Most popular
Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56
- Most popular of the 11 compared
- Lightest of the 11: 34.8 oz
- Takes a tripod adapter
15x56 binoculars: 11 models compared
The 11 models of 15x56 span 215 to 240 ft of field of view, with a median of 234 ft and a median weight of 45 oz. Each has a calculated exit pupil of 3.7 mm.
Top picks
Widest view
ZEISS Conquest HDX 15x56
- Widest view of the 11: 240 ft
- 18 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
Longest eye relief
Bushnell R7 15x56
- 235 ft view, wider than the typical 234 ft
- Longest eye relief of the 11: 19 mm
- Waterproof
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- Exit pupil
- 3.7 mmcalculated
- Twilight factor
- 29calculated
- Median field of view
- 234 ftat 1,000 yd
- Median weight
- 45 oz
Most popular 15x56 with a listing: Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56
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Every 15x56 binocular in the chart
11 15x56 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Maker list price | Amazon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Lightest | 230 ft | 15.6 mm | 14 ft | 34.8 oz | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Swarovski SLC 15x56 | 234 ft | 16 mm | 12.8 ft | 42.3 oz | over $2,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Bushnell Match Pro ED 15x56 | 236 ft | 18.5 mm | 13 ft | 52 oz | $500 to $1,000 | |
| ZEISS Conquest HDX 15x56 Widest field of view | 240 ft | 18 mm | 11.5 ft | 45.2 oz | Check price on Amazon | |
| Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 | 231 ft | 18 mm | 9.8 ft | 45 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Burris Signature HD 15x56 | 215 ft | 23 ft | 43 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | ||
| Maven B.5 15x56 | 236 ft | 17.8 mm | 9.8 ft | 45 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | |
| Bushnell R7 15x56 Longest eye relief | 235 ft | 19 mm | 13 ft | 53.3 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Athlon Cronus G2 UHD 15x56 | 235 ft | 18.5 mm | 13.1 ft | 45.2 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Meopta MeoStar B1 Plus 15x56 HD | 221 ft | 15.2 mm | 14.1 ft | 35 oz | ||
| Maven C.4 15x56 | 215 ft | 17.4 mm | 16.4 ft | 45.1 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
15x56 by the numbers
- Binoculars compared
- 11
- Median field of view
- 234 ft
- Field of view range
- 215 to 240 ft
- Median weight
- 45 oz
- Median eye relief
- 17.9 mm
- With 16 mm eye relief or more
- 8 of 10
- With an Amazon listing
- 7 of 11
What 15x56 is used for
A 15x56 pair magnifies fifteen times through 56 mm lenses. The National Audubon Society reads the two numbers this way: the first is magnification, the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters.
Celestron says a tripod is not required at 8x to 12x but becomes necessary at 15x and higher. That puts this size on a mount for long watching. Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 and Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 both list tripod adaptability in the makers' figures.
The calculated exit pupil is 3.7 mm. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight, so the view stays bright by day. ZEISS says at least 4 mm is wanted for dawn use, so 3.7 mm falls just short of that line as light fades. The twilight factor works out to 29, and relative brightness works out to 13.9.
How the 15x56 models differ
ZEISS Conquest HDX 15x56 has the widest view at 240 ft and a close focus of 11.5 ft. Burris Signature HD 15x56 sits at the narrow end with 215 ft.
Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 is the lightest at 34.8 oz, against the 45 oz median, and it carries a maker list price band of $200 to $500. Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 focuses down to 9.8 ft, and its band is $1,000 to $2,000.
Eye relief runs longest on Bushnell R7 at 19 mm. The median is 17.9 mm, and 8 of 10 models with a printed figure reach 16 mm or more, the minimum the RSPB gives for eyeglass wearers. Binoculars for eyeglass wearers covers that need across sizes.
Roof prisms are the most common type among the models that print one, and 5 of the 11 list ED glass. For the next step up in power, see the 18x56 size, or compare against 8x56. Best binoculars compared shows every size together.
Other sizes and how 15x56 compares
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15x56 questions
What does 15x56 mean on binoculars?
15x56 means the binocular magnifies 15 times and each front lens is 56 mm across, so a subject looks 15 times closer than with the bare eye.
How bright is a 15x56 binocular?
15x56 gives an exit pupil of 3.7 mm and a twilight factor of 29. 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 15x56 binoculars work with glasses?
8 of the 10 15x56 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 17.9 mm.
Do 15x56 binoculars need a tripod?
Yes, for long viewing. Celestron says a tripod is not required at 8x to 12x but becomes necessary at 15x and higher. Audubon adds that magnification also magnifies the small movements of your hand by the same factor.
Is 15x56 bright enough at dusk?
It is close. The calculated exit pupil is 3.7 mm, and ZEISS says at least 4 mm is wanted for dawn use. Bright daylight needs far less, since Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm.
Can eyeglass wearers use 15x56 binoculars?
Most can. The RSPB advises at least 16 mm of eye relief, and 8 of 10 models with a printed figure reach it. The median is 17.9 mm, and Bushnell R7 offers 19 mm.