20 Best Marine Binoculars With Image Stabilization (2023 Updated)

The optics are very good. Feels pretty good in the hand. Stabilized nicely when looking toward the horizon but seems to me to get a little shakier the closer I point toward the zenith – not really unexpected.

I don’t like that it does not come with caps for the objective lenses but it turns out that Canon 58mm camera lens caps fit just fine for me. Overall a really good binocular. Our 10×42 is probably a better balance of FOV, size, and weight for birdwatching but sometimes you just need a closer look!.

This basic review if for the most current Fujinon12x28 TS1228 that I bought from B&H in 2021. I am in Canada and could not source these binoculars from any of the major vendors here. I already own the Canon 10x42L IS, Canon 12×36 IS III, and the Canon 10×30 IS binoculars along with a variety of Zeiss, Steiner, and Pentax non-stabilized binoculars.

The Fujinon TS1228 are very enjoyable to use, particularly the quality of the images stabilization along with the apparent image sharpness. While the exit pupil seems small, in use these are very manageable for an inexperienced user, and make for an elegant birding device that is shareable with easy to return settings.

I like the battery type, the image stabilization switch, and the optical design much more than the Canon options I have. I am upgrading to the larger pair and replacing all my Canon with Fujinon after I just had to pay $330 to have a battery door replaced on the Canon 12×36 IS III because it would not stop falling off and dropping the batteries out the bottom.

Also, the Canon 12×36 III have a variety of aberrations (not the 10x42L) that make winter snow scenes unbearable if the are branches and other sharp borders with snow scenes, not the case with the Fujinon in same magnification.

The way I look at the Image Stabilized devices now, for two Canon battery-door covers I can just buy a brand new, far superior optical instrument from Fujinon through B&H and take my chances with Fuji Canada if they need a repair.

We live on the edge of a wilderness park, have many different guests over the years, and image-stabilized binoculars have been tremendously popular with guests, family, and also useful for my work. I have no reservations recommending the Fujinon over the Canon units I have commented on, and while the new Canon options may have better control of aberrations than the previous units, I shudder to think at how much the battery door will cost to replace, especially if it never worked properly to start with like my pair.

B&H bundled a mug in with the binoculars, I thought it was a gimmick, and it is actually a very nice insulated beverage holder that is easy to clean and works well – unrelated to the binoculars but a useful add-on from the most trusted vendor: B&H Photo – Video – Audio.

A good quality compact. stabilized binocular for a reasonable price and clear vision but has some negatives. The eye lens covers are detached and easily lost. There are no front lens covers. Setting up the eye lenses is quite important so it can be a bit fiddly when you let someone with different eyesight use it.

The degree of stabilisation is good but not great. It is ok from a moving car but strangely, it doesn’t damp down hand tremor enough so you get some wavering. Also the image tends to blur slightly for a fraction of a second with any small movement before stabilizing again.

This is a little disconcerting but you get used to it. The 12 x 28 ‘s are a powerful daytime binocular but their performance drops markedly after dark as can be expected from a 28mm front lens. They are not waterproof so keep them out of the rain and spray.

That said they are excellent for birdwatching and general observation. Their light weight makes the 12×28 a useful travelling companion. Prices for these seem to be quite variable so shop around.

The binoculars do what I needed, stabilize the view when cruising on a boat. We travel the Intracoastal Waterway a lot and there are a lot of No Wake signs with small print on them that add specific information.

They were near impossible to read when cruising. Now, no problem. There was one issue at first. Adjusting the distance between the eyepieces to your eyes (Adjusting interpupillary distance) is a bit of a challenge the first time.

The adjustment is so stiff, I was worried I was going to break the binoculars. I even began to think they were not adjustable which would seem a bit unbelievable. The instructions are not very good, minimalist at best which did not help.

Finally, I found a review that addressed the same issue and I felt more confident in forcing the adjustment. It worked and after the first time, they are stiff but fine. As the other reviewer said, you will never have to worry about them going out of adjustment accidentally.

The Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS 16×28 is the most balanced stabilised binoculars in the market at the moment. In my opinion, 16x is the best magnification is where the stabilisation system shines. Intricate details are magically visible when the stabilisation switch is turned-on.

Lightweight – weights just like a normal binoculars. Stabilisation works superbly. I like the switch mechanism of Fujinon, all you need is to flick the switch on and it stays on for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can toggle it to wake it up again.

I prefer Fuji’s stabilisation technology compared to Canon. Canon’s has a slight bit of unnatural ‘lag’ which made panning or following a subject unpleasant. Disadvantages. Not waterproof, need to be careful near splashes or rain.

Small exit pupil – due to the 28mm objective lens and high zoom, the image may look less bright especially in overcast. With the small exit pupil, adjusting to fit your pupil may take a few tries.

I bought these for a hunting in Alaska. We have a 10x Canon IS we bought about 17 years ago to use on our recreational Trawler, and they were great. When I saw these, they immediately went on my wish list.

I’m extremely satisfied with the 18×50 IS. Just know, to carry these and a spotting scope is redundant. And if on a mountain hunt, you’d probably not want the extra weight, these do have some mass and are considerably heavier than their 10x.

But, if you aren’t carrying these on a pack trip, I think you’d be very happy with the clarity and the stabilization function, and would recommend the purchase. The challenge for me is, I carry a large handgun in a chest rig for bear protection and ease of flying my bushplane, trying to find a way to stow them for easy access is still an ongoing process.

Buy it for the image stabilization, not the optics. The glass is just not very good with lots of purple fringing and just okay brightness and color. The Canon IS binoculars are all over the place in terms of quality.

My go-to bino is the Canon IS 15×50’s. They are consistently great. But some of the models are ungainly to use and some are not worth the $$$. The one Canon IS with good glass, the 10×42 WP’s are not comfortable or ergonomically well designed.

But for sure you can’t beat the Canon image stabilization system.

First of all I’m a Nikon guy but when it comes to distant objects and lenses I’ve got to admit that Canon leads the way. So this is my third pair of Canon binos in the last 20 or so years. The first two were 10×30 IS and they were great.

The only complaint is the sticky rubber coating. I hope there have been changes and my new pair of binos escapes this problem in the coming years. This pair felt cheaper than my first two. ,The focus wheel is too easy to turn but not to the point that I felt it needed to be returned.

The only big difference between my new binos and the old is the price. I recommend going with the 10×30 IS and saving hundreds of dollars. Image Stabilization is awesome, as a passenger in a car you can easily scan the highway.

Love the image stabilized binoculars. This is my second pair. Bought Canons’ 10×32 many years ago and love them. Wanted something with a bit more power. They are pricey, but if you want to see fine detail while bird watching IS binocular’s are the only way to go.

I can’t compare them to any other brands, but I am a Canon guy. Also have two Canon cameras. Must say, Canon could do better with the soft feel coating on the housing. Like many other people have commented, the coating gets sticky and needs to be removed.

At any rate I bought a second pair and I love them. I will give my 10×32 to my wife to use when we go birding.

I purchased a pair of Steiner 7X50 marine binoculars back in about 2005 while living on St Croix in the USVI. An excellent pair of binoculars that cost me around $950. Over the years I have totally enjoyed the clarity of any images I ever looked at on land, or at sea.

About eighteen months ago, during the annual pilgrimage of the Humpback Whales off the norther coast of the Dominican Republic I noticed that my binoculars were getting quite foggy. I initially thought it was simply residue on the lenses.

It turned out to be the spreading foggy look was happening inside the binoculars. About four months ago I finally wrote to Steiner inquiring whether I might be able to send my binoculars in for servicing, fully expecting to pay for any repairs after such a long time.

Steiner customer service replied to my inquiry with instructions on how to return my binoculars for service along with a shipping label. They said once they received the binoculars and had a chance to look at them that they would contact me with cost of repairs.

A couple months later I received a second message stating that my binoculars were being shipped back. They never mentioned anything about repair cost. Imagine my total shock when I opened the package they sent.

a brand new pair of the Steiner Commander 7X50 binouclars with compass at NO CHARGE TO ME. Thank you Steiner, not only do you make incredible products but you stand behind them with an iron clad warranty.

Best Marine Binoculars that I have owned or used. Fabulous field of view and bright. Compass is a plus and accurate. The weight actually adds to the stability but I will admit I was skeptical. I wish one of my friends had these to try as I would have bought them earlier.

They seem rugged and time will tell. Worth the money if you compare what you get for less(you get what you pay for). I’ll be handing these to my other boating friends to make them jealous!.

I thought when I purchased these I was buying the best from a company that would stand behind their product. WRONG! My set over the years has lost the resiliency in the cover, optics and the compass.

The cover has turned very nasty, sticky and corroded. These were kept in a case abord a vessel for 2 years then kept in my conditioned home. The Compass went out fairly early in its life. I returned for a repair only to be told they couldn’t be repaired.

All I wanted was the compass fixed. Then they suggested a discount repurchase “Non Negotiable” for around a $1000. 00 which I can purchase online for about the same price. No Life time warranty on these folks.

Thanks but no thanks Steiner. There is a lot better competition out there at far better pricing. You get what you pay for? Not always, sometime we want to pay more to just feel confident. This company really let me down.

I love these binoculars. I now have a lot more confidence identifying birds because I can clearly see their features so much better as a result of the 14x combined with the stabilization. Where they make the most difference is out on my kayak or motor boat but they also make a big difference on the land as well.

The lake I have my boat on is really tricky to navigate even with the GPS and these binoculars really help with spotting the buoys. I also like that they float if they find their way into the water although I haven’t tested that feature out yet.

They are heavy at 3 lbs (including rechargeable batteries and the clear filters). Consequently I have been using them with a binocular pack. Because of their dimensions they will not fit most binocular harness case systems.

For example the Badlands Bino X case that they say is for large binoculars will not fit (well actually, it will fit but too tightly to get them in and out easily). The culprit is the 6. 5 inch width and the 3.

2 inch depth. However, I finally did find one that works – the T. O. M. Horizons Binocular Harness case pack and have been pleased with it. The 48mm filter thread size is a nuisance because that is not a standard size but B&H does have both clear and polarized ones in 48 mm.

I leave the clear ones on all the time and use the polarized ones when I am on the water. There are two nice features I don’t have on my other binoculars. The 13mm eye relief locks into two shorter relief distances before you get all the way to 13mm.

The other is that the focus wheel is on the right side instead of the center. I find that makes it easier to reach compared to my center focus binoculars. The power and stabilization buttons are activated by the left hand.

The binocular specs say the eye width is adjustable between 60 mm and 70 mm. I was concerned about this because my wife has an interpupillary distance of 58 mm and definitely would not be able to use these binoculars with both eyes if the specs were accurate.

However, the 60 mm to 70 mm only refers to the scale shown on the binoculars and not to the actual eye width that can be achieved. The eye pieces can actually be moved beyond the scale markings by about 3.

5 mm in either direction so my wife has no problem using them.

We purchased the binoculars for our boat. I did a lot of research to compare available models. These binoculars are amazing. The clarity is outstanding. The compass is clearly visible as well. We also purchased the floatable neck strap to make sure we enjoy our binoculars for a long time.

Very easy to attach and very comfortable.

The compass seems to be subject to deviations and I am currently talking to Steiner Germany about this (Steiner USA didn’t answer some of my questions and even deleted them from their website rather than answer them), but as far as ruggedness and a clear, sharp image across almost the complete field of view go, these are a fabulous bang for your buck.

Do not be put off by the ‘Sports Auto Focus’; it is just a somewhat idiotic marketingspeak term for a very deep field of view. at the expense of close focus. But then again most of us buy binoculars to see distant things, not our own feet.

I am a Master Mariner in Cargo ships. I use that binoculars as a private purchase. Very good quality specially in law visibility conditions and slight fog that lights should be recognized asap, special during dense traffic in China.

The only cons is the weight that during Navigation, with one hand keeping binoculars and with other hand interact with ECDIS/ RADARS etc is little difficult specially in VTS, port or congested anchorage approach that effective conning and quick orders are essential for safe navigation.

Binculars are also very good responding to temperature alterations. For example from bridge to the wing and vice versa during navigation without fogging lenses. !!.

I did my research as I wanted to surprise my hard working husband with the best set of binoculars for the money I was willing to spend so he would enjoy our next cruise in 2021. I checked out 5 other sites before I found bhphoto website.

The price was comparable but it also came with a neck strap. The website was very easy for me to navigate and ordering was very simple. My order was delivered on the day I was told that it would: November 27th.

That was very important as it was my birthday and it was my wish to make my husband happy as he does so much for me. It was a success and he was very surprised to have a package that I wanted him to open.

His smile was the perfect ending to my birthday.

Midsized easy fit in your hands, perfect for an entry level binoculars. Eyepiece adjustment (if you need) is easy to make. And the illuminated compass (on demand) is most welcome for nighttime sighting.

With the included floating neck strap this Binocular is one of the best “Bang for the Buck” entry level models on the market!.

I have now used my fujinon mariner binos for 4 seasons of hunting. I wanted a rugged waterproof pair of binoculars because of the type of hunting I do. I course jack rabbits with sighthounds. I need to be able to watch the dogs as they are running at nearly 40 MPH and the auto focus is absolutely neccessary for this.

I have used these in the rain, fog, dusk, and even night. they always perform superior to all of my hunting companios, regardless of price. my only ccomplaints are that the neck strap that comes with the binos is a bulky affair intended to provide floatation in water.

A slimer land version would be nice. Also after 4 years of rugged use the lens covers have broken. They still work but no longer have the retainer straps and become seterated from the binos and I am sure will eventually get lost.

A diferent design that allows more flexibility would last longer. Minor complaints for such a solid performing bino.

Performance of the Fujinon binoculars is nothing short of outstanding! The Fujis compare very favorably with my Swarovskis and other high-end binos I’ve used/owned. Resolution is excellent center to edge and contrast and colors are vivid.

Of course,stabilization is the primary feature separating the Fujis from other binos as noted by other reviewers. A relatively shake-free image–especially important beyond 8x or unsteady environments (e.

g. ,boats,wind)–provides the ability to see more detail and for longer periods w/o hand tremors than any conventional binos. And compared to my Canon 15x stabilized binos (using a microprocessor to continuously change the shape of vari-angle prisms for a steady image thru +/-0.

7 degree of motion),the Fujis have a greater +/-5. 0 degree range along with being waterproof. In actual use, the difference is much more. When violently shaken, the Fuji image remains quite stable and appears to float while the Canon image unusably blurs w/severe shake.

The Canons do seem to control minor hand tremors just a bit better than the Fujis, their apparent field of view is wider, and the slightly greater magnification and larger objectives resolve detail better in low light and astronomical use.

The Fujis are superb when high power is needed, and can take the place of a low-power spotting scope w/tripod(some studies have shown using both eyes significantly increase effective magnification and mental details over observing w/one eye.

The Fuji’s stabilization and well-thoughtout design help offset its weight and make them very usable. The focus knob w/soft detents, that aid focusing, is well-placed w/minimum distance to infinity occurring in less than one turn.

Two left fingers easily control stability functions. Standby mode minimizes battery drain (the NiMh batteries have lost little power after 2 months of frequent use). Though I don’t wear glasses, permanently rolling down the eyecups increases the field of view w/no adverse effects.

Stiffness of the interpupillary turns out to be a plus–it pretty much stays set. Several concerns by other reviewers can be readily addressed. Weight: a binocular harness helps distribute weight(though the included flotation strap is great for marine use).

Filters and caps: the objectives take 48mm filters and caps stocked by B&H. The Sensi clip-on caps have molded-in eyelets,allowing thin cord to be used to retain the caps w/binos. Other notes: For eyecups kept rolled down,the included eyepiece cover diameter is too small.

A Vortex Ocular Rainguard offers a well-fitting option. For field use, the provided case (Pelican facsimile)is too bulky to be practicable. A Lowepro AW 100 case (or similar) accommodates the binos w/bino harness (but not the bulkier flotation strap).

The slip-lock system makes it easy to attach onto many Lowepro packs or a regular belt.

Aboard our 35 and 40 foot sailboats, cheaper binocs and expensive Steiners were what we always used. I finally caved and just got the Fujinon 14×40 stabilized binoculars on sale. These are Steiner killers.

It’s that simple. With the 14X magnification, I can see MUCH more than with the 7X50 Steiners and the image is stable. It’s not even CLOSE. Twice the magnification AND you get a steady image vs. traditional 7X50 marine binoculars.

If you need to read a marker, see a boat or spot a whale, these are the best deal going. 10mm less objective diameter would make you think they’d be less effective in the dark, but the stabilizing system more than makes up for it.

Use these and you can’t go back to ANY pair of binocular and I say that after using some of the best made. This is top technology paired with solid optics. (Sidenote: These are superior to the Canon versions, which use a system that results in a slightly softer image.

) Downsides? They’re not light, but neither are any good binoculars. They’re also less comfortable to hold vs. normal designs. For extended storage, remove batteries. Front elements can take a filter, but probably not required.

The floating strap is okay and the Pelican style case is nice. For sailors. absolutely the best thing to have on board. We went sailing with these and everyone loves them. Don’t try them or you’ll have to buy them.

They completely best every other binocular behind.

Advritized as new in open box but was used. Parts missing. Filed a complaint but got no response. Total rip off.

I did my homework before I bought this camera. My goal was to find a good digital compact “happy snap” camera for my personal use. I read the various reviews and user opinions and narrowed my search to a few cameras.

I didn’t want the dainty small digital cameras because I injured my left hand and I didn’t have the normal dexterity to comfortably grip anything that small. The ideal camera for me was something about the size of my old point and shoot film camera.

I checked out the supposedly improved Canon SX120 at my camera store and liked the feel of the camera in my hand. But, the reviews and user opinions of the updated SX120 weren’t as impressive as the reviews for last year’s SX110 model.

I finally picked up a refurbished Canon SX110 on eBay at a very reasonable price. As a die hard old school SLR film camera that moved on to a digital SLRs, I like the SX110’s option of adjusting to the manual mode where I can adjust the shutter speed, f/stops, ISO sensitivity, megapixel size and other features.

I also flip up the flash when I want it. I don’t need the 12 or 14 megapixel cameras that are the rage today. Unless you are making 16 x 12 inch prints or plan to crop a face out of a crowd shot, that much megapixel capability is overkill.

Don’t forget you may want to download these images over the internet to a drug store photo department or photo service. Your download times will be longer with larger megapixel images but without significant quality improvement, especially if you’re only ordering 3 x 5 inch or 4 x 6 inch prints.

My brother gave me sage advice on digital cameras. As a longtime owner of a digital camera, he recommended finding a camera with long optical zoom, not one that is 3x and digitally enhances to longer focal lengths.

He said the picture quality wasn’t always there when the images are digitally enhanced. The SX110 has a 10x optical zoom lens that will focus in close to about 10 inches. I can see the individual hairs on my dog in the images.

The pictures are so sharp they feel like they want to jump out of the computer monitor. If you want a something small, the Canon SX110 not a camera that will easily slip into your pocket. I don’t mind because I never liked the small miniature gears that control the zoom lens in the small digital cameras.

With my wife’s small digital camera, I always had problems zooming in and out to find the perfect lens focal length. My larger SX110 has bigger optical zoom lens gears inside and allows me better control of the image I want.

I love my Canon SX110. I just hope it lasts as long as my very old film cameras.

What I don’t like about this camera (Canon SX110) is its power supply. Besides the battery covering lid is hard to use, the camera sucks power like a suburban sucks gas, faster than I realized. For this reason, I bought rechargeable batteries (AA size) and thought that I could save some money in powering up the camera.

Unfortunately, it does no good. The rechargeable AA batteries nowadays are mostly of 1. 2 volt d. c. Even fully charged, the 1. 2 volt rechargeable batteries become dead after a few shots. I don’t know if they produce 1.

5 volt rechargeable batteries anymore. (I couldn’t find any now). The two problems seems to be depending of each other. That forces me to buy regular 1. 5 volt AA batteries. This in turn creates a third problem, which is the “environmentally unfriendliness”.

Now I have to think about how to manage the used batteries. What is good about this camera is its high resolution and big display screen (3″). The IS feature is good but does not mean much to me. To people with shaky hands, the IS feature will be good to them.

Another praise about this camera is its macro feature in close up shots. You can get a high resolution macro shot at object distant of 0. 5″ away from the lens. I would like to see two enineering disign improvements in Canon SX110: (1) Redesign its power supply so that Canon rechargeable batteries can be used, (2) Redesign its body material from plastic to stainless steel (full enclosure stainless steel) like that of Canon SD550 Power Shots.

Hope these help.

These binoculars were recommended due to the Fujinon name and I purchased them as a replacement to my older, less expensive and much heavier Bushnell’s. I needed a pair of Binoculars with both reticle and compass.

My initial purchase was defective upon receipt and returned for a faulty compass. I was swiftly sent a new replacement. Upon initial use, I found these binoculars to be very light and extremely comfortable to hold especially when used for long periods of time.

The lens quality was good but not as crisp as my old binoculars. Then after 2 years, not only did the compass suddenly became uncalibrated , but button illuminating the compass stopped working. At first I thought the later was due to old batteries.

However new batteries did not solve the problem and it appears that the button just stopped functioning. I have spoken to others who have purchased the same model and are having some similar complaints about the compass readings.

If you are looking for reliable compass readings I could not these binoculars.

My very first IS binos. Absolutely incredible. These units are high power so would be worthless without IS or a tripod and a tripod would be a detriment to functionality. I was so impresses that I bought the 12×36 version for my bird watcher wife.

She’s even more impressed than I am. There are many negative comments about the rubber coating turning to goo after a period. I hope this does not occur obviously but that would be the ONLY thing I could complain about.

I have top end Nikon, Boush & Lomb, and Swarovski binos. These out perform them all.

I use binoculars primarily for astronomy and the MM1050 Military-Marine 10 x 50 are a good choice. They have the design I like for astronomy, Porro prisms with individual eyepiece focusing, yielding a very sharp image.

The color rendition and contrast are good and they are sharp. They feel good in the hand are comfortable when wearing gloves. The 327 ft at 1,000 yards – or 6. 2 degree – field of view is good astronomy.

The weight is not too bad at 35. 3 ounces or roughly 2. 2 pounds however, I recommend a harness in lieu of a strap if the binoculars are going to worn for a long period of time, say more than 30 minutes.

Light transmission is not as good as my Steiner 8 x 56 ShadowQuest/Nighthunter binocular. This due to more than the 8 x 56 having a 7 mm exit pupil as opposed to the 10 x 50’s 5 mm exit pupil and the 8 x 56 letting in 25% more light.

The 10 x 50’s could benefit from the same glass used in the 8 x 56. Where the 10 x 50 is better than the 8 x 56 is the 10 x 50 is more compact and weighs less. The biggest inconvenience for me is the shallow eye relief, 16 mm.

I wear glasses for reading and take them off to use optics and more eye relief is generally better for me. I have to fold down the eye cups and gently and place the 10 x 50 to my face. After a little trial effort, I learned the correct distance to get a full image circle.

However, the 10 x 50 is comfortable on my face. Although there are better binoculars for astronomy, such as the 8 x 56 ShadowQuest/Nighthunter, the 10 x 50 is a good choice. They are quality binoculars which will get the job done and have better price and availability then the 8 x 56 ShadowQuest/Nighthunter.

I bought a set twenty years ago and they have served me well. The only negative I can think of is that the strap that comes/came on them is horrible…too thin for wearing all day on a hunt. Optics are great and l love knowing they are rugged, shock proof, and waterproof.

There are times I wish they had more magnification, especially as we all have been addicted to higher magnification riflescopes, but the quality of the lenses make up for that. Great binocs, and I am sure they are going to outlast me, and serve my son well after I can no longer hunt.

I endorse them absolutely and with no reservations. (The strap was a $10 fix, and now it gets five stars in every category. ).

After using and admiring the Steiner binos in the US Army; I wanted a pair of my own. Hunting Antelope and Mule Deer, and borrowing my buddies to spot game reminded me how much I wanted a set, and decided to buy a pair of my own.

I opted for the Military-Marine 8×30 model because it was a good compromise between power, brightness and portability. I’m very happy with my choice. They will be a constant companion for camping, hunting and fishing.

My friends and family that check them; out are all impressed with the brightness and clarity. Favorite feature is the “set it and forget it” focus. Thank you Steiner!.