Most popular
Swarovski CL Companion 10x30
- Most popular of the 10 compared
- 18 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Waterproof
10x30 binoculars: 10 models compared
Ten models share the 10x30 size, and their median field of view is 346 ft at 1,000 yards, with a median weight of 16.7 oz. Fields run from 270 to 362 ft.
Top picks
Lightest
Nikon Monarch HG 10x30
- Widest view of the 10: 362 ft
- Lightest of the 10: 15.9 oz
- Focuses as close as 6.6 ft
Closest focus
ZEISS Victory SFL 10x30
- 360 ft view, wider than the typical 346 ft
- 16.2 oz, lighter than the typical 16.7 oz
- 18 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
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- Exit pupil
- 3 mmcalculated
- Twilight factor
- 17.3calculated
- Median field of view
- 346 ftat 1,000 yd
- Median weight
- 16.7 oz
Most popular 10x30 with a listing: Swarovski CL Companion 10x30
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Every 10x30 binocular in the chart
10 10x30 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Maker list price | Amazon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon 10x30 IS II | 315 ft | 14.5 mm | 13.8 ft | 21.2 oz | ||
| Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 | 345 ft | 18 mm | 9.8 ft | 19 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon Prostaff P7 10x30 | 346 ft | 15.4 mm | 8.2 ft | 16.6 oz | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon Prostaff P3 10x30 Lowest maker list price band | 346 ft | 15.4 mm | 8.2 ft | 16.4 oz | $100 to $200 | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon Monarch M7 10x30 | 351 ft | 15.8 mm | 6.6 ft | 16.6 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Nikon Monarch HG 10x30 Widest field of view | 362 ft | 15.2 mm | 6.6 ft | 15.9 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| ZEISS Victory SFL 10x30 Closest focus | 360 ft | 18 mm | 4.9 ft | 16.2 oz | ||
| Opticron Imagic IS 10x30 | 270 ft | 15 mm | 9.5 ft | 18.8 oz | $500 to $1,000 | |
| Swarovski CL Companion Habicht 10x30 | 324 ft | 16 mm | 9.8 ft | 17.6 oz | over $2,000 | |
| Maven B.3 10x30 | 341 ft | 15.3 mm | 8.2 ft | 16.8 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
10x30 by the numbers
- Binoculars compared
- 10
- Median field of view
- 346 ft
- Field of view range
- 270 to 362 ft
- Median weight
- 16.7 oz
- Median eye relief
- 15.4 mm
- With 16 mm eye relief or more
- 3 of 10
- With an Amazon listing
- 6 of 10
What 10x30 is used for
The National Audubon Society explains that the first number is magnification and the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. A 10x30 pair magnifies ten times through 30 mm lenses, and its exit pupil works out to 3 mm.
Nikon says the human pupil opens about 2 mm in daylight, so a 3 mm exit pupil looks bright by day. ZEISS asks for at least 4 mm at dawn, so this size suits daylight more than dusk. The RSPB suggests 10x for greater distances.
The median close focus is 8.2 ft and the median eye relief is 15.4 mm. If you want a wider, brighter view at lower power, compare 8x30 binoculars. For more light at the same power, see 10x42 binoculars. Small pairs are collected in compact binoculars.
How the 10 models differ
Nikon Monarch HG 10x30 has the widest field at 362 ft and weighs 15.9 oz. ZEISS Victory SFL 10x30 gives 360 ft with 18 mm of eye relief and a 4.9 ft close focus.
The RSPB says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm of eye relief. Only 3 of 10 reach it. Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 clears the bar with 18 mm, and it weighs 19 oz with a 9.8 ft close focus.
The two stabilized models trade width and weight for steadiness. Canon 10x30 IS II shows 315 ft and weighs 21.2 oz. Opticron Imagic IS 10x30 shows 270 ft at 18.8 oz.
Three models carry ED glass, including Nikon Monarch M7, a 10x30 at 351 ft and 16.6 oz. Nikon Prostaff P3, also a 10x30 sits in the $100 to $200 maker list price band and matches the size median of 346 ft.
Other sizes and how 10x30 compares
- 10x42 binoculars
- 8x42 binoculars
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- 8x30 binoculars
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10x30 questions
What does 10x30 mean on binoculars?
10x30 means the binocular magnifies 10 times and each front lens is 30 mm across, so a subject looks 10 times closer than with the bare eye.
How bright is a 10x30 binocular?
10x30 gives an exit pupil of 3 mm and a twilight factor of 17.3. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark, so a larger exit pupil matters most at dusk and at night.
Which 10x30 binoculars work with glasses?
3 of the 10 10x30 models with a printed figure have 16 mm of eye relief or more, the minimum the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses. The median for the size is 15.4 mm.
What is the exit pupil of 10x30 binoculars?
It works out to 3 mm, calculated from the 30 mm lens and 10x magnification. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight, so that is enough for bright conditions.
Do any 10x30 binoculars suit eyeglass wearers?
Yes, 3 of the 10 models give 16 mm of eye relief or more, which is the least the RSPB advises for glasses. ZEISS Victory SFL 10x30 and Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 both list 18 mm.
How wide is the view in 10x30 binoculars?
The median is 346 ft at 1,000 yards. The range runs from 270 ft on the Opticron Imagic IS 10x30 to 362 ft on the Nikon Monarch HG 10x30.