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8x32 binoculars: 28 models compared

The 28 models of 8x32 show a field of view from 265 to 499 ft, with a median of 408 ft. Each one works out to a 4 mm exit pupil and a twilight factor of 16.

Top picks

Widest view

Kowa SV III 8x32

  • Widest view of the 28: 499 ft
  • 17.1 oz, lighter than the typical 18.5 oz
  • Focuses as close as 6.5 ft

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Exit pupil
4 mmcalculated
Twilight factor
16calculated
Median field of view
408 ftat 1,000 yd
Median weight
18.5 oz

Most popular 8x32 with a listing: Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32

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Median width of view of 28 8x32 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.
Median width of view of 28 8x32 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.

Every 8x32 binocular in the chart

28 8x32 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.

ModelMaker list priceAmazon
Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32 426 ft 16 mm 5 ft 15.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 450 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 22.8 oz over $2,000
Celestron Nature DX 8x32 388 ft 17.5 mm 6.5 ft 18 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Razor UHD 8x32 472 ft 18 mm 5.9 ft 21.9 oz over $2,000
ZEISS Terra ED 8x32 405 ft 16.5 mm 5.3 ft 18 oz Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Victory SF 8x32 465 ft 19 mm 6.4 ft 21.2 oz Check price on Amazon
GPO Passion ED 8x32 410 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 17.6 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32 Lightest 420 ft 18 mm 3.9 ft 13.8 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8x32 429 ft 19 mm 5.9 ft 15.9 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Conquest HDX 8x32 420 ft 16.5 mm 4.9 ft 21.9 oz Check price on Amazon
Celestron TrailSeeker 8x32 409 ft 15.6 mm 6.5 ft 16 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Nikon EDG 8x32 408 ft 18.5 mm 8.2 ft 23.1 oz
Hawke Endurance ED 8x32 404 ft 17 mm 4 ft 22.4 oz $200 to $500
Hawke Frontier ED X 8x32 405 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 19 oz $500 to $1,000
Hawke Vantage 8x32 393 ft 16 mm 6.6 ft 14.7 oz $100 to $200
Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x32 408 ft 18 mm 7.5 ft 16.4 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell Spectator Sport 8x32 265 ft 17 mm 15.2 oz Check price on Amazon
Leica Trinovid 8x32 HD Closest focus 372 ft 17 mm 3.3 ft 22.2 oz Check price on Amazon
Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD-Plus 404 ft 13.3 mm 7.2 ft 18.9 oz
Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x32 423 ft 15 mm 5.9 ft 17.5 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Celestron Ultima 8x32 Lowest maker list price band 425 ft 15 mm 8.2 ft 18.3 oz under $100
Hawke Nature-Trek 8x32 388 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 18.4 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Fujinon KF 8x32 396 ft 14.5 mm 19 oz Check price on Amazon
Hawke Frontier HD X 8x32 405 ft 16 mm 8.2 ft 19 oz $200 to $500
Kowa SV III 8x32 Widest field of view 499 ft 15.5 mm 6.5 ft 17.1 oz $200 to $500
Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8x32 399 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 20.1 oz
Kowa BD III 8x32 XD 461 ft 16.5 mm 4.3 ft 18.5 oz
Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 8x32 Longest eye relief 324 ft 20 mm 16.4 ft 20.1 oz $100 to $200

8x32 by the numbers

Binoculars compared
28
Median field of view
408 ft
Field of view range
265 to 499 ft
Median weight
18.5 oz
Median eye relief
16.8 mm
With 16 mm eye relief or more
22 of 28
With an Amazon listing
15 of 28

The 8x32 binoculars with the widest field of view at 1,000 yd, from the makers' figures.

What an 8x32 is used for

ZEISS says an exit pupil of at least 4 mm suits dawn use. An 8x32 works out to exactly 4 mm, so it sits on that line. For a larger pupil, look at the 8x42 size or the 8x32 and 8x42 comparison.

Audubon says most birders prefer 7- or 8-power binoculars because they are bright and have a wide field of view. Audubon also says objectives larger than 42 mm are heavier and those smaller than 30 mm are too dim in poor light. An 8x32 sits between those two limits, and the median weight here is 18.5 oz.

The RSPB says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm of eye relief. In this size, 22 of 28 models reach that figure and the median is 16.8 mm. The binoculars for glasses wearers list narrows that group further.

How the 8x32 models differ

The Kowa SV III 8x32 has the widest view at 499 ft, against the median of 408 ft. The Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 8x32 has the longest eye relief at 20 mm, with a view of 324 ft.

Weight and close focus vary as well. The Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32 is the lightest at 13.8 oz and focuses down to 3.9 ft. The Leica Trinovid 8x32 HD focuses closest at 3.3 ft, and it weighs 22.2 oz. The median close focus is 6.5 ft.

Nine of the 28 models use ED glass. The Celestron Ultima 8x32 sits in the lowest maker list price band, under $100, and uses porro prisms; roof prisms are the most common type in this size. For a wider choice, see best binoculars compared.

Other sizes and how 8x32 compares

8x32 questions

What does 8x32 mean on binoculars?

8x32 means the binocular magnifies 8 times and each front lens is 32 mm across, so a subject looks 8 times closer than with the bare eye.

How bright is a 8x32 binocular?

8x32 gives an exit pupil of 4 mm and a twilight factor of 16. 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 8x32 binoculars work with glasses?

22 of the 28 8x32 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 16.8 mm.

Is an 8x32 bright enough at dusk?

An 8x32 has a calculated exit pupil of 4 mm and a twilight factor of 16. ZEISS says at least 4 mm suits dawn, so it just meets that line.

Do 8x32 binoculars suit glasses wearers?

Many do. The RSPB advises at least 16 mm of eye relief, and 22 of the 28 models in this size reach it. The longest is 20 mm on the Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 8x32.

How wide is the view of an 8x32?

The median field of view is 408 ft. The range runs from 265 ft to 499 ft, and the Kowa SV III 8x32 is at the top.