification. Low power generally means 7x-10x and high power means 15x-30x. Aperture ranges from 35mm at a minimum up to 100mm - but anything larger than 42 or 50 mm gets very heavy to hold steady. So, a mount becomes necessary which kills the convenience factor. I'm in the low power camp for binoculars. I use them for sweeping the sky with a wide field of view and large exit pupils. I also think the biggest advantage over a telescopes is their portability, and how fast they are to use for a quick look. Thus, hand-held size and low power are key qualities. I prefer 10x over 7x because that extra magnification is very noticeable, but it still retains a good field of view.
The comparison test:
Since I'm a casual observer, I only knew important things like chromatic aberration (CA), contrast, sharpness, and brightness. I tested this pair with 5 other people who knew more about quality optics, and one person who knew nothing about them - 7 people total. In our group, we had the alpha brands (Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski) to use as a benchmark. They were the Swarovski 10x42 EL, Nikon 10x42 EDG, Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD, and the Zeiss Victory 10x42. To make it short, all four of these gave superb views with such crispness and clarity, we doubted that the Canons could live up to their level because the price difference was nearly $2,000. For more in-depth analysis, these models have many reviews on the Internet. They are the best to many people for a reason.
When the group held the Canon, you could tell their bulky size and weight were a huge negative mark against them. That being said, only two people (particularly my uncle, an avid birder and a lover of Swarovskis) thought their image quality was the same as the benchmark pairs with the IS turned off. We then took turns looking at some stars with the IS turned on. Everyone else gasped.
My uncle was in disbelief. No one could have predicted how important a still(er) image could be at 10x. Somehow, sharpness, colors, and details emerged that weren't there before in the benchmark pairs. Still, he gave the slightest edge to the Swarovskis because sweeping the binoculars with IS turned on introduced very tiny artificats. Nonetheless, if you swept the night sky with the IS turned off, locked onto a target, and then clicked the IS button on, the views became close to perfect. This inability to sweep the sky with IS on wasn't a big deal to me. Locking on objects and then clicking became second nature eventually. In the end, I only knew this as a casual observer: I couldn't hold the other pairs, which were considerably lighter, without the image bouncing around. With these, one button click solved the problem. My little sister, the neophyte of the group, agreed with me. She knew nothing about glass performance. Yet, she admitted the view of the Pleiades with IS on versus the others were incomparable.
My uncle still preferred his Swarovskis because he had miraculously still hands so the IS wasn't important to him at these magnifications. In addition, because of his age, the weight of these binoculars was too much with his neck craned up at the constellations. Everyone else younger than him could hold these just fine, and they gave the Canons the highest score.
Canon 10x42 vs the 15x50/18x50:
Before I decided to keep these, I also acquired the Canon 15x50 and 18x50 IS binoculars. The extra magnification was lovely, however, I still preferred the 10x42. Here's why: the L lens gave brighter, sharper, and extremely color-accurate views versus the non L lens glass. Even more, the field of view was greater in these (a big reason why I bought binoculars for astronomy in the first place). The exit pupil was larger too which my eyes can take advantage of in darkness. Lastly, the IS system worked better for the 10x (the shakes were more noticeable in the higher powered models); and these were much lighter than the 15x and 18x in spite of their waterproofing (which the others lack). I may have bought the 15x were it not for my telescope and my need to use the 10x for terrestrial purposes and at football games. Strangely, I did not notice much of a difference with the extra 8mm of aperture. I think the better IS in the 10x42 cancelled out this advantage.
Miscellaneous:
Everyone has complained about the objective lens caps. I bought two B+W 52mm clear filters (007M) as added protection and the supplied caps click and stay on these filters much better than without them. The added plus is that it's easier to clean the binoculars. In case you mess up, you haven't scratched the costly lenses. I also love that you can dunk these in a bucket of water for better cleaning.
Conclusion:
The optics with the L lenses place these in the same category as the benchmarks. With the IS turned on, they are the best 10x despite them being much cheaper. Were it not for their weight and bulkiness, I'm sure these would be more popular. Also, Canon's support is subpar versus Swarovski and company. Binoculars are a very small segment of their business. Therefore, if something were to go wrong with the IS system, the repairs would be costly. This likely scares birders who are used to owning their quality binoculars for decades.
I don't expect these to last as long as Leicas. If the IS becomes defective after the 3-year warranty expires, I still have very high quality, although heavy, binoculars. Since I can handle the weight and their ergonomics, the L lens and the IS combined make these a keeper for me. A low-power astronomy binocular fan that does not have still hands cannot buy a better 10x stargazing instrument than these pair.