Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization II Binoculars

I bought the Canon 10x30 is ii binoculars as potential travel binos. They are much smaller and lighter than the newer Canon 10x32 third generation binos and have improved optics relative to the first generation Canon 10x30 is model. The at-home tests so far show the is ii are lightweight and exhibit good vision across the width of the lens viewing area. Stabilization is good in terms of neutralizing hand shake vibrations. As noted by many other reviewers the stabilization feature of the is ii make the 10x binos very usable for terrestrial viewing, and is simply amazing for astronomy viewing, capturing at least about 1-2 magnitude of dimmer stars. Airline luggage and weight restrictions are making carrying large binos in personal size luggage increasingly difficult. Other reviewers mentioning the lack of objective lens caps on the Canon 10x30 is ii as sold as a disadvantage are correct. The is ii only come with individual eyepiece lens covers. A search of the Internet did not reveal any solutions to this problem. However, I found on Amazon a 39mm spring-loaded pinch-type lens caps that seem to fit well into the tapered 38mm diameter lens shroud around the objective lenses of the Canon 10x30 is ii binos. It is not an exact fit. The lens caps are sold as 39mm in width, and the Canon 10x30 is ii have about a 38mm inside diameter around the front lenses, but a little pressure seems to result in a snug seating. You can but the spring-loaded lens caps on Amazon at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GM415EM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 As noted my other reviewers, individual lens caps for front or back binos lenses are also easy to misplace. I am trying out some lens cap tethers from ChromLives, sold in a 5-pack, that use an adhesive pad to secure the tether to the front lens cap, and elastic bands for wrapping around the eyepiece tubes. (See below link and photos). These tethers are of an ideal length, and even help secure the spring-loaded clips in place on the front of the binos. Two of the remaining three tethers could similarly be used to hold the eyepiece lens covers on the viewer side of the binos, but most users would probably prefer a single piece rain guard style eye lens cover that can be threaded on the bino neck strap to reduce parts and clutter. (The search is now on for a suitable rain guard cover.) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0731H4WND/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The combination of the 39mm spring-loaded front lens covers and tethers is also attractive because it permits use of the carrying case that comes with the Canon 10x30 is ii binos. Typical rifle scope style front flip covers add considerable length and/or width to the point the binos no longer fit in their as-sold carrying case. These style flip covers also probably will not fit on the thin lip around the front lens of the is ii binos. The only con experienced so far is that the spring inside the lens cover is very strong to the point that it sometimes pops off a cover when jarred due to the inner taper of the front lens housing. That is when the tether comes in very handy. I am attaching a few photos showing the 39mm lens covers and tethers mounted to the 10x30 is ii binos. Time will tell if this combination solves the rather apparent but minor drawback of the Canon 10x30 ii being sold without front lens covers and as sold with only individual eyepiece lens caps that can become lost easily in the field. So far these frong lens covers appear to be are making the Canon 10x30 is ii into a near ideal travel small-size stabilized bino.

A truly "Wow!" product. I know that image stabilization binoculars aren't new, but they are new to me. Looking through them for the first time, and then pressing that image stabilization button, it's like there's a wizard inside there. The image becomes more still, sharper, it's like magic. Truly amazing. While I'm sure the much more expensive Canon IS 10 x 42 L is even better, it's hard to imagine how much better they could be than the 10 x 30's. I had read a lot of good things about the image stabilization ability of the Canon binoculars, but seeing is believing. It really is a very impressive feature. I'll never buy another pair of non image stabilization binoculars again. Pros: The image stabilization feature is great! I like the way the lenses adjust for different users. Feels like a quality build. The IS button is perfectly located and very easy to push and hold. I was worried that having to hold the button down would be a problem. It isn't. Comes with a nice carrying case. Great value for the money. A nice balance of weight, price, quality optics, and power for the casual birder/wildlife observer. One of the people who uses it in our family can only use their right hand and so can't hold the binoculars with two hands. The image stabilization feature works out great for them and makes wildlife viewing and bird watching so much more rewarding. Cons: Attaching the carrying strap to the binoculars new out of the box was a tedious endeavor. It seemed way harder than it ought to of been. I was afraid I was going to scratch the binocular casing trying to get the straps started through the eyelets on the binoculars. I finally did it, though. Just a minor quibble. Also, there are no lens caps for one end of the binoculars! None at all. The other end has lens caps. That's just silly in my opinion. August 5th, 2024: These image stabilization binoculars have worked flawlessly since I bought them in 2017. However, I pulled them out of their case the other day and the battery door was open and the metal plate that is on the battery door was missing! So, the image stabilization feature no longer worked because the batteries wouldn’t function without the metal piece on the battery door. So, I ordered a replacement battery door for $49 off of e….Bay. With a pair of needle nose pliers and a very pointy “punch” tool was able to replace the battery door and all works well now. Still a terrific pair of binoculars that I would buy again in a minute.

I hope to offer some points I don't see in other reviews. I bought the Canon 10x30 IS II after using Orion 10x50 Ultraviews for over 20 years. The Canons are game-changers. Here's why: 1. OPTICS. The Canons have sharp, ghosting-free optics and a six-degree field. The quality of the optics is crucial because these binoculars will be brought to sharper focus than non-stabilized binos. 2. STABILIZATION. The experience of image stabilization was a "wow experience" from the start. After a little more experience, I realized how the stabilization helps me to see more detail. With non-stabilized binos you may perceive that you have achieved focus, but you haven't. With the Canons, you can focus before activating the stabilization, then engage the stabilization and see that even sharper focusing is possible. (Focus can be adjusted with the stabilization on). Thus, stabilization helps to see more in two ways) a. By removing shake and b. By achieving sharper focus. 3. BETTER THAN A TRIPOD. A tripod can hold binocs steady, but is only practical in a limited range without straining the viewer's neck - and a tripod can't really pan with fast-moving targets. The Canons give you a stable image at any angle and you can pan and focus with stabilization engaged. 4. MECHANICAL. These are light, ergonomic and easy to hold for long periods. The focuser is very smooth and fine. The eyecups are too deep for me so I keep them rolled back all the time. The strap is good and the padded case is very nice. The lack of dust caps for the objective lenses is hard to understand, but I just keep them in their case. I thought $500 was a lot of money for binoculars, but I am now hooked. Recommended.

These are excellent for wildlife spotting. Very sharp and clear optics. Easy to focus and image stabilization work extremely well HIGHLY recommend for anyone looking to purchase binos.

Review of: Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization II Binoculars (but see the end for my comment on the 12x36 IS III model). (I say that because somehow reviews show up on the wrong product sometimes.) TLDR: If you want daytime-use handheld binoculars, and are willing to spend this much, STOP READING NOW AND JUST BUY THESE. There's nothing better - for that purpose - at any price anywhere. If you want to use them at night or on a tripod...read on. I've owned at least 20 different pairs of binoculars. And this is my 3rd pair of Canon stabilized binoculars. (I also had a pair of the Fujinon's - Canon is better and lighter.) For GENERAL DAYTIME USE these are the best. Period. There are no better binoculars (for that purpose) on the market AT ANY PRICE. You can pay more, but you won't get better ones. When buying binoculars, optical quality is important, but even more important is SHAKE. If you can't keep your hands steady, you can't see much no matter how good the optics! If you've never tried stabilized binoculars and aren't sure if the improvement is worth paying for - it is. It's not a close thing - it's night and day. If you have tried them, you already know this. (Unless you're going to use them on a tripod; then the difference is small to none.) The Canons (all of them) have excellent optics, and the stabilization is as good as anyone's. My first stabilized pair was the Canon 15x50. They were great, esp. at night (astronomy) but they are HEAVY. You get tired of holding them quickly. And if you're going to put them on a tripod, you don't really need stabilization. Then I got the Canon 10x42L set. Much better and lighter. They're OK to use for 15 minutes at a time without getting too tired. Then I tried a friends pair of 10x30s (also Canon). I immediately ordered my own pair. These are SO much lighter and smaller they're amazing - just as sharp as the 10x42 set, but much easier to hold - you can use them all day. And far smaller; easier to pack for travel. The only performance difference vs. the 10x42 is that those (the x42s) are better at night and in low light. If that's your thing you might prefer those. But for daytime use you won't notice the difference in brightness, but you WILL notice the difference in size and weight. So get these. There's really nothing else that compares. === Edit August 2022 I just tried the 12x36 IS III model. I'm blown away - these are even better. I didn't think it was possible. They are a bit bigger, and a tiny tiny bit heavier. And they don't focus as close. Other than that - just even better.

Received my binoculars today and wow such clarity and the stabilization works great. I was concerned about the weight but after using them I have no concerns at all. These binoculars will travel well. I've always owned Canon cameras and lenses so I expect quality and these binocs did not disappoint. A couple of minor complaints: the strap was a pain to get through the slots; had to use needle nose plyers to force the straps through. Also I wish that instead of the stabilization button there was a switch similar to the switch one finds on Canon lenses so that stabilization stays engaged without having to hold the button down. Also Canon should include objective lens cover like they do for the eyepieces. BTW The objective lens covers that were recommended as an add-on by Amazon do not work. Will have to return those.

These have been great fun for all. We can see so many things we couldn’t before. An air show was super fun with these on hand. I’ve been impressed so far

Great camera for the cost. Love the stabilizer button! Excellent for bird watching.

Images are really sharp for a non-Apochromatic design. Binoculars is a little bulky and heavy. Rechargeable batteries are useable but do bring spares. IS works well but IS button cannot be locked and hard to reach for smaller hands.

Have a set of Sigs. These are not even close. May try an updated model. But these suck!

These binoculars are awesome! The clarity and brightness are superb and the image stabilizing takes viewing to a new level. We enjoy our hikes along the coast and can now see everything much more clearly than we could with our old binoculars. An unexpected bonus is the Canon 10x30 IS 11 binoculars work equally as well in the night sky. We recently enjoyed seeing the Persied meteor showers and have been able to see the moon and stars like never before. We are thoroughly enjoying them and have had a lot of use of them in the short time we have had them. We would highly recommend them to others.

As advertised This is my second set. They are excellent

These are simply amazing. Rock steady image even as you sweep following, say a bird or plane. Buy them!