12x50 binoculars: 36 models compared

What 12x50 is used for

The National Audubon Society explains the numbers this way: the first is magnification and the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. So 12x50 magnifies twelve times through 50 mm lenses.

Hand shake grows with power. Celestron says a tripod is not required at 8x to 12x but becomes necessary at 15x and higher, which puts 12x at the top of the hand-held range. The British Astronomical Association says binoculars giving more than 10x are difficult to hold and should be mounted.

For dim light, Nikon defines exit pupil as the objective diameter divided by the magnification, and ZEISS says dawn use needs at least 4 mm. At 4.2 mm calculated, 12x50 clears that line. If stars are your target, see binoculars for stargazing, or work out your own numbers with the exit pupil calculator.

How 12x50 models differ

Weight is the widest gap. The median is 29.2 oz, yet the lightest model weighs 22.8 oz: the Nikon Prostaff. Its field of view is 293 ft, and Nikon lists a roof prism.

ZEISS Victory SFL 12x50 has the widest field at 315 ft, against a median of 277 ft. It also lists 18 mm of eye relief and a 5.9 ft close focus, at 30.8 oz.

The RSPB says glasses wearers should look for at least 16 mm of eye relief. Of 35 models with a listed figure, 16 reach that mark, and the median is 15.5 mm. The ZEISS Victory SFL 12x50 has the longest figure among the standouts at 18 mm.

Close focus runs from 5 ft on Leupold BX-2 Timberline HD 12x50 to a median of 10 ft. Roof is the most common prism, and 10 models list ED glass. Vortex Triumph HD 12x50 sits in the lowest maker list price band, $100 to $200. For a lower power step, compare 10x50 or read 10x50 against 12x50.