Steiner Observer 8x56 specs and field of view
The Observer 8x56 has a calculated exit pupil of 7 mm and a twilight factor of 21.2. Its 336 ft view is at 7 of 9 in 8x56, under the 375 ft median.
- Field of view
- 336 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 16 mm
- Weight
- 41.3 oz
- Exit pupil
- 7 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- 16 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Waterproof
Binocular Chart earns a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through these buttons.
Who the Observer 8x56 suits
Hunters in low light benefit from the 7 mm exit pupil. Eye relief is 16 mm, and the list shows a nitrogen fill and a roof prism.
At 41.3 oz it is above the 40.9 oz median, the eye relief is under the 18.5 mm median, and no close focus is printed.
Observer 8x56 is one choice among many, and the top binoculars compared covers the most popular ones. Observer 8x56 is one of 9 models in the 8x56 binoculars comparison.
Observer 8x56 specifications
Observer 8x56 figures as Steiner prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8x56 size.
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 56 mm |
| Prism type | Roof |
| Field of view | 336 ft at 1,000 yd (112 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 6.4° |
| Apparent field of view | 51° * |
| Eye relief | 16 mm |
| Eye spacing range | 58 to 74 mm |
| Weight | 41.3 oz (1,170 g) |
| Length | 3.1 in (80 mm) |
| Width | 5.7 in (144 mm) |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof |
| Fog-proofing gas | Nitrogen |
| Exit pupil | 7 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 21.2 * |
| Relative brightness | 49 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Observer 8x56 against other 8x56 binoculars
Observer 8x56 shows 336 ft at 1,000 yd, below the 375 ft median of the 9 8x56 models in the chart. At 41.3 oz it is heavier than the 40.9 oz median for the size.
Observer 8x56 and its nearest rivals
Observer 8x56 next to the 8x56 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Observer 8x56 | 336 ft | 16 mm | 41.3 oz | 7 mm | Check price on Amazon | ||
| Nikon Monarch 5 8x56 | 325 ft | 20.5 mm | 23 ft | 40.2 oz | 7 mm | Check price on Amazon | |
| ZEISS Conquest HDX 8x56 | 375 ft | 18 mm | 11.5 ft | 43.5 oz | 7 mm | Check price on Amazon | |
| Minox X-active 8x56 | 378 ft | 11.5 ft | 45.2 oz | 7 mm |
Other sizes of the Observer
Steiner makes the Observer in 3 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Observer 8x56 | 8x56 | 336 ft | 16 mm | 41.3 oz | 7 mm | Check price on Amazon | |
| Steiner Observer 8x42 | 8x42 | 348 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 25.3 oz | 5.3 mm | |
| Steiner Observer 10x42 | 10x42 | 300 ft | 16 mm | 6.6 ft | 24.9 oz | 4.2 mm |
Steiner binoculars
Observer 8x56 questions
Observer 8x56: does it work with glasses?
Observer 8x56 has 16 mm of eye relief, which meets the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses.
Observer 8x56: what does 8x56 mean?
Observer 8x56 magnifies 8 times through 56 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 7 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Observer 8x56: how wide is the view?
Observer 8x56 shows a view 336 ft wide at 1,000 yd, below the 375 ft median of the 9 8x56 models in the chart.