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10x42 binoculars: 87 models compared

The 87 models in the 10x42 size have a median field of view of 336 ft, with a spread of 288 to 400 ft. Their exit pupil works out to 4.2 mm.

Top picks

Lightest

Hawke Vantage 10x42

  • Lightest of the 87: 19.4 oz
  • 16 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
  • Focuses as close as 8.2 ft

Widest view

Kowa SV III 10x42

  • Widest view of the 87: 400 ft
  • 19.6 oz, lighter than the typical 24.9 oz
  • Waterproof

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Exit pupil
4.2 mmcalculated
Twilight factor
20.5calculated
Median field of view
336 ftat 1,000 yd
Median weight
24.9 oz

Most popular 10x42 with a listing: Vortex Viper HD 10x42

Check price on Amazon

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Median width of view of 87 10x42 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.
Median width of view of 87 10x42 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.

Every 10x42 binocular in the chart

87 10x42 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.

ModelMaker list priceAmazon
Vortex Viper HD 10x42 341 ft 17 mm 6 ft 24.9 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 330 ft 15 mm 5 ft 21.3 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Victory SF 10x42 360 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft 27.8 oz
Canon 10x42 L IS WP 342 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 39.2 oz
Vortex Razor HD 10x42 362 ft 16.5 mm 6 ft 24.8 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42 325 ft 15 mm 6 ft 23 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 334 ft 17 mm 15.3 ft 22.9 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 362 ft 16.5 mm 8.2 ft 24 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Swarovski NL Pure 10x42 399 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 30 oz over $2,000
Swarovski EL 10x42 336 ft 20 mm 10.8 ft 29.6 oz $1,000 to $2,000 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Terra ED 10x42 330 ft 14 mm 5.3 ft 25.6 oz Check price on Amazon
Vortex Razor UHD 10x42 Closest focus 346 ft 16.7 mm 4.5 ft 32.2 oz over $2,000
Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 293 ft 18.4 mm 8.2 ft 22.6 oz $200 to $500
Nikon Prostaff P3 10x42 367 ft 15.7 mm 9.8 ft 20.6 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Steiner Predator 10x42 324 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 26.3 oz $500 to $1,000
Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 367 ft 15.7 mm 9.8 ft 21.2 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 363 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 24 oz $1,000 to $2,000 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell H2O 10x42 305 ft 15.6 mm 12 ft 22.2 oz Check price on Amazon
Celestron Nature DX 10x42 304 ft 14 mm 6.5 ft 22.2 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD 339 ft 15 mm 5.3 ft 25.8 oz
ZEISS Conquest HDX 10x42 345 ft 16.5 mm 6.6 ft 25.2 oz Check price on Amazon
Burris Droptine 10x42 330 ft 15 mm 7.5 ft 26 oz $200 to $500
Leica Noctivid 10x42 336 ft 19 mm 6.2 ft 30.4 oz Check price on Amazon
Celestron Outland X 10x42 289 ft 18.2 mm 13.1 ft 23.6 oz $100 to $200
Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 330 ft 15 mm 6.6 ft 24.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell PowerView 2 10x42 288 ft 15 mm 20 ft 22.2 oz
GPO Passion HD 10x42 366 ft 17 mm 6.5 ft 29.6 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Nikon Prostaff 5 10x42 294 ft 15.2 mm 16.4 ft 22.2 oz
Nikon Action 10x42 356 ft 16.1 mm 16.4 ft 27.9 oz $100 to $200
Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42 341 ft 16.6 mm 5 ft 24.3 oz $1,000 to $2,000 Check price on Amazon
Maven C.1 10x42 314 ft 16 mm 5.9 ft 24.5 oz $200 to $500
Bushnell R5 10x42 390 ft 17.5 mm 24.7 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Nikon EDG 10x42 342 ft 18 mm 9.8 ft 27.9 oz
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42 314 ft 17 mm 9.3 ft 25 oz $500 to $1,000
Athlon Midas G2 UHD 10x42 341 ft 15.2 mm 8.2 ft 23.3 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
GPO Passion ED 10x42 340 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 26 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Burris Signature HD 10x42 314 ft 8.2 ft 23.2 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Hawke Vantage 10x42 Lightest 304 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 19.4 oz $100 to $200
Celestron TrailSeeker ED 10x42 340 ft 15 mm 8.2 ft 23.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell R3 10x42 300 ft 17 mm 20.9 oz $100 to $200
Celestron Nature DX ED 10x42 309 ft 14.3 mm 6.5 ft 24.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Athlon Neos G2 HD 10x42 309 ft 14.1 mm 13.1 ft 21 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell Engage X 10x42 305 ft 18 mm 15 ft 21.9 oz Check price on Amazon
Celestron TrailSeeker 10x42 341 ft 15 mm 6.5 ft 22.4 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 10x42 342 ft 16 mm 6.2 ft 22.6 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell Engage EDX 10x42 340 ft 15 mm 8 ft 23.5 oz
Steiner Safari UltraSharp 10x42 317 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 25.4 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell R7 10x42 345 ft 18 mm 5 ft 27.2 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Hawke Nature-Trek 10x42 304 ft 13 mm 6.6 ft 22.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 10x42 315 ft 18 mm 7.5 ft 23.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Hawke Frontier ED X 10x42 336 ft 15 mm 8.2 ft 25.6 oz $500 to $1,000
Athlon Cronus G2 UHD 10x42 338 ft 19.3 mm 6.6 ft 27.8 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Leica Ultravid 10x42 HD-Plus 336 ft 16 mm 9.5 ft 26.5 oz Check price on Amazon
Burris Droptine HD 10x42 330 ft 7.5 ft 26 oz $200 to $500
Celestron Regal ED 10x42 Longest eye relief 340 ft 20.2 mm 4.9 ft 27.1 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Meopta MeoPro Air 10x42 HD 341 ft 20 mm 6.6 ft 30.3 oz
Celestron Ultima 10x42 342 ft 15 mm 13.1 ft 21.9 oz $100 to $200
Kowa BD III 10x42 XD 378 ft 16.5 mm 5.9 ft 21.5 oz $200 to $500
Athlon Argos G2 HD 10x42 319 ft 16.1 mm 13 ft 25.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Athlon Argos G2 UHD 10x42 319 ft 16.1 mm 13 ft 25.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Leupold BX-2 Timberline HD 10x42 342 ft 15 mm 7.7 ft 22 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Maven B.1.2 10x42 347 ft 17.8 mm 4.9 ft 26.8 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Steiner Observer 10x42 300 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 24.9 oz
Fujinon KF 10x42 315 ft 13 mm 23.6 oz
GPO Passion SD 10x42 314 ft 16.1 mm 9.8 ft 24.6 oz $200 to $500
Hawke Frontier APO 10x42 372 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 26.1 oz $500 to $1,000
Hawke Frontier HD X 10x42 336 ft 15 mm 8.2 ft 25.6 oz $200 to $500
Hawke Vantage HD 10x42 319 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 20.1 oz $200 to $500
Kowa SV III 10x42 Widest field of view 400 ft 15.5 mm 9.8 ft 19.6 oz $200 to $500
Minox X-lite 10x42 318 ft 9.8 ft 20.8 oz
Minox X-PRO 10x42 390 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft 30.9 oz
Minox X-TOUR 10x42 324 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 22.9 oz
Opticron Aurora BGA VHD 10x42 348 ft 18 mm 6.2 ft 24.9 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 10x42 339 ft 15 mm 8.2 ft 23.3 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Steiner BluHorizons 10x42 300 ft 16 mm 6 ft 25 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Steiner Ranger Xtreme 10x42 324 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 28.2 oz
Minox X-UNIVERSAL 10x42 345 ft 16 mm 4.9 ft 24.9 oz
Opticron Natura WA ED 10x42 345 ft 17 mm 6.2 ft 25.4 oz $200 to $500
Opticron Discovery WA ED 10x42 330 ft 16 mm 4.9 ft 23.6 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Steiner T1042 315 ft 16 mm 6 ft 26 oz $500 to $1,000
Steiner T1042r 317 ft 16 mm 6 ft 26.7 oz $500 to $1,000
Bushnell A5 10x42 325 ft 18 mm 8 ft 28 oz Check price on Amazon
Fujinon HC 10x42 342 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 27.4 oz Check price on Amazon
Hawke Frontier ED X Gen 2 10x42 367 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft 26.6 oz $500 to $1,000
OM System 10x42 PRO 326 ft 16 mm 4.9 ft $500 to $1,000
Athlon Talos G2 HD 10x42 319 ft 16.1 mm 13.1 ft 20.8 oz Check price on Amazon
Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 10x42 294 ft 15 mm 16.4 ft 22.2 oz $100 to $200

10x42 by the numbers

Binoculars compared
87
Median field of view
336 ft
Field of view range
288 to 400 ft
Median weight
24.9 oz
Median eye relief
16 mm
With 16 mm eye relief or more
57 of 84
With an Amazon listing
42 of 87

The 10x42 binoculars with the widest field of view at 1,000 yd, from the makers' figures.

What the 10x42 size is used for

The first number is magnification and the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters, as the National Audubon Society explains. Nikon defines exit pupil as the objective diameter divided by magnification, and for 10x42 that works out to 4.2 mm.

ZEISS says an exit pupil of at least 4 mm suits dawn use, so 4.2 mm clears that mark. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight, which leaves plenty of light in the daytime view.

The RSPB shop recommends 10x for greater distances, such as open country or large expanses of water. The British Astronomical Association says anything above 10x is difficult to hold, so this size sits at the top of the hand-held range. For the step down, see 8x42 against 10x42, or browse binoculars for birding.

How the models of this size differ

Field of view spreads widest. The Kowa SV III 10x42 shows 400 ft, well above the 336 ft median. The Hawke Vantage 10x42 shows 304 ft, but at 19.4 oz it is the lightest, against a median of 24.9 oz.

Eye relief centers on 16 mm. The RSPB shop says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm, and 57 of 84 models with a printed figure meet it. The Celestron Regal ED 10x42 has the longest, at 20.2 mm.

Close focus runs from 4.5 ft on the Vortex Razor UHD 10x42 to far longer distances, with a median of 6.6 ft. That Razor UHD also weighs 32.2 oz. Of the 87 models, 27 carry ED glass, and the Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 sits in the $100 to $200 maker list price band. Compare the full set in best binoculars compared.

Other sizes and how 10x42 compares

10x42 questions

What does 10x42 mean on binoculars?

10x42 means the binocular magnifies 10 times and each front lens is 42 mm across, so a subject looks 10 times closer than with the bare eye.

How bright is a 10x42 binocular?

10x42 gives an exit pupil of 4.2 mm and a twilight factor of 20.5. 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 10x42 binoculars work with glasses?

57 of the 84 10x42 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 16 mm.

Can you hold 10x42 binoculars steady by hand?

Yes, for most uses. ZEISS says free-hand binoculars typically have 7 to 10x magnification, and the British Astronomical Association says anything above 10x is difficult to hold.

Do 10x42 binoculars suit eyeglass wearers?

Many do. The median eye relief is 16 mm, the RSPB shop's minimum for glasses, and 57 of 84 models reach it. The Celestron Regal ED 10x42 offers 20.2 mm.

Are 10x42 binoculars bright enough at dusk?

They clear the usual mark. The exit pupil is 4.2 mm, and ZEISS says at least 4 mm suits dawn use.