5 Best 10X50 Binoculars in 2022 (Wildlife & Astronomy)

The 10X50 binocular “size” is perfect for stargazing and wildlife, thanks to its large objective lenses and powerful magnification. This binocular is perhaps the largest size which can be easily operated without a tripod. For observing nature up close and at considerable distances, for viewing scenery in dim lighting conditions, and for all manner of outdoor activity, the 10X50 is one of the most useful and versatile binocular models around. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best 10X50 binoculars on the market and discuss some of their pros and cons.

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Best 10X50 binoculars

1. Vortex Optics 10X50 Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars

This Vortex Viper HD is great binocular for hunting because it is equipped with sturdy Viper HD roof prisms and a durable rubber-armored chassis. Vortex is a beloved brand amongst hunters and outdoorsmen thanks to its consistent build quality.

The lenses of the Viper HD are coated with XR anti-reflective, which provides full and bright views. That large 50 millimeter objective lens transmits plenty of light, allowing these binoculars to function well for dawn and dusk adventures.

Weather-proof and backed by Vortex’s “VIP” lifetime warranty, the Viper HD is an excellent investment which promises to handle whatever the outdoors can dish out. The Viper HD may be a bit pricy for a beginner, but optics enthusiasts will be pleased with its reasonable price tag which is clearly reflected in the quality of this product.

Aperture: 50mm
Magnification: 10x
Lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: More than 65 degrees
Eye relief: 17mm
Weatherproof: Yes
Weight: 46.24 ounces

2. Swarovski EL SWA35210 10X50 Binocular

If you are looking for the binoculars that are ergonomic, powerful, and capable of breathtaking precision, then we suggest the Swarovski EL SWA35210 binocular. The ergonomic design makes these binoculars easy to use comfortable to grip. For birdwatchers who spend hours staring up into the trees, this is an essential design feature. In addition to that, the Swarovski EL features a Porro prism system which delivers bright, sharp, and high-resolution images.

This versatile set of binoculars is handy enough to join you on the trails for hunting, birdwatching, and nature viewing, while also being powerful enough for stargazing and sightseeing.

The lenses of the Swarovski EL are fog and waterproof which means that rainy weather will not stop these binoculars from performing. Fully multi-coated against glare and scratching, the Swarovski EL is an ideal choice for many applications.

Aperture: 50mm
Magnification: 10x
Lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: 6.6 degrees
Eye relief: 20mm
Weatherproof: Yes
Weight: 72.8 Ounces

3. Celestron Granite 10X50 Binocular

Celestron is a trusted manufacturer which is known for producing binoculars that are beginner-friendly and budget-conscious without compromising on quality. The Celestron Granite 10X50 is no exception and provides high performance in a package that is intuitive and affordable, though certainly not “cheap,” for beginner users.

These lenses virtually remove chromatic aberration for high resolution and sharply defined colors. Additionally, the Celestron Granite is designed to handle dim lighting conditions. This makes them an especially strong contender for stargazing.

The Celestron Granite is tripod compatible. This means that users do not have to hold the binoculars in place and can achieve steady viewing for hours on end.

The Celestron Granite has twist-up eyecups so that you can comfortably position it with and without eyeglasses. Moreover, arsenic and lead-free lenses with dielectric and phase-coating delivers exceptional optical performance.

These binoculars are nitrogen purged to prevent fogging and moisture intrusion. Overall, these binoculars may be a bit unwieldy for hunting and hiking, but they are top notch for long viewing and make an excellent set of stargazing binoculars.

Aperture: 50mm
Magnification: 10x
Lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: 6.5 degrees
Eye relief: 16.9
Weatherproof: Yes
Weight: 48 ounces

4. Fujinon Polaris 10×50 FMTR Porro Prism Binocular

The Fujinon Polaris FMTR is equipped with a Porro prism system which transmits plenty of light. For nighttime viewing, this configuration is ideal. With a price tag that reflects its general build quality, the Fujinon Polaris is a tool which provides a high value at a price that is typical for higher end binoculars.

The Fujinon Polaris is waterproof, so you can confidently use it for plenty of outdoor purposes. It’s also a great option for astronomical viewing because of the Porro prism system which delivers a bright, sharp, and clear image even at night.

High contrast, bright, and distortion-free, the only major downside to the Fujinon Polaris is its weight. At 48 ounces, these binoculars are a bit on the bulky side and may suffer in the portability department for this reason.

Aperture: 50mm
Magnification: 10x
Lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: 6.5 degrees
Eye relief: 20mm
Weatherproof: Yes
Weight: 48 Ounces

5. Nikon 7245 10×50 EX Extreme All-Terrain Binocular

If you are looking for a durable and rugged set of binoculars for adventures, then we recommend the Nikon Action Extreme 7245. This is because the Action Extreme is built to handle tough conditions. It is weather-proof and resistant to damage from water and impacts.

Furthermore, the Nikon Action Extreme 7245 features Eco-glass lenses which deliver crisp, clear, and vibrant images with minimal aberrations or distortions.

Obviously built to handle the outdoors, the Nikon Action Extreme 7245 definitely does not stand up to the Vortex Viper HD or Swarovski EL when it comes to pure optical quality. At as little as a quarter of the price, though, the Action Extreme is an extremely handy outdoor companion.

Aperture: 50mm
Magnification: 10X
Lens diameter: 50mm
Field of view: More than 65 degrees
Eye relief: 17.2mm
Weatherproof: Yes
Weight: 36.68 Ounces

Is 10X50 better than 7X50 or 12X50?

7X50 binoculars

7×50 binoculars are great for general purposes and excel in most conditions. They lack some of the magnification power of 10×50s, but make up for this with wide fields of view. This is the standard size for marine binoculars. If you are interested in birdwatching or hunting then we recommend choosing something with higher magnification.

10X50 binoculars

10×50 is a little bit heavy as compared to the 7×50, but if you use a monopod or tripod then this is hardly an issue. 10×50 binoculars are versatile and are great for birdwatching and nature appreciation as well as stargazing and viewing larger and nearer celestial objects.

12X50 binoculars

12×50 binoculars are excellent for stargazing and astronomy. At this considerable size, though, a tripod will be necessary to eliminate shakiness. 12×50 binoculars tend to be quite heavy. High magnification will significantly amplify the effects of your hand movements and focusing on the target will become very difficult. 12×50 binoculars will also have a narrower field of view.

You get what you pay for

Binoculars come in a dramatic range of prices which often reflect huge variations in optical quality, build quality, and the availability of certain features.

Bargain up to $150 – If you are looking for a good bargain because budget is your concern, then this is a good category to consider. At this price point, binoculars are likely to include only the most basic of features and optical quality may be iffy. If you do your research, though, binoculars in this price point can be a perfectly serviceable starting point for optics beginners.

Budget $150-$250 – At this price range, recognizable brands start offering somewhat basic models which may be backed by warranties. Binoculars at this price range may be fully or partially multi-coated and may begin using high quality prism systems.

Mid-range $250-$500 – In the mid-range category, you will find binoculars which strike a nice balance between price and quality. Different models will have different features on offer in this range and you will have to research before making your investment. A range of sizes and applications will be available at this price. Because this range is nothing to sneeze at, be sure your binoculars are rugged and weather-proof to prevent unecessary damage from occurring.

Advanced $500-$1000 – If you are looking for binoculars that even a picky optics enthusiast will love, this is the starting price range. Within this range, most of the best brands will have flagship models available with precision optics and plenty of interesting features.

Professional $1000+ – This price category is for the pros. Every product here will be fully featured and will be made of premium quality materials. High powered magnification, large-diameter lenses, phase reduction coatings, water, and fog resistance will be available at this price.

Don’t forget additional features

Of course, there are some additional features to consider. These are function-based features and whether you need them at all depends quite a bit upon how you plan to use your binoculars.

Low light performance

Low light performance is always critical if you like to stargaze or do hunting at night. In such a scenario, you will need a set of binoculars that have large diameter objective lenses and can gather a good amount of light even in the dark. For superior twilight performance, the lens diameter should be at least 50mm. This is plenty for stargazing. Smaller lenses, such as the popular 42mm models, are plenty for nature viewing and birdwatching.

Image stabilization

Image stabilization is necessary if you have shaky hands. It is a useful feature if you’re boating and need to focus on an image. These binoculars tend to be expensive thanks to the inclusion of this technology.

Night vision

If you intend to use your binoculars in completely dark conditions, then choose night vision binoculars. These binoculars will have optoelectronic lenses that produce images according to the levels of approaching light into the lens. These lenses are also quite expensive.

Waterproofness

Water and fog proofing are some of the more important additional features to watch out for. The insides of these binoculars are completely isolated from the outside thanks to inert gases which prevent the intrusion of moisture.

RELATED: Best Zoom Binoculars for Birding & Wildlife in 2022

How to choose the right 10X50 binoculars?

In this section, we’ll quickly summarize some of the main specifications that you should know when choosing your binoculars.

Prism type

There are two different types of prism configurations used in these binoculars. One is the Porro prism system, while the other one is roof prism system. The Porro prism system has 2 right-angled prisms facing each other and they do not place the eye-piece in line with the objective lens. Porros tend to transmit more light, but they tend to be bulkier and less durable.

The roof prism either has two prisms with a gap or 2 prisms connected in V-shape. Roof prisms are vibrant and much more rugged.

Porros are the configuration of choice for most stargazing binoculars. For on-the-go adventures, though, a roof prism system is ideal.

Lens coating

There are different types of lens coatings available. These include coated, multi-coated, fully-coated, fully multi-coated as well as phase-coated. Lens coatings aim to reduce the loss of light and produce vibrant images with minimal glare.

Eye relief

This is the distance between the focal point and your eye. If you use glasses, then your binoculars will need to have a somewhat longer eye relief measurement in order to comfortably accommodate your glasses. At least 16mm is typical.

Materials

Especially for outdoor use, rugged materials are a major feature which impact the longevity of your investment. Be sure to closely read the specs of your binoculars before you make your purchase!

Field of view

Field of view is usually expressed in meters or yards and it is the width of the view provided by your binoculars at a certain distance. If magnification is high and the objective lens diameter is small, the field of view will be very small. Wider fields of view are important for navigating and tracking moving objects at great distances.