Most popular
Nikon Monarch 5 8x56
- Most popular of the 9 compared
- 40.2 oz, lighter than the typical 40.9 oz
- 20.5 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
8x56 binoculars: 9 models compared
Nine 8x56 binoculars share a 7 mm exit pupil, and their fields of view run from 325 to 441 ft. The median model weighs 40.9 oz, so this size trades carrying ease for light.
Top picks
Lightest
Minox X-lite 8x56
- Lightest of the 9: 34.2 oz
- Waterproof
Widest view
Steiner T856r
- Widest view of the 9: 441 ft
- Longest eye relief of the 9: 23.4 mm
- Waterproof
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- Exit pupil
- 7 mmcalculated
- Twilight factor
- 21.2calculated
- Median field of view
- 375 ftat 1,000 yd
- Median weight
- 40.9 oz
Most popular 8x56 with a listing: Nikon Monarch 5 8x56
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Every 8x56 binocular in the chart
9 8x56 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Maker list price | Amazon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Nighthunter 8x56 | 405 ft | 66 ft | 38.5 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | ||
| Nikon Monarch 5 8x56 | 325 ft | 20.5 mm | 23 ft | 40.2 oz | Check price on Amazon | |
| ZEISS Conquest HDX 8x56 | 375 ft | 18 mm | 11.5 ft | 43.5 oz | Check price on Amazon | |
| GPO Passion 8x56 Lowest maker list price band | 389 ft | 19 mm | 8.2 ft | 40.9 oz | $500 to $1,000 | |
| Steiner Observer 8x56 | 336 ft | 16 mm | 41.3 oz | Check price on Amazon | ||
| Minox X-active 8x56 | 378 ft | 11.5 ft | 45.2 oz | |||
| Minox X-lite 8x56 Lightest | 336 ft | 9.8 ft | 34.2 oz | |||
| Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8x56 Closest focus | 375 ft | 16.3 mm | 7.5 ft | 39.9 oz | ||
| Steiner T856r Widest field of view | 441 ft | 23.4 mm | 66 ft | 42.3 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 |
8x56 by the numbers
- Binoculars compared
- 9
- Median field of view
- 375 ft
- Field of view range
- 325 to 441 ft
- Median weight
- 40.9 oz
- Median eye relief
- 18.5 mm
- With 16 mm eye relief or more
- 6 of 6
- With an Amazon listing
- 3 of 9
What 8x56 is used for
An 8x56 pair magnifies eight times through 56 mm lenses. Dividing 56 by 8 gives a 7 mm exit pupil, a formula Nikon, ZEISS and the RSPB all give. Its twilight factor works out to 21.2.
Nikon says the human pupil opens about 7 mm in the dark, so this size can pass nearly all the light a dark-adapted eye accepts. ZEISS puts the minimum for dawn use at 4 mm, which this size clears easily.
Practical Sailor calls 7x50 the traditional marine size because its 7.1 mm exit pupil suits low light. The 7 mm of an 8x56 sits almost level with it. The Astronomical League recommends objectives of 50 to 80 mm for deep-sky binocular work, and 56 mm falls inside that span.
The Royal Astronomical Society says large binoculars can be hard to use without a stand or tripod. At a median 40.9 oz, an 8x56 is a pair you may want to rest on a strap, a harness or a mount.
How the nine models differ
The Steiner T856r has the widest field at 441 ft, against a median of 375 ft. It also offers 23.4 mm of eye relief and carries a maker list price band of $1,000 to $2,000.
The Minox X-lite 8x56 is the lightest at 34.2 oz, and its 9.8 ft close focus is shorter than the 11.5 ft median. The Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8x56 focuses closest, at 7.5 ft, and weighs 39.9 oz.
Eye relief is generous. All 6 models that print the figure give 16 mm or more, and the median is 18.5 mm. The RSPB says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm. The Nikon Monarch offers 20.5 mm and uses ED glass, while the Steiner T856r reaches 23.4 mm.
Roof prisms are the most common design here. The Steiner Nighthunter 8x56 is a porro design with a 405 ft field and a 38.5 oz weight. The GPO Passion 8x56 has the lowest maker list price band, $500 to $1,000, with ED glass and a 389 ft field.
Where 8x56 sits among other sizes
If 56 mm lenses feel like too much weight, the 8x42 size keeps the same eight times magnification. For a steadier view at night, the 7x50 size is the classic alternative. Full lists of models are in best binoculars compared.
Other sizes and how 8x56 compares
- 10x42 binoculars
- 8x42 binoculars
- 10x50 binoculars
- 12x50 binoculars
- 8x32 binoculars
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- 10x25 binoculars
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- 8x30 binoculars
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8x56 questions
What does 8x56 mean on binoculars?
8x56 means the binocular magnifies 8 times and each front lens is 56 mm across, so a subject looks 8 times closer than with the bare eye.
How bright is a 8x56 binocular?
8x56 gives an exit pupil of 7 mm and a twilight factor of 21.2. 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 8x56 binoculars work with glasses?
6 of the 6 8x56 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 18.5 mm.
What exit pupil does an 8x56 have?
An 8x56 has a 7 mm exit pupil, from 56 mm divided by 8. Nikon says the human pupil opens about 7 mm in the dark, so the two match.
Is an 8x56 good for eyeglass wearers?
Yes, on the figures. All 6 models that print eye relief give 16 mm or more, and the RSPB says glasses wearers should look for at least 16 mm.
How heavy is an 8x56?
The median is 40.9 oz. The Minox X-lite 8x56 is the lightest at 34.2 oz, and the Minox X-active 8x56 is the heaviest at 45.2 oz.