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8x42 binoculars: 75 models compared

Divide 42 by 8 and the exit pupil is 5.3 mm. The 75 models of this size have a median field of view of 393 ft and a median weight of 24.2 oz.

Top picks

Lightest

Kowa SV III 8x42

  • 413 ft view, wider than the typical 393 ft
  • Lightest of the 75: 19.2 oz
  • 20 mm eye relief, enough for glasses

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Exit pupil
5.3 mmcalculated
Twilight factor
18.3calculated
Median field of view
393 ftat 1,000 yd
Median weight
24.2 oz

Most popular 8x42 with a listing: Celestron Nature DX 8x42

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Median width of view of 75 8x42 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.
Median width of view of 75 8x42 binoculars at 1,000 yd, against the 340 ft median of every size.

Every 8x42 binocular in the chart

75 8x42 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.

ModelMaker list priceAmazon
Celestron Nature DX 8x42 388 ft 17.5 mm 6.5 ft 22.2 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 393 ft 17 mm 5 ft 21.8 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Viper HD 8x42 409 ft 18 mm 6 ft 24.5 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 335 ft 19.5 mm 8.2 ft 22.2 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Terra ED 8x42 375 ft 18 mm 5.3 ft 25.6 oz Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 435 ft 17.1 mm 8.2 ft 23.6 oz $500 to $1,000
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 377 ft 20.2 mm 9.8 ft 20.3 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Razor HD 8x42 388 ft 17.5 mm 6 ft 24.2 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 377 ft 20.2 mm 9.8 ft 20.8 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Crossfire HD 8x42 393 ft 17 mm 6 ft 23.8 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Bushnell H2O 8x42 (roof) 360 ft 17 mm 15 ft 22.7 oz Check price on Amazon
Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 Widest field of view 477 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 29.5 oz over $2,000 Check price on Amazon
Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 426 ft 17.2 mm 6.5 ft 23.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Celestron Outland X 8x42 368 ft 17.8 mm 13.1 ft 23.6 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Vortex Razor UHD 8x42 420 ft 17.2 mm 4.5 ft 32.2 oz over $2,000
Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 435 ft 17.8 mm 6.6 ft 23.5 oz $1,000 to $2,000 Check price on Amazon
Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 393 ft 17.8 mm 6.5 ft 24.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Victory SF 8x42 444 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft 27.8 oz
Leica Noctivid 8x42 405 ft 19 mm 6.2 ft 30 oz Check price on Amazon
Hawke Vantage 8x42 367 ft 18 mm 8.2 ft 19.6 oz $100 to $200
GPO Passion ED 8x42 426 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 26 oz $500 to $1,000
Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 426 ft 17 mm 6.5 ft 23.1 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x42 366 ft 22 mm 7.5 ft 24.2 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 393 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 23.7 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
ZEISS Conquest HDX 8x42 384 ft 16.5 mm 6.6 ft 25.2 oz Check price on Amazon
Bushnell PowerView 2 8x42 290 ft 16 mm 25 ft 23 oz
Nikon Action 8x42 420 ft 17.3 mm 16.4 ft 27.9 oz $100 to $200
Steiner Predator 8x42 375 ft 17.3 mm 6.6 ft 26.6 oz $500 to $1,000
Athlon Midas G2 UHD 8x42 426 ft 17.2 mm 6.5 ft 23.3 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 399 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 24.9 oz $200 to $500
Hawke Frontier ED X 8x42 426 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 25.6 oz $500 to $1,000
Nikon EDG 8x42 405 ft 19.3 mm 9.8 ft 27.7 oz
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 8x42 376 ft 18 mm 8.7 ft 24.5 oz $500 to $1,000
Bushnell R5 8x42 390 ft 17.5 mm 24.7 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Burris Signature HD 8x42 330 ft 8.2 ft 23.2 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Nikon Prostaff 5 8x42 330 ft 17.5 mm 16.4 ft 22.2 oz
Bushnell R3 8x42 325 ft 21 mm 21.3 oz $100 to $200
Hawke Nature-Trek 8x42 388 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 22.5 oz $200 to $500
Leica Trinovid 8x42 HD 372 ft 17 mm 5.9 ft 25.8 oz Check price on Amazon
Maven C.1 8x42 341 ft 19.5 mm 5.9 ft 24 oz $200 to $500
Bushnell R7 8x42 425 ft 19 mm 5 ft 27.2 oz $500 to $1,000 Check price on Amazon
Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD-Plus 389 ft 15.5 mm 9.8 ft 27.9 oz
Athlon Neos G2 HD 8x42 367 ft 17 mm 13.1 ft 21 oz $100 to $200 Check price on Amazon
Celestron Ultima 8x42 393 ft 18 mm 13.1 ft 21.9 oz $100 to $200
Kowa BD III 8x42 XD 429 ft 17.2 mm 5.9 ft 21.3 oz $200 to $500
Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 8x42 377 ft 18.5 mm 5 ft 23.6 oz $1,000 to $2,000 Check price on Amazon
GPO Passion HD 8x42 375 ft 19.5 mm 6.5 ft 29.3 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Athlon Argos G2 HD 8x42 371 ft 17.3 mm 13 ft 25.5 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Athlon Argos G2 UHD 8x42 371 ft 17.3 mm 13 ft 25.5 oz $200 to $500
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 426 ft 17 mm 6 ft 23.5 oz
Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x42 393 ft 19 mm 4.9 ft 23.9 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Steiner Observer 8x42 348 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 25.3 oz
Celestron Regal ED 8x42 Longest eye relief 420 ft 22.5 mm 4.9 ft 27.1 oz $200 to $500 Check price on Amazon
Fujinon KF 8x42 393 ft 15 mm 23.6 oz
Hawke Frontier APO 8x42 426 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 26.1 oz $500 to $1,000
Hawke Frontier ED X Gen 2 8x42 426 ft 22 mm 4.9 ft 27.9 oz $500 to $1,000
Hawke Frontier HD X 8x42 426 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 25.6 oz $200 to $500
Hawke Vantage HD 8x42 372 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 21 oz $200 to $500
Kowa SV III 8x42 Lightest 413 ft 20 mm 9.8 ft 19.2 oz $200 to $500
Minox X-lite 8x42 372 ft 9.8 ft 21.5 oz
Minox X-PRO 8x42 462 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft 31.7 oz
Minox X-TOUR 8x42 387 ft 17.9 mm 8.2 ft 24.2 oz
Opticron Aurora BGA VHD 8x42 423 ft 20 mm 6.2 ft 25.2 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 Closest focus 393 ft 22 mm 4.3 ft 23.2 oz $500 to $1,000
Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8x42 375 ft 18.5 mm 6.6 ft 28.2 oz
Meopta MeoPro Optika HD 8x42 393 ft 17 mm 8.2 ft 24.7 oz
Minox X-UNIVERSAL 8x42 426 ft 18.4 mm 4.9 ft 25.6 oz
Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 8x42 357 ft 20 mm 16.4 ft 22.6 oz $100 to $200
Opticron Natura WA ED 8x42 426 ft 18.5 mm 6.2 ft 26.2 oz $200 to $500
Maven B.1.2 8x42 420 ft 18.1 mm 4.9 ft 26.8 oz $1,000 to $2,000
Burris Droptine HD 8x42 393 ft 7.5 ft 26 oz $200 to $500
Fujinon HC 8x42 408 ft 18 mm 6.6 ft 27.7 oz Check price on Amazon
GPO Passion SD 8x42 366 ft 17.3 mm 9.8 ft 24 oz $200 to $500
OM System 8x42 PRO 395 ft 18 mm 4.9 ft $500 to $1,000
Athlon Talos G2 HD 8x42 371 ft 17.9 mm 13.1 ft 20.8 oz Check price on Amazon

8x42 by the numbers

Binoculars compared
75
Median field of view
393 ft
Field of view range
290 to 477 ft
Median weight
24.2 oz
Median eye relief
18 mm
With 16 mm eye relief or more
70 of 72
With an Amazon listing
31 of 75

The 8x42 binoculars with the widest field of view at 1,000 yd, from the makers' figures.

What 8x42 is used for

The National Audubon Society explains that 8x42 binoculars magnify the image eight times and have 42 mm objective lenses. Nikon gives the exit pupil as 5.3 mm for this size and says a larger exit pupil gives a brighter view in dim light.

ZEISS says dawn use needs an exit pupil of at least 4 mm, and 8x42 clears that figure. The size works out to a twilight factor of 18.3 and a relative brightness of 27.6, both calculated from the numbers on the barrel.

Audubon says most birders prefer 7x or 8x power for brightness and a wide field. The RSPB suggests 8x for woodland, close range or poorer light. Celestron says a tripod is not required from 8x to 12x. For a direct comparison with more power, see 8x42 against 10x42.

How the 8x42 models differ

Field of view runs from 290 to 477 ft. The Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 is widest at 477 ft, weighs 29.5 oz and carries a maker list price band of over $2,000. The Vortex Viper HD 8x42 shows 409 ft in the $500 to $1,000 band.

Weight swings the other way. The Kowa SV III 8x42 is lightest at 19.2 oz, against the 24.2 oz median, and still offers 20 mm of eye relief.

Eye relief has a median of 18 mm, and 70 of 72 models with a printed figure give 16 mm or more, the RSPB's minimum for eyeglass wearers. The Celestron Regal ED 8x42 is longest at 22.5 mm. Binoculars for glasses wearers lists the long-relief picks.

Close focus has a median of 6.6 ft. The Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 focuses to 4.3 ft, useful for insects and plants. Roof prisms are the most common design, and 26 models use ED glass. See best binoculars compared for every size, or try the exit pupil calculator.

Other sizes and how 8x42 compares

8x42 questions

What does 8x42 mean on binoculars?

8x42 means the binocular magnifies 8 times and each front lens is 42 mm across, so a subject looks 8 times closer than with the bare eye.

How bright is a 8x42 binocular?

8x42 gives an exit pupil of 5.3 mm and a twilight factor of 18.3. 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 8x42 binoculars work with glasses?

70 of the 72 8x42 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 18 mm.

Is 8x42 a good size for eyeglass wearers?

Yes, in most cases. Of the 72 models with a printed eye relief figure, 70 give 16 mm or more, which is the RSPB's minimum for glasses.

Do 8x42 binoculars need a tripod?

No. Celestron says a tripod is not required from 8x to 12x, and ZEISS puts free-hand binoculars at 7 to 10x.

How well does 8x42 work at dusk?

It works well, because the exit pupil is 5.3 mm. ZEISS says at least 4 mm is needed for dawn use.