Canon 10x42 L IS WP Image Stabilized Binoculars

Hesitant to buy again. My older model 12x36 IS II still works great optically. Unfortunately I agree with an earlier review here stating "rubber coating became sticky & started to melt off on your hands". What a mess.

We just got our new Canon binoculars. We have them all set-up and the neck cords attached. So far they are excellent. Bright and image stabilization is nice. Now we need to use them for a while to ensure their quality will stand up to reasonable use around the salt water.

I have only had my 10x42 L IS binocular for about 3 months and have not experienced any issues with the battery compartment or external rubber coating. The IS function snaps the view stable as soon as the top button is pressed. 1 click and the image is stabilized for 5 minutes. Very cool in comparison to requiring holding the button down as on my 12x36 IS bino.

My Canon 10 x 42 L IS WP binoculars are my perfect all around glass, I really like the design, the feel, the versatility this model offers, I think for my needs and liking which is close and long range birding, nature watching, stargazing, and with the option of screw in lens filters I can view the sun and its spots in full steady view now without the need of a tripod but still use one when I'm too tired. The IS feature really works!! AMAZING, Sci-Fi brought to life!, as for the image quality?, truly addictive!, I have a hard time putting these binoculars down, the images are just too beautiful, the colors and resolution of the sky and clouds near sunset with the birds flying in the backdrop is simply a breathtaking sight!, with a steadiness you can only get using a tripod, but the IS system does it with a push of a button, I've been using this awesome glass everyday for six months now and has become my absolute favorite binoculars over my other high end collection, I tell you get out and try a set for yourself, believe me I have been glassing as a hobby for over 45 years now and owned many many great optics and this Canon gem has got my full attention. AN EXCELLENT UNIT!

I owned this binocular and gave it to a friend with severe hand tremors. He was amazed that now he can see steadily. Before he could not use binoculars at all. Another friend with head and had tremors bought a pair and it solved his problems. I DO recommend the 4 year extended coverage! I have dropped Canon with this coverage and had great results with repairs.

Although heavy, this has been a game changer for me for hunting. I no longer carry a spotting scope. I could easily pick up game over a mile away, confirmed with a range finder, and tell if it was a buck or not. Though it’s heavier than equivalent 10x42s the stabilization changes everything and makes it worth it.

I bought this 10x42 IS in US about 5 years ago. The image & IS works great. Unfortunately, as others have complained that the rubber coating became sticky & started to melt off on your hands. It resulted in a very unpleasant experience when using it. I currently put talcum power to prevent the stickiness. But it is not a solution by any means. I would not recommend this product. Canon should use the same coating on their binoculars as on their L lense in my opinion.

The image stabilization is a great feature if want to look at something quickly without setting up a tripod.

The cover for the battery compartment is faulty. Inserted the batteries and the compartment does not close at all

Have two friends with severe tremors, one with head the other with hands. Both are keen naturalists. IS in their Canon Cameras work swell, but they had lost or were losing the ability to use binoculars. I referred both to the binocular. It gave both good steady viewing. Yes this binocular is bigger, heavier, and not as close focusing as the top of the line premium binocs but it is STEADY. The IS mechanism is the magic feature. You can have very light or very steady. You can't have both.

Have to return binoculars to Canon. The focus knob is too stiff to turn; by the time I'm focused, the bird is gone.

I've been using an old pair of compact binoculars for years, but when I saw the Canon sale on the refurbished units I jumped. They are larger than what I was using, but much more sophisticated. The image stabilization feature is really helpful.

The IS technology incorporated in the Canon 10x42 IS L series Water Proof binoculars is impressive. Image stabilization is rock solid and compares to the IS technology found Canon L series photo lenses. My only complaint is the rubber lens cover system because they don't stay on and are a distraction to the otherwise superior system . I have replaced the front cover with a pair of Canon snap-on 52mm lens caps and 52mm UV filters used with photo lenses for additional protection. The option to use a threaded photographic neutral density or yellow filter in bright snow or very sunny days adds a nice dynamic to viewing. I found the overall image quality and clarity of the glass to be exceptional and the IS system to be quiet, fast and easy to use.

I have had mine for about 4 years. They are truly the best binocs I’ve ever had...but, parts of the rubber cover are detirionating and the surface feels tacky. Also, any dust collects on those portions and seems impossible to remove. It seems to me that on equipment this expensive a better material should have been used. Will be calling tech support for advice, but it’s been my experience that once this process starts, it doesn’t quit.

The 10x42 IS binoculars are very nice and provide a sharp image which is perfect for bird watching and other uses. They are a bit on the heavy side but are still better for overall use than the comparable 12x36 IS binoculars that these are replacing. My issue with these binoculars is that the control circuitry for the image stablization started acting up after only 6 months. The button is supposed to latch (so that you don't have to hold it) and it is supposed to turn off after 5 minutes or when the binoculars are hanging down by the strap after use in the horizontal position. These features worked well until about 2-3 weeks before this review and we were finding that the batteries only would last for a day or two. For the high cost of the glasses, I expected better reliability and hope that when they come back from repair that we will get some useful service.

I own or have glassed with most of the Alpha offerings in the binocular world marketplace. Currently, I have several high end porros and top end roofs that offer superb FOV's with accurate color, detailed resolution, visual stereopsis and great build quality. They bring visual enjoyment of the world when I venture on bird or wildlife excursions. I use 7X to 12X optics (depending on venue) and prided myself on hand holding a steady image when using 10X to 12X binos. My past positive experiences using the Canon DSLR IS L-Glass lenses always intrigued me and spiked my interest to try the Canon IS offerings in binoculars. With the current excellent 10x42L IS sale (and reading great reviews all over the net), I ordered from B&H and began my comparative evaluations. I already understood the possible issues and positive features that the 10x42L was known for. Things like their bulkiness, heft, slow focus speed, lack of high-end ergonomics, quirky accessories and a short, non-transferable warranty period turn many off to the concept of these great optics. However IMHO, any of these possible turnoffs melted away as soon as I engaged their Image Stabilization Prowess...AMAZING! They possess excellent optics (very, very close to my venerable EL 10x50 SV's), and with their image stabilized feature turned on, the Detail, Resolution and Clarity of FOV makes even my glassing non IS steady hands Obsolete. I typically don't use any type of stabilization assist (mono, bi or tri pods) and with hand holding the 10x42L with IS engaged (convenient), I can easily view a superb, sharp and detailed point of interest as if I had my top end alpha pair of 10X on a tri-pod (inconvenient)!! Great Optics, Solid Build, Quality accessories, Quick and Very effective IS function and as a Porro II design, wonderful 3D viewing. Battery life using fresh Lithium's is superb (15 hrs of IS continuous use & charge still at 1.74V)! These unconventional binos now have a permanent place in my excursion outdoor back pack!

I picked up a pair of these a little over a year ago -- mostly for astronomy use, but I also use them for sailing. Binoculars are excellent for large structure / bright objects in the night sky -- they work especially well on large open star clusters. It's both challenging and fatiguing to hold binoculars steady-enough to see detail in the night sky, but the image stabilization calms the shaking down and makes it much more enjoyable to use (resting in a patio lounger makes it even easier). I've also used this to observe planets (namely Jupiter and Saturn). While they do work, the 10x magnification is a bit small to see much detail. You can make out the cloud belts on Jupiter and the rings on Saturn -- but only just barely. I'd suggest a higher powered pair (or a telescope) for use on planets. I also use these for sailing. Marine use was one reason why I opted for the fully waterproof binoculars vs. the weather-resistant alternatives. I've used other binoculars for marine use and once the binoculars exceed 7x magnification it becomes too difficult to hold steady (the higher the magnification, the more difficult it is to hold them steady enough). But once again, the image stabilization feature calms everything down and makes it easy to use 10x binoculars on a boat that's pitching and rolling with the waves. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries (Panasonic Envelops) to power these. I avoid using single-use alkaline batteries and if you do, remove them before storing the binoculars. Alkaline batteries will leak when drained. The eye-caps and lens covers are not attached to the binoculars themselves. They have a short lanyard designed to let you attach the lens covers and eye-cups (it covers both sides and is connect in the center) to the neck-strap. Some people prefer that the lens-caps be permanently attached but it really doesn't bother me. I do catch the lens covers sometimes falling off easily (but if attached to neck-strap with the lanyard as described in the instructions, you won't lose them.) The diopter adjustment (to correct for eye prescription) is only adjustable on the right-side. The idea is that you cover the right eye and focus the binoculars only for the left eye. Once focused, cover the left eye, and then focus the right-eye using only the diopter adjustment. The adjustment ring clicks forward/back to lock/unlock. So really you're just adjusting for the difference in eye prescription between your eyes. There are index marks so if you share the binoculars with others, you can quickly return them to the setting that works best for you.

I have two pair of Canon IS binoculars. I really think they are exceptional... when they work. My 10x42Ls just froze up again. The first time, only a few years ago, the repair was half the cost of a new pair as everything electronic needed replaced. I do not carry these often, perhaps four times a year. Pitiful. I'm about to leave on an annual trip and almost as if it were scripted, they died again. I couldn't be more disappointed. I believe I'll have them repaired, then sell them. The problem is that it's just about as expensive to repair them as what I'll get for them. It seems a sin to simply toss them in the trash but financially and time wise, this might just happen.

the Canon 10x42 IS binoculars are by far the best, most useful and most used, I own. This unit will focus to 8.5' from the viewer. Being a ammeter naturalist / photographer. One of the things I do with them is look at stuff that is only 10 or so feat away.. Dragonflies, butterflies , frogs, and so on. These work really well for this. Vibration is more noticeable at closer distances. The image stabilization plus the 10x magnification produce a nothing less than spectacular view at these close ranges. The 46mm objective lenses let enough light get through the instrument to use them in dark situation such as under the forest canopy and early in morning. There is a 52mm threaded ring like on cameras around the objective lenses. I put a small lens shade on each to help with the early morning low angle light. It also has the added benefit of protecting the lens without adding glass filtration. I usually carry them in the case strapped to my chest. I use the neck strap and an elastic belt through the provided belt loop on the back of the case. I am able to whip them out as needed and returning them as i move on. The case protects them and keeps the kayak paddle and my camera from banging into the unit. After a while you don't even know they are there. In summation - No I haven't mentioned the usually attributes. I have reviewed the ones which pertain to me. I use the binocular as an extension of my vision. The Canon 10x42 IS is a tool and one I can "now" not do without.

These are absolutely excellent binoculars. The image quality is far beyond any other pair that I tried at a professional binocular/scope shop, including pairs more expensive than this. No matter how in-focus they "look", you can always adjust slightly and the image seems to get even better. Image stabilization is profound, and if you are already fairly steady then you can get the image absolutely rock solid. My only complaint is that the distance between image centre and the outside of the eyepiece is a bit large, which means they squeeze my nose a bit. May be better on people with wider-set eyes. Other than that, no complaints and only praise.