Lizzy

The 13 Best Compact Binoculars For Bird Watching

If you are a birder or going on a birding safari, or even a hiker, you might wonder which binoculars are the best compact binoculars for bird watching.

Table of Contents

Today, I will review 13 different compact binoculars for you, so let’s go!

But first: why would you get a compact binocular for birdwatching?


To find out which type of binoculars you need, you need to think about the situation in which you will use the binoculars.

If you want a pair of binoculars to go fishing, for example, while just sitting on a chair, you might as well get a regular pair of binoculars..

But if you are going for a hike/safari/theater/birdwatching, it is handier to be able to have your binoculars fit in a handbag or backpack and thus get a pair of compact binoculars.

What To Look For And Considerations When Getting A Compact Binocular For Birdwatching?



1. Compact and lightweight.

An ideal compact binocular for bird watching is lightweight and easy/quick to use.

2. Magnification factor

You don’t really need an extremely large magnification factor for this, binoculars that have a magnification factor of 8x-10x are sufficient.

These are suitable for almost everyone because you can stabilize them more easily. When you have doubts, opt for an 8x magnification.

Having one with a wide view angle is useful, so that the bird that you are watching, doesn’t quickly disappear from your view.

3. Lighting Conditions

When choosing a compact binocular for birdwatching, pay close attention to the lighting conditions.

For more intense use in various climates, it is sensible to buy pressure-tight binoculars with a special (nitrogen) gas filling, as this prevents condensation on the lenses.

If you want to watch birds at night, you need to choose a high twilight factor and a large exit pupil of 5,2, for example. The higher this latter number, the better the device performs in low light.

4. How to carry the binoculars

Something extra that you could definitely use is a carrying strap for your binoculars when you take it on a hiking trip or on a boat. Trust me: that is not a luxury thing at all 😉

Are they easily positioned in your hands, do they feel comfortable to you, and do they focus easily?

Also, make sure to not see black borders around the eye view.

10 Best Compact Binoculars For Bird Watching – A Quick oversight

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Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars with Clear Low Light Vision

These binoculars are amongst the most affordable ones, but that has an effect on the quality. See full review.

Olympus Pathfinder EXPS-1

Binoculars with long eye relief, so they are easy for people with glasses, but there seems to be a black border. See full review.

Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars

This is a pretty decent pair of binoculars for a reasonable price, but it can get a little bit too heavy if you are birding for a longer time on end. See full review.

Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10x42mm Binoculars

These binoculars have an easy focus, but they should have included a simple neck strap. See full review.

Steiner BluHorizons Binoculars

More expensive binoculars, but perfect for outdoors with technology that adapts to weather circumstances. See full review.

Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars for Adults and Kids

These compact binoculars have good eye relief, but the field of view is narrower than stated. See full review.

Oberwerk 8×42 Sport ED Binocular

These binoculars have a perfectly clear view, but they are a tad more expensive. See full review.

Upland Optics Perception HD

These binoculars are very clear, but there seems to be a problem with quality control. See full review.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD

These binoculars have excellent sharpness, but the locking mechanism to prevent the diopter setting from being inadvertently changed is difficult. See full review

ZEISS Terra ED Binoculars 

Perfect clarity, but there seems to be some issues with the eyecups. See full review

 Maven C1 12X42mm ED Binoculars

Very clear binoculars, level of Swarowski binocs, but too bad that they are missing a case. See full review

Steiner Peregrine Binoculars

High-end binoculars with a perfectly clear view, but a bit more pricey. See full review

Olympus 8 X 42 PRO Binocular

Chrystal clear optics binoculars, but the price/quality might be too much. See full review

Product Number 1: Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars.


Stars:


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 25 Millimeters
  • Magnification Maximum: 12
  • field of view: 273ft/1000yds
  • the diameter of the eyepieces: 15 mm
  • prism type: BAK4 prism texture
  • Near focus: 5 m
  • The angle of field: 7,5°
  • dimensions: 4″ lg x 4″w x 2-1/2″
  • weight:  0.65 pounds
  • best to use: birding, concerts, sightseeing, watching animals
  • Made from “soft touch plastic”
  • comes with a case and cleaning cloth


Pros

  • Has long eye relief combined with a large eyepiece; so it is suitable when wearing sun/eye-glasses
  • Very affordable
  • Durable device
  • It comes with a neck strap convenient for adults and kids to carry everywhere.
  • It can also work in a low-light environment (early morning or late afternoon)

Cons

  • These compact binoculars can not be used in heavy rain or wet weather for a long time or used underwater
  • Can’t work in the dark/not suited for stargazing
  • the field of view is pretty narrow compared to some other birding binoculars
  • For this price, you can not expect a very good quality lens or good construction.
  • The widest setting for the eyes of these binoculars isn’t sufficient for many adults

My Final Conclusion.

These compact binoculars are amongst the cheapest on the market, but personally, I wouldn’t purchase these for serious birdwatching.

Although they probably are good enough if you just want to watch the birds in your garden.

Product Number 2: Olympus Pathfinder EXPS-1-10×42 Binocular


Stars:


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 and the lens is Aspherical
  • Magnification Maximum: 10
  • prism type: Porro BaK-4 prisms
  • Near focus: ?
  • eye relief: Long 11mm eye relief
  • dimensions: 7.7 x 6.7 x 3.6 inches
  • weight: 1.73 lbs
  • best to use: bird watching, hiking, wildlife observing
  • comes with: Fully Multi-Coated Lens with UV Ray Protection, a shoulder strap
  • Made from: rubber
  • color: black


Pros

  • the long eye relief makes it easier to use with glasses
  • perfect for birdwatching!
  • extremely good sharpness and contrast
  • ideal for astronomical observations
  • you could read a newspaper from 5 meters away with these binoculars
  • the price/quality ratio is superb

Cons

  • the lens protectors seem to come off quite easily, beware of losing them
  • there seems to be a black border that you can’t get rid of
  • the shoulder strap is not handy
  • the eyecup design is quite hard

My Final Conclusion:

I think that these compact binoculars would be perfect for birdwatching, but I would not purchase them for hiking because of easily losing the eye protectors.

Product Number 3: Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars



Stars:


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50 Millimeters
  • Magnification Maximum: 12x magnification
  • field of view: 273’/5,2°
  • eye relief: 15,0
  • prism type: roof prism, HD
  • dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 5 inches
  • weight: 29.5 Ounces
  • best to use: hunting, birding, hiking, outdoor sports
  • comes with: A handy, glassPak binocular harness
  • Made from: aluminium with rubber armor
  • Color: black/grey/green




Pros

  • Adjustable eyecups twist up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses
  • Binoculars are tripod adaptable
  • water and fog-proof performance in all kinds of environments
  • easy to hold
  • wide enough field of view for birdwatching
  • great clarity
  • lovely design

Cons

  • not suitable for children/adults only
  • if you do a lot of birdwatching continuously, these might get a little too heavy
  • the eyecups are quite hard
  • No shoulder strap option for the case
  • In moist circumstances, like on a ship, lenses fog easily

My Final Conclusion.

As it is hard to get almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon, and lots of people have rated these binoculars, I would definitely purchase this product.

Product number 4: Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10x42mm Binoculars



Stars:

5 stars

Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 millimeters
  • Magnification Maximum: 10
  • field of view: unknown
  • eye relief: adjustable
  • prism type: BAK 4 Prisms
  • dimensions: 4.75w X 6” L
  • weight: 1.75 lbs
  • best to use: birdwatching, outdoor sports, watching animals in the wild
  • comes with: a field-ready case that can be used as a chest harness, lens covers, and lens cloth
  • Made from: aluminum
  • Color: shadow grey



Pros

  • 100% Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
  • lightweight and ergonomic
  • lifetime guarantee
  • the product is solid and high quality
  • easy to focus and very clear sight

Cons

  • these are not autofocus
  • they should have included a simple neck strap for the binoculars
  • 2 people said that the front trim plate immediately fell off.
  • the eye cups seemed “loose”

My Final Conclusion:


These binoculars seem to do their job well for the price!

Product number 5: Steiner BluHorizons Binoculars



Stars:

4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 10x
  • field of view: 5 feet
  • prism type: unclear
  • dimensions: 4.9 x 5.8 x 2.4 in.
  • weight: 26.1 oz
  • best to use: praised by birders, hunters, mariners, aviators, and even security and military forces
  • comes with: adaptive lens technology, flexible cups so that users with glasses can fold them down, comes with a neoprene pouch
  • Made from: a mix of materials

Pros

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Ergonomic eyecups, keeping side light, wind, dust, and glare from your eyesight
  • terrific modern design
  • they are very compact and handy to use
  • The adaptive lens technology ensures the best view under the sun. It gives a clear image without a shimmer from water, sand, snow, or sky. Also fog proof.
  • waterproof
  • binoculars are very easy to adjust
  • quite sturdy

Cons

  • the best quality means a higher price 😉
  • the average eye relief makes these binoculars not have 5 stars
  • there is a problem with the straps to the pouch: you have to share the strap between the binoculars & the pouch

My Final Conclusion:

This is a little more expensive pair of binoculars, but it is worthwhile if you are birdwatching or hiking in different weather circumstances and it has a nice form of technology!

Product number 6: Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars for Adults and Kids


Stars:

5 stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 8 x
  • field of view: 8,1°
  • Field of view at 1000 yards: 426 ft
  • prism type: Compact BAK4 Roof Prisms
  • Near focus: 6,5ft
  • Eye relief: 17,2
  • Interpupillary distance: 57-74mm
  • dimensions: ‎5.2 x 3.3 x 5.7 inches
  • weight: 1.56 Pounds
  • best to use: Hiking and Outdoors, Birding, Hunting and Shooting or Sports
  • comes with: Lens caps, Soft-sided case, Binoculars, Cleaning cloth, Padded neck strap
  • Made from: magnesium-designed chassis, rubber coating
  • color: a type of grey-green




Pros

  • Suitable for kids as well
  • Waterproof
  • for all-weather brightness and clarity
  • Lifetime Transferable Warranty
  • Compact size for an 8×42 and ergonomic
  • good eye relief
  • super bright binoculars

Cons

  • field of view is narrower than stated
  • The focus ring has noticeable play
  • optically the sweet spot is very small
  • The rear lens cap assembly sits very tight on the eyecups

My Final Conclusion:

I am planning another trip to South Africa next year, and I am going to try this one out, so an in-depth review of these binoculars is on the agenda!

Product number 7: Oberwerk 8×42 Sport ED Binocular


Stars:


4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: available in 8x and 10x, the latter is best combined with glasses
  • field of view: 8.1°
  • eye relief: 18 mm
  • prism type: Roof Prism
  • Near focus: can focus as close as 6 feet away
  • dimensions: 6 x 2 x 5 inches
  • weight: 1.48 lbs
  • best to use: hiking, outdoors, birding, wildlife viewing
  • comes with: Twist-up eyecups, no harness, but comes with two straps and a nylon case.
  • Made from: magnesium-alloy construction, with green rubber armor
  • Color: black with red touches




Pros

  • eliminates false color, and more accurate color reproduction
  • weatherproof
  • super clear optics
  • super design feels like a luxury design
  • very stable and sturdy, you can hand them to the next generation

Cons

  • not many available ratings
  • if we’re talking about compact binoculars, these are a tad more expensive

My Final Conclusion:

I would definitely buy these binoculars, they look like quality!


Product number 8: Upland Optics Perception HD



Stars:


4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 10x
  • field of view:113m field of view at 1000m
  • prism type: unclear
  • Near focus: unknown
  • eye relief: 17.2mm eye relief
  • dimensions: 4.9 x 2 x 5.5 inches
  • weight:1.44 lbs
  • best to use: watching sports, birdwatching, hunting
  • comes with: Soft carry case, flip-down lens protectors, lens cloth, and neck strap
  • Made from: rubber
  • Color: black


Pros

  • lifetime warranty
  • waterproof and fog proof
  • Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. 
  • very clear
  • easy to adjust
  • easy to hold

Cons

  • it seems it’s hard to contact the company when your binoculars are broken
  • doesn’t seem very durable
  • bad quality control

My Final Conclusion:

For this price and a few negative reviews on the quality, I would doubt buying it myself, to be honest.

Product number 9: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD



Stars:

4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 10x
  • field of view: it mentions “Ultra wide field-of-view with long eye-relief”, but not exactly how much
  • eye relief: unclear
  • the diameter of the eyepieces:
  • prism type: ROOF prism ultra HD
  • Near focus: Close focus (ft/m): 6.5/1.9
  • dimensions: 5.39 x 4.02 x 6.89 inches
  • weight: 0.71 Kilograms/25 ounces
  • best to use: birdwatching, hunting
  • comes with:  soft case and neckstrap
  • Made from: magnesium
  • Color: camouflage


Pros

  • waterproof
  • easy and comfortable to use
  • the camouflage print makes it ideal for birdwatching and hunting
  • overall image sharpness, image-edge sharpness, and brightness are excellent
  • The rubber covering on these binoculars is ribbed for a secure grip in wet conditions
  • excellent price/quality score

Cons

  • The interpupillary distance adjustment (width), and the main focus are somewhat stiffer
  • The locking mechanism to prevent the diopter setting from being inadvertently changed is difficult on these binoculars
  • The twist-up eyecups on the Bushnells have a limited range, and no detents and the right eyecup rises noticeably higher than the left, so attention has to be paid to their respective levels.

My Final Conclusion

I would definitely buy these binoculars, as they give a sharp image that I am looking for


Product number 10: ZEISS Terra ED Binoculars



Stars:


4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 8 x
  • field of view: 442 ft. @ 1,000 yds.
  • prism type: unknown
  • Near focus: unknown
  • Exit pupil diameter: 4mm
  • eye relief: 16,5 mm
  • dimensions: 4.6 x 4.9-inches
  • weight: 18 oz. / 510 g
  • best to use: hunting, outdoor sports, and birding
  • comes with: rain guard, objective lens covers, a case, and a neck strap
  • Made from: SCHOTT ED – glass with a hydrophobic multi-coating
  • color: black



Pros

  • waterproof
  • light and robust
  • these binoculars have a great size for birding
  • they are quite sturdy
  • terrific clarity
  • compact and lightweight

Cons

  • there seem to be some issues with the eyecups
  • the build quality seems not so great
  • might not be the best for hunting

My final conclusion:

These binoculars might be a little too heavy for hunting but seems perfect for birdwatching.


Product number 11: Maven C1 12X42mm ED Binoculars



Stars:

4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 10x
  • field of view: FOV is 262ft @ 1000y
  • eye relief: 15mm
  • Prism type: Schmidt-Pechan
  • close focus view: 1.8 M or about 6 ft
  • Exit pupil: 3,5 mm
  • The angle of field: 6.5 degrees 
  • dimensions: 5 x 2.1 x 5.7 inches
  • weight: 1.54 lbs
  • best to use: hunting, outdoor sports, hiking, and birdwatching
  • comes with: 4 protection lens caps: bottoms with elastic straps over the bottom of the binoculars and tops you attach to the supplied well-cushioned shoulder strap
  • Made from: polymer
  • Color: orange and grey



Pros

  • Waterproof, fog proof, and scratch resistant
  • these have just the right weight for birdwatching
  • easy to focus
  • very clear binoculars
  • colors come in true version
  • suitable in any weather circumstances and freezing temperatures

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a case
  • Focus adjustment on one eye only
  • Could be a tad too heavy for your purpose (hiking)

My Final Conclusion

These binoculars seem to do a very good job, as much as the top-of-the-bill binoculars from Swarowski. Too bad about the missing case though.


Product number 12: Steiner Peregrine Binoculars



Stars:

4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 10x
  • field of view: 326 feet at 1000 yards
  • prism type: unknown
  • Near focus:fast close focus
  • dimensions: (HxWxL): 6.9 x 4.73 x 2.5
  • weight: 26.3 oz
  • best to use: birdwatching at any distance, sporting events, hunting and more
  • comes with: a heritage warranty, includes eyepiece and objective covers, a neck strap, and a Nylon carrying case with shoulder strap.
  • Made from: blended materials
  • color: black



Pros

  • heritage warranty for a lifetime
  • German quality, prized by sportsmen and hunters, birders and marines
  • high image stability
  • bright image
  • wide field of view
  • a perfectly clear view in all kinds of weather circumstances
  • waterproof, shockproof, fog proof

Cons

  • a bit higher in price, but no negative points to be found

My Final Conclusion:

If I had the funds, I would definitely purchase these binoculars, they have super overall quality and are perfect for birdwatching!

Product number 13: Olympus 8 X 42 PRO Binocular



Stars:


4 and a half stars


Technical details:

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
  • Magnification Maximum: 8x
  • field of view: 7.5 Degree field of view
  • prism type: Roof prism design with dielectric reflective multilayer coating
  • Near focus: unknown
  • dimensions: 5.5 x 5.2 x 2.1 inches
  • weight: 1.50 lbs
  • best to use: birding, outdoor sports, hunting
  • comes with: Case, Strap, Eye Piece, Lens Caps, Objective Lens Caps
  • Made from: not available
  • Color: charcoal black




Pros

  • can be submerged in 3 feet of water for 5 minutes without leaking
  • Crystal clear optics
  • Lightweight yet sturdy
  • very good image quality
  • construction, ergonomics and armoring are good

Cons

  • Made in China
  • price/quality seems somewhat off balance
  • not enough purchases to get a decent general review

My Final Conclusion:

For this price, I would hesitate in buying these binoculars, as not many people have reviewed it yet.

Some FAQs on the best compact binoculars for bird watching


I have gathered more questions that you might have on compact binoculars for bird watching and answered all for you in this paragraph.

Is 8x42 or 10x42 better for birdwatching?

If you plan to use the binoculars for more than just birdwatching, binoculars with 8x magnification are the most popular choice. 
With 8x binoculars you have a much larger field of view than binoculars with 10x magnification or more, this makes bird watching a lot easier.

Other things to look out for when purchasing compact binoculars for birdwatching?

It is a lot easier to have compact binoculars for birdwatching that are lightweight, have a wide view, and have an ergonomic strap so that your arms don't get tired quickly when birding for hours on end.

Wich type of binoculars are best for birdwatching?

Most birders have a preference for binoculars with a wider view of 8X for birdwatching, as you can more easily follow the birds while they are flying.

Are these type of binoculars suitable for stargazing?

There is no short answer to this, as lots of these are suitable to watch the stars, but in some, cheaper ones, that isn't always the case. So you need to check out each review on these compact binoculars.

Or you can ask the seller of certain binoculars this question to be sure!

Check out this blog post on everything you need to know about binoculars for a safari!


My Final Conclusion.


I hope to have informed you enough about the 13 best compact binoculars for bird watching.

If you have any more questions, please leave a comment below in the comment section.

As I love to watch and photograph birds myself, I would love to see your pictures as well, so you can share them as well on my Facebook group if you like.

I wish you happy birdwatching!

Kind regards,

Lizzy

I now have a YouTube channel as well!

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4 thoughts on “The 13 Best Compact Binoculars For Bird Watching”

  1. Thanks for this helpful guide on the best compact binoculars for bird watching. For starters, it’s helpful to know that compact binoculars make a great choice because they are portable enough to keep nearby in a handbag or backpack. I have a larger set that I use at home, but they would be too cumbersome to keep on me at all times. Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons of these choices – I found a couple that look perfect!

    Reply
  2.  To find out which type of binoculars you need, you need to think about the situation in which you will use the binoculars.
    If you want a pair of binoculars to go fishing, for example, while just sitting on a chair, you might as well get a regular pair of binoculars..
    But if you are going for a hike/safari/theaterr/birdwatching, it is handier to be able to have your binoculars fit in a handbag or backpack and thus get a pair of compact binoculars.

    Reply

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