Canon 10x42 IS Binocular Review

The Canon 10x42 IS binocular represents the state of the art in the Canon IS binocular lineup.

About a decade ago Canon, world-renowned for its optics and electronics, took IS technology originally designed for cameras and moved it into binoculars.

Canon 10x42 IS Binocular

The unit we tested, the Canon 10x42 L IS WP is sleek looking, armor coated, and uses multi-coated lenses.

They feature 10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses. Eyepieces move together or apart to adjust for each user's individual interpupillary distance.

Rubber eyecups twist in and out to accommodate eyeglass and non-eyeglass users.

We found movement of the eyepiece twist mechanism to be smooth yet stiff enough to lock into any selected position, four position detents are provided.

Canon Image Stabilization

Canon's IS system is called Vari-Angle Prism and claims a maximum correction angle of just under 1 degree.

Vari-Angle Prism uses two sensors, one vertical and another horizontal, to detect pitch and yaw motion. Sensors work in conjunction with a microprocessor to provide instant adjustment of the refraction angle to compensate for motion.

Focusing

The Canon 10x42 IS binocular is focused using the right eyepiece diopter and center-focus knob on the top of the case. We found the center-focus knob very smooth and easy to operate with just one finger.

The diopter scale has no numerical scale but does lock into place once set. The Canon binoculars earned an excellent focusing rating.

Operation

A single button push instantly turns on the Canon IS system with an LED on top indicating the system is operating. A second button push turns the IS system off.

If you forget the system will turn off automatically when the binoculars are pointed straight down (as they would be when carried with the neck strap) for a predetermined time.

Viewability

The Canon 10x42 IS binocular received a good rating from our testers for viewability. They thought these binoculars provided a fairly sharp image even though the Canon IS system could not cope with the pitching and rolling boat nearly as well as the best.

Testers were able to read the channel markers at 5000 feet but had difficulty reading the numbers on the navigation markers at the 1 nautical mile distance.

Odds and Ends

This Canon IS binocular ships with a padded zipper-lock case, objective lens covers, eyepiece covers, and a neck strap with a 2-inch wide pad for the back of the neck.

The Canons are smaller in size than the other IS binoculars we've reviewed. Testers found them easy to hold though with large hands your fingertips touch on top.

Access to the power supplying pair of AA batteries is through a locking door in the bottom of the case.

We found this Canon IS binocular to be the lightest we've tested, weighing in at just over 40 ounces.

They carry a 3-year warranty.

Final Thoughts

The Canon's are the smallest, lightest, and best looking of the bunch. They have the longest warranty too. Problem is, the IS system capabilities seem limited compared to others we've reviewed.

Buy the Canon IS binoculars here.