I've been a binocular junkie for years. I've specialized in high end glasses, particularly Leitz, Swarovski and Hensoldt (when I could get them). Two years ago, in anticipation of a trip to Kenya where I would spend the days in a moving LandRover, I thought I'd try the (then new) Cannon 10x30 Image Stabilizers. I was just blown away! The optics are excellent and the weight is surprisingly light. But the image stabilizing feature is just fabulous. There is simply no wiggle when holding these binoculars (and I'm a big coffee drinker). While they won't compensate for big rolls, jumps and twists in a moving car, they eliminate all the vibration and result in much less eye fatigue. In my opinion, it's a case of technology having obsoleted a very fine product. Take my word, do not spend over $500 for fixed binoculars without first trying the image stabilized Cannons. It's a revelation.

A grad student tried a pair of these Canon image stabilized binoculars at an observatory's star party and while he thought the binocs were very fine, he didn't agree with all the other astronomers around him that they were that much better than normal binocs..........

As for myself, I read every review I could find before deciding to purchase these 10x30 IS Canon binocs. I've had them for nearly a week now and have done some careful observing and decided to share my thoughts to help others who may be "sitting on the fence" and worried about the occasional bad review seen here or elsewhere.

I will be using these binocs for many kinds of observing , but
mostly for astronomy, nature observing and for the fun of using them -- they are very enjoyable to just plain use 'em.

Astronomy use puts optics to a severe test, but these performed far better than expected, and I expected rather much. First, I didn't expect the brightness to be so good. For a 10x30, they are clearly letting through almost all of the light entering the objective lenses, even with all those elements and prisms. I own a wonderful set of french APX 10x60 military naval binocs, and these little Canons were actually brighter on daylight objects and offered truer colors, too. Color fringing is very minimal, but visible on very bright objects in the night sky and at the edges of light-colored objects in daylight, but only if you are really trying to see it. On bright stars, there is some flaring, but lesser stars are tiny and tinier dots of light, just as they should be -- not as fine as you'd see in the finest apochromatic refractors, but about as fine as you'll see in any 10x30 binocular. Image sharpness is excellent all the way to the edge of the field of view and the image "snaps" into focus just like a good refractor telescope. For some reason, I find that the image is at its most superb about halfway to the edge and I most enjoy seeing the stars just below dead center for a relaxing and most crispy view. At 60 degrees apparent field of view, this is wide enough that you don't feel like you're looking down a tunnel, as on some binocs where this specification is only about 45 degrees or so. The 3mm exit pupil on these is a bit small and does make your adjustment of the binocs rotating eyepiece turrets more critical and does add a bit of fatigue keeping the eyepieces centered on your eyes. By comparison, my french 10x60s with their huge 2" oculars offer a much more relaxed view -- assuming you have them mounted on a stable platform though. On the plus side, a 3mm exit pupil is better for those with eye astigmatism who prefer not to wear glasses while observing. The binocs will accomodate your near or far sightedness naturally and as the light will only be using 3mm of your eye opening, astigmatism is usually not a problem. So take off your eyeglasses and you'll enjoy using these even more.

As others have said, the image stabilization is the breakthrough feature of these 10x30s and the other Canons in their IS line-up. When I HOLD down (not just click on) the IS button, in about six seconds the image goes from terribly shaky and rather unpleasant to view to moderately stabilized to locked-in full stabilization. If you let go of the button, the image immediately reverts back to "shakey as ever". And if you press the button again without much delay, you don't have to wait the six seconds for full stabilization, but only a fraction of a second in practical use. Some have written that the IS feature causes a lessening of resolution or sharpness in the image, but not in these 10x30s -- the image is tack sharp.
The image stabilization works perfectly for most practical uses. If you shake like Mohammed Ali, these binocs will not help you, but if you have a reasonably stable set of arms, these will do the rest to give you a virtually motionless view -- even while someone (else!) drives the car on your next trip.

A few minor nits, or how Canon can make these even better!
The focus is so wonderfully sharp and precise that Canon needs to put a finer thread screw on the focusser as it is a bit hard to obtain precise focus without constantly overshooting. This will cost Canon about nothing to improve. Oh, and I DO like the fact that the objectives move when you focus and not the eyepieces. In most binocs, pressing against the eyepieces will cause defocussing. And for a few pennies, Canon could integrate a flip-down-and-under objective lens cover which would certainly be nice. Or maybe even a simpler two-piece combination objective and eyepiece cover set that connect to each other with stretchcord on each side -- simply pull off and use -- stretch back-on and protect. Finally, as even alkaline batteries will last 4 hours continuously using the IS, why not change the IS "press and hold" button to and on-off switch with 5-minute auto-off. Gets to be a bit of a bother holding the button down all the time you are looking through them. Canon, are you listening?

So, what's my bottom line? Well, if you were to lay a pair of $1200. Zeiss binocs of similar power on the table along with a pair of these Canons I would still choose the Zeiss. Surprized? Allow me to explain: I sell the Zeiss on eBay and use that $1200. to buy FOUR pairs of these Canons which offer far higher practical resolution and fun over all the other binocs out there. Christmas is coming and these Canons have more WOW factor than anything I can think of for the money.

Oh, as for that grad student at the observatory who didn't think much of these binocs on first use -- when informed the next night that he had to HOLD the IS button and not just click it, he changed his mind somewhat .......... LOL

If you want to get a quick idea why image stabilization (IS) is the next revolution in binoculars, that's easy: take any binoculars that you can get and look through them at some object (a printed page of paper with several font sizes is ideal). Then look again at the same object from the same distance, but this time with the binoculars moudnted on a steady support (don't touch em!). You will notice that the actual resolution increases by a factor of at least 2 or 3 when mounted. That is, you can discern details that are at least two or three times smaller, because mounting eliminates the smear caused by the shaking of your hands. IS is like having this support available any time and anywhere you need it by a push of a button! In most conditions, the practical resolutions I can get with my Canon IS cannot be matched by any hand-held, unstabilized binoculars in the market, including those fancy Nikons, Swarovskis, Leicas and Zeiss that cost three or four times as much. No matter how good (and how expensive) is the optics of these top-of-the-line binoculars, their limiting factor in the field is the shaking of your hands. You may have heard that IS is important because it eliminates eyestrain and headaches, or because you can use the binoculars from a boat or a moving car. While these are good reasons to buy the Canon, the best reason is that they let you see much more detail in any given distance. And this is the reason why you buy binoculars in the first place.If you are a birder like me, and you are looking for a top of the line binoculars, do not buy anything before you try this one. In my opinion IS is going to revolutionize the whole field, so a costly pair of Swarovski or Zeiss, that normally could be considered as a good investment for life, will not be top of the line anymore in two or three years. In addition to the IS, the Canon has quite good optics, good field of view and is much smaller and lighter then most models you probably considered. This makes the Canon very close to the ideal birding binoculars: Highest resolution, less weight, and less money. I did not have the opportunity to test the larger Canon IS models, but I don't think I'd buy them even if I had the money, because they are twice as heavy and (very important for birding) has smaller field of view.Note one general disadvantage of the Canon, however: They are not as tough as the top roof prism binoculars. They are water resistant but not water proof, and the IS requires batteries (a pair of NiMH for several hours of birding. This is the digital camera procedure: get a charger and at least one replacement set). While the binoculars feel sturdy, dropping them is not good for the IS mechanism, and this is probably why Canon gives only one year warranty. So the Canon are not the best pair to take for an expedition in Alaska, but for a Sunday birder like me, these are easily the best in their price range, and probably the best in any price.

I like these binoculars a lot, and the image stabilization does the job well. You must hold down a button on top of the binoculars to keep the image stabilization engaged, and as soon as you touch the button, you see the image in the binoculars jerk once, then steady itself. Holding down the button isn't difficult or a big deal, by the way, and it does save batteries. If your batteries are dead, or you are concerned about minimizing battery use, the binoculars work fine without the image stabilization engaged.The effect of the stabilization isn't quite what I expected beforehand--In long viewing sessions, there is less fatigue from hand movement thanks to the stable image, and I expected this. But the big benefit is that you can see much more detail in the steady image--In effect you have an increase in magnification! You can see a lot more with image-stabilized binoculars.Now for the quirks--First, the small aperture and high power mean the image isn't very bright. This isn't a problem in many applications (for whalewatching in bright Sun, the binocs were wonderful!), but it means these binocs may not be the best choice for low-light applications--birding in deep woods, for instance.Second, the IS mechanism is slightly fragile. Don't drop 'em!Third, the binocs do use batteries. I recommend Lithium, particularly if you might let them set unused for quite awhile. They cost more upfront, but cost the same or less in the long run due to their greater lifespan. Also, the long storage life means you won't hike out in the boonies and find your only set of batteries is dead!Fourth, the binocs aren't light. They aren't monstrously heavy, but they they do weigh a bit. The 8x25 binocs may not be as bad in this regard, but they were released just after I bought my own pair, so I haven't tried them.Fifth, panning with the Image stabilization engaged may confuse the binoculars a bit. Let up on the button to turn off stabilization a moment before panning. I do sweeping searches with stabilization off, then turn on stabilization when I find what I am looking for.If you decide to buy, look for a rebate coupon from Canon. Canon frequently seems to have a $50 rebate on these binoculars (I applied for and received the rebate for my pair). Recommended, but keep those quirks in mind....

I was recently given these image stabilized binoculars as a gift and they are simpley astounding. While their optics are quite good without the image stabilization engaged, with it engaged they are phenomenal. Despite steady hands (I'm a surgeon) there is always some high frequency tremor that causes the image to quiver. Even with the superb optics of far more expensive binoculars such as Zeiss or Leica the limitting factor in resolution becomes this high frequency quiver. With Canon's image stabilization engaged the image becomes essentially rock solid and not only substantialy sharper but also more restful on the eyes. Image stabilization is a true leap forward in binocular design and is a great example of how a high tech advance makes a good product fantastic. Quite frankly, Canon's image stabilized binoculars make traditional binoculars even from high-end Euopean brands obsolete. Don't buy an expensive pair of binoculars without trying these first!

This is the first binocular that allows me to move up to 10X magnification & not feel eye strain. I can focus on tiny details without my brain hurting from the movement. I had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison with a pair of Leica 10X binocs. & the Canon optics were VERY close. The stable image made the difference though. At night I can look at the moon & see so much more than ever before. The Canon IS binoculars are a totally unique viewing experience. Really, they're that good!

I've owned a pair of Leica 10x binoculars and have always been very happy with their superb optics and excellent quality. My only problem was that at 10x magnification, I was unable to keep them perfectly steady when viewing something - a problem I figured I'd just have to live with. Then I was in my local camera shop and saw a pair of Canon 10x30IS binoculars on display. I thought I'd try them just to see how close they came to my Leica's in optical quality. Boy, was I surprised! Not only were the optics very good, but with the image stabilization turned on they blew my Leica 10x away! I could see so much more detail, with less eye strain and in a lightweight package. I bought them on the spot, and sold my Leica 10x to a friend - the Canon 10x30IS is my one and only choice for a 10x binocular now!

I bought this pair of binoculars after reading the reviews of several different pairs/brands. I bought them for an Alaskan cruise I just came back from. I cannot say enough about how great these binoculars are. The IS techncology is particularly amazing cause most of the viewing I did was on a moving vessel. The IS technology greatly compensated for any movement from my less than steady hands, and even when supported on the side of the ship, they eliminated much of the jitter from the moving ship. These binoculars really made my trip to Alaska that much more enjoyable. Aside from the IS technology, the Canon lens provide an incredibly clear and crisp image to rival binoculars that cost hundreds more. I did get a chance to see through a pair of $1000.00 Zeiss binoulars while on my trip and they were not noticably any better then the Canon binoculars and lacked the IS technology. The IS really makes a big difference.

About once every six months I buy something where the quality or functionality blows me away. It's probably more likely through e-commerce when you've never actually seen the product (power of low expectations). Anyway, these 10x30 IS binoculars get the six month award. I looked at [more expensive] image stabilized binoculars and these are hands down better. No jerky movement when panning -- Excellent stabilized image... No achromatic distortion, bright, clear flat image out to the edge, wide field of view, huge focusing range, ample eye relief, gigantic exit pupil, no backlash in the focuser, all in a lightweight small package. I'm going to buy more stuff I've never seen.

As we get older, our vision can get worse and our hands are not as stable. Enter Canon with this wonderful product. I read all of the reviews prior to purchasing, and believe me, the reviewers are telling the truth. The clarity and stability of the image are incredible. Two caveats though: 1)These binoculars overpower close-in situations, such as in a small theatre or entertainment venue and 2) Buy rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries or at a minimum, carry fresh, spare alkalines. When the batteries go dead (as they did in the middle of an Aretha Franklin concert for me), the binos. still function, but you lose the image stabilization feature. Even without image stabilization, the image is very clear! I would also advise careful handling of these binoculars, due to the sophisticated electronics. The price may seem high when compared to inferior binoculars, but once you try them, you'll feel that these binoculars are actually a bargain. Wish I could add more superlatives, but others have already beat me to it!

If you've never experienced image stabilization, you owe it to yourself to try it. The first instant you observe it, you can't believe your eyes and brain. It's like magic. Hyperbole? No. Fact? Yes. The device is operated by AA batteries (as I recall) and is activated by a light press of a small, comfortably placed button. Press the button, see the image stop shaking. Release the button, see vibrations. Uncanny. Magic. Without a doubt, the best binoculars I've ever used. Makes 10 power and above useful in a hand-held glass.

My husband and I are amateur birdwatchers so I was a bit hesitant to spend close to [price] for a pair of binoculars, but on the recommendation of a bird expert, we did. Wow, what a difference! They're lightweight, but sturdy, and the stablizer feature effectively holds the image constant. We can clearly see the EYE MOVEMENT of the red-tailed hawks who nest on our property. We have a pair of 16 x 32 Bushnell binoculars ([price]) and the same image is fuzzy and indistinct. Even though the Bushnells have a higher magnification, the quality of the optics are poor--there is fuzziness around the outside of each of the lens, and it's impossible to focus to a sharp, clear image to eliminate this. On the other hand, the Canon binoculars are like looking through a freshly cleaned picture window in your living room. The one problem we have with the Canon binoculars is that we own only one pair!

I just received these binoculars yesterday and am already enjoying them immensely. They are without a doubt the best binoculars I have ever owned or looked through, and at a great price compared to many high end brands. The image stabilization is just magical (I also have this technology in my camcorder and digital camera) and with it on, the image is rock solid and crystal clear. I even jiggled the binocs on purpose and the image was stable, but moved wildly when I turned off the stabilization. I am getting older and my hands aren't as steady as they used to be but I feel like I have the hands of a brain surgeon when I use these.

Tip: when you first press the stabilizer button after it hasn't been used for a few minutes it takes a few seconds (5 or 6) for the stabilization to engage and you may think it isn't working. After the initial warm-up, if you continue to use the button every few minutes the stabilization is instantaneous. I wasn't surprised as it takes about the same amount of time for my camera optical image stabilizer to start working after I turn on the camera.

I purchased these binoculars for a cruise this May to Alaska. I wanted a good set for viewing from the ship and while on hikes for my wife. I recently used them at Fontana Raceway and they are GREAT! I was able to track the cars clearly on the large 2 mile track with no vibration in the image. I am in my late forties, and the ability to take out the small shakes is wonderful. The large eye pieces also give you a great field of view, even while using with glasses. This is a great item to purchase. I would have loved to purchased the higher powered versions, but the price started to get too high.

I came home from work tonight to find my new Canon's had arrived. After mowing my bumpy lawn for 1 1/2 hrs on my riding mower and using my gas powered blower for a half hour cleaning the driveway I thought I would open the Canon's up and check them out before it became to dark. If anyone has ever used a gas powered blower for any length of time you know how your arms and hands feel right after you get done. aT first I looked through them without trying the stabilization and it was like looking through binoculars while using a pogo stick, my hands where shaking like a jack hammer. When I pushed that button it was pure joy. It was as still a picture as looking through my spotting scope on a tripod. At 7;30 with the sun well on it's way to setting it was a very bright and clear image. I have never had the opportunity to look through any $ 1000+ glasses, but I would have to say from my first impression that the majority of people are going to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the image with these glasses and the image stabilization is amazing. For the price these are going for you can't go wrong.

I've had the Canon 10x30 I.S. binocs for about a week now. The Canon optics by themselves are very good. Bright, clear, and sharp. When you add the I.S. feature, they are a no-brainer.
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br /I compared these to other high-end glass. While the European glass is slightly brighter and clearer when they are compared on a FIXED mount, once you have to hold them in your hands for viewing the Canon's allow you to see more detail with the I.S. feature. If you have a chance to preview these binocs, try reading license plates at distance- like a couple of blocks away. Try doing that with other non-I.S. binocs and then try the Canons. The Canons with the I.S. engaged allowed me see the detail and read the plates MUCH easier than any other 10X non-I.S. binocs no matter what the price. So if your viewing is mostly done with hand-held binocs, these are fabulous.
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br /A note of caution- these are not the smallest or lightest binocs. But when comparing them with other 10x binocs (other than compacts) they are within reason.
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br /They aren't waterproof, but for my uses I did not require that feature. I can't comment on overall durability since I've only had them for a week. And I don't know what the battery life will be since they are new. Here's my minor nitpicks. I would like to have a "timed-on" feature of the I.S. so you don't have to continuosly hold down the button, or a switch for "constant-on".
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br /Overall, I'm very happy with them so far. It makes me want to try the newer Canon 10x42 I.S. with even better optics! But as they are, I feel the 10x30's is the best $300+ dollars I've ever spent on binos. For the price you can't go wrong.
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I just bought this pair of binoculars and I am already planning to get the higher-end 18x50 Canon IS. I did a considerable amount of research and compared several models (both IS and non-IS) before I bought this pair and they are just incredible. I plan to use them primarily for astronomy. The optics are excellent.pros:- Need i say more. If the budget suits you, I'd recommend the higher-end 18x50s. cons:- I think the price is still steep at ~[$] for a 10x30.The only reason I gave this a fourstars.- The IS button must be held down for the stabilizing to work. This is actually good as it stops you from hoggin' up batteries. However, if I am tracking something and I want IS, I noticed that it is very inconvenient (if not difficult) to hold the button and refocus.- There are no lens caps- Batteries Batteries Batteries...buy a charger

I have used many pair of Binoculars in my life. One limitation was that over 7-8 power glasses could not be used without mechanical support. The Canon 10x30 IS binoculars refutes that statement. Even when traveling in a car, the image is remarkably stable. The all too frequent motion sickness is also (thankfully) absent.

I really wish I had these in Kuwait in 90-91. Using standard Binos while trying to move across uneven terrain in an M2 Bradley is tough.

These binoculars are amazing. The image stabilization clears up little vibrations like vibrations from a car or even old age. The batteries last a good while. This model is much lighter than the others and in combination with the excellent optics these binoculars are well worth the money.

This is an awesome product. Other reviewers have written about using these for hunting, boating and birding. Personally, I like taking mine to the stadium to get a better view of sports. No matter what you do with them, the image stabilization limits the nuisance of handshake. Although the image will still move, rather than jerking around, it slowly meanders across your field of view. In other words, movement is minimized, but not totally eliminated. The Image Stabilization feature is button activated and if you use it a lot, you will burn through the batteries. You should probably make sure that you always have spares with you when using these binoculars.

These binoculars are not a gadget but a real advance. I am an engineer and was at first skeptical that the internal control system of the binoculars could really deliver an enhancement in seeing. However, I was amazed by their resolution from the first try. I view astronomical objects as well as animals. My first trial was reading a number tag on a high voltage line 500 yds away. Unstabilized I could see the yellow sign containing the number but could not resolve it with my eye; as soon as I pressed the stabilizer button the sign was easily readable! As a second example, I noticed a buck deer dozing along a fence 300 yds away but the motion of the binoculars unstabilized did not allow me to count his points. Press the button, seven on one side 6 on the other! So even though the resolution of the binoculars does not change theoretically, the IS mechanism, increases your hand held seeing resolution by what I would say would be a factor 5. This is in addition to the fact that the image does not jiggle but remains locked in view. Works correspondingly well for viewing star clusters, nebulae and the moon. No motion of the stars hand held.

I researched all the image stablizing binoculars out there and the Canon 10x30 has the best value. The price, size and weight are like the little bear story because it is not too little or too much but just right.
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br /I used other binoculars of varying quality and price but haven't noticed how bad the shake induced image was until I turned on the Canon's image stablization. It is like driving Yugos and then feeling what a Ferrari is like. I can hold it in one hand with the stbilization button held down and the image is just as clear. Try doing that with conventional binoculars. I know it is not waterproof but the rubber coating gives it a sense of protection and quality. I used $1000+ professional Nikon lenses and these binoculars seems just as bright and clear. This one uses regular AA batteries, which means you can bring it anywhere in the world , unlike the 8x version which requires the more expensive and hard to find CR123A Lithium battery. This model is the best among the other IS models in weight and size.
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br /There does seem to be a slight tremor once in a while but I think it is due to my finger slipping off the stablization button briefly. I only wished they design the button to turn off stablization after a minute and not forcing the user to keep it held down. Overall, the Canon 10x30 is highly recommended and now I just have to find a better case for it.

I just received my 10x30IS, my first pair of high quality, made in Japan binoculars, and found out about the 3 year warranty provided by Canon USA. I bought it thinking it had just 1 year. This makes for a very sound investment in a marvelous technology. It works great on regular AA rechargeables. No expensive proprietary li-ion packs or hard-to-find batteries to deal with here.

Although expensive, my experience trying the 10x30 with Image Stabilizer from Canon in a store was unbelievableAt the push of a button the image was rock steady allowing to finally see near diffraction-limited details, this in my hands! I could read signs at the other end of the room. I never thought IS correction could be so effective. And optics are great anyway, even with no IS.I give it a 5 star (even if the 10X is a bit week, a zoom module would help, and there is no dig camera inside!).This binocular or rather technology is definitely a revolution, like color TV was to black and white TV. Forget about your other binoculars (unless they are IS too)!Note: Are they going to install the same technology on a conference laser pointer so even after a cup of coffee the spot is rock steady?

My warranty for this product expired january 07; image stabilization failed 11 weeks later! Factory repair cost quoted as $577.88. I would advise not purchasing Canon image stabilization products based on my experience.

I find this product to be amazing. I have never been able to successfully use binoculars because my hands are too unsteady. With the press of a button,, all of the shaking stops and I can enjoy as though looking through a window. I find the binoculars reasonably light and feel natural and sit comfortably in my grip. Lots of good technology at a reasonable price. My only criticism is the neck strap. It appears to be impossible to attach to the binoculars. It finally took my wife and I three safety pins and two pairs of pliers and four hands to accomplish the task of simply attaching a strap. It amazed us how thoughtless they were in this part of the design when they were performing the miracle of stopping my hands from causing the image to shake. Now that it is attached and I can safely use the binoculars without fear of dropping them, it love the product.

These binoculars are light and compact. The image stabilization works as advertised. Just press the button that's in front of the focus adjustment and the jiggle is gone.

If you're planning to spend a little extra on a pair on binoculars, why not these? I was very surprised on how small and light these 10x30IS binocs were. I basically bought them for marlin fishing because I wasn't going to spend $4000+ for gyros. This stabilization gizmo really works. I have a Canon camcorder with this feature and that's why I bought them. I paid $300 plus I get a $50 rebate! So I ended up paying $250. WHAT A DEAL! After receiving these I promptly went outside and started using them. I was watching guys work on a 20 story building over a mile away and could see the color of what they were wearing, with no shaking! I removed them and saw nothing more than a dot on the horizon. I'm impressed!Now, the only thing Canon needs to do to improve this little gem is waterproof them and put rubber armor on them. I would gladly pay the difference.

i purchased the 10x30 is binoculars from amaZon 12/27/07. followed instructions for setting them up and noticed a slight ghost image surrounding the main image, more pronounced when viewing light objects against dark ones, contacted canon and was told to send them in to their repair station in NJ at the cost of $13 for insurance and shiping. when they were returned the enclosed letter said that they met factory specs but would re-adjust and clean them. the problem STILL exist, the is feature works fine but there is still a ghost image around the main one. at the price for this pair i expected to at least have a sharp image. at $13 bucks a shot to send them back only to be told that they are OK seems like a waste of money so i am writing this review in hopes it will stop someone else from wasting their money. service was fast but DID NOT resolve the problem.

I bought these binoculars to use for my birding and wildlife observations. They are perfect in every way. I love them. The IS feature is GREAT!! I give them a rating of 5 stars. My 12 year old grandson came to visit here on the farm and has been using them and loves them..he says that they are "awesome"..need I say more

Having been on two safaris with inferior binoculars, I sought a good pair and was lucky enough to stumble onto the Canon 10X30IS. I compared them to the Leica 8X and Minolta 8X and was thoroughly amazed. There is simply no comparison. Buy enough batteries and you will not need anything else. I was so amazed at how well they worked, I bought another pair for our travelling companions as a gift. You simply cannot go wrong with these on safari. This should be mandatory gear for safari or any moving use.

We live at the edge of a bay and do a fair amount of bird and boat watching. We've been using the binoculars for five months now and find them GREAT for that purpose. We use them constantly and the IS feature takes the annoying flutter away. We would like to get another pair for the car. Can't recommend them highly enough.

I ordered these on a whim as I needed a pair of binoculars for watching ships and birds. The binoculars are nice and when you press the button to kick in the image stabilization feature you see this technology shine. These are absolutely fantastic for long range work as the image stabilizer easily compensates for the motions of your hands as you hold the binoculars. These are also good for close up work. I was watching birds with them today and they're nice as they stabilize the image and allow you to focus on details you can't perceive when you are trying to hold a pair of binoculars steady.

The product came rapidly and as advertised. They (10x30 Canon IS) are amazing! I wish they had lens caps but I put them back in the case when not in use. You actually can use them while riding as a passenger if the road isn't too awful. Overall, I can't get over the clarity of the image. I think I'll save up for the larger ones although these meet almost any binocular need. I highly recommend these. You have to see the clarity of the image to believe it. Buy them, you'll not be disappointed. PS They work great with glasses on. I haven't used my other 10x30 (name brand) binoculars since I got these.

Great product for the price.
br /It's tough to hold a 10X binocular steady, but when you hold down the stabilize button it locks on. You can also pan while locked down to track something moving such as wild game or airplanes, etc.
br /Low light viewing is not so good, but I'm not willing to pay the premium to get that, nor carry the extra weight that would go with larger lenses.
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I purchased this item mainly for bird watching. I own two Canon lenses with IS technology and I really appreciate the value that IS brings in. I have tried other binoculars in the same range and found that Canon 10x30 IS outperforms all of them. The image clarity is excellent. IS works great and reduces eye strain to a great extend. The compact design and the light weight help you to carry the binocular along with your other photography gears and field guides. Only drawback I could find is not having a lens cover for the object lens. Be aware that, this binocular is water resistant, not water proof. Overall a great investment. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good binocular for bird watching and sports.

I'm very pleased with this purchase. I'll never again buy binoculars without this feature.

I seem to collect optics, for binoculars I've got about 4 sets of varying sizes, mostly for astronomy use. I just got these for bird watching because they're lighter and smaller than my next smallest binoculars, and of course for the image stabilization feature. 10x is a good magnification and 30mm of aperature is ample for daytime use. For me, and I think for most amateurs, this product hits the sweet spot of price and performance. For my use I don't see any reason to go with a higher magnification or larger aperature from a more expensive set. The image stabilization feature will amaze you if you've never experienced it before. It's actually preferable to using a tripod because you don't have to fiddle with height, pan, or elevation adjustments or stoop over or crane your neck to reach the tripod, not to mention less stuff to carry around if you are on a walk. Optically they seem fine to me, but again I'm only intending to use these for daytime use, and I'm not looking for nits to pick by comparing chromatic aberration on a ~$300 set of binoculars to a $2,000 televue refractor.

My bother-in-law and I went to Africa on safari last year. We had purchased the binoculars especially to use while hunting. The optics were good and we were initially impressed by the image stabilization while still here in the states. Our impressions were confirmed when our professional hunters fell in love with them during the hunt. They were so impressed by the IS and price that we left a pair with our hunter. He used them for the entire season last year, and when he visited "The States" last month, he reported that they are still doing well.

br /The Image Stabilizer Technology (IS) really works. IS has been around for a long time on video camera's but you could never see it work in real time. You either had to turn it on or off. With these Bino's you just push the button on top, and all the shake stops. This is not a gimmick or sales hipe. I would not have believed it unless I saw it myself. I have used Steiner 7X50s in the military and other high quality optics, and these little 10x30s beat all the others for my home use.
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br /Pro's: (IS) really works. Affordable. Light weight. Enclosed soft case is fine. Great value for the money. Current Rebate from Canon.
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br /Con's: Not Water-proof. I would not want to backpack with these.
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br /Overall: MUST BUY!! For fair weather sports, racing, birding, and general home use. Read the reviews.

These binoculors are awesome. I'm a diehard Nikon fan for cameras/lens but the optics on these Canon binoculors are incredible. The stabilise button turns on an internal gyroscope or something and the image clears up.

Here is an update after 2 years using these Binoculars:
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br /Absolutely fantastic! I have spent 20 years hiking and looking at Indian pictographs and petroglyphs (drawings). These binoculars have saved me from hiking over to a cliff wall and finding out my drawing was just some bird doo... I also look at birds and wildlife. All I can say is the image stabilization works fantastic and is an absolute must have!! If someone offered me $1000 Leicas in trade for my Canon IS, I would laugh. The greatest optics in the world cannot make up for the IS. And by the way, the optics are great too! Good luck on your decision. I can almost gaurantee that once you have used these, you will never buy another non-IS binocular again!! EVER!!
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br /My original review:
br /I just got these binocs today and did not get a chance to use them until right at sundown. I was racing around to get out and look at some birds before dark! No worry, they were incredibly bright and clear even in low light. I have been using a pair of 8x32 Bushnells for several years and I like to look for Anasazi drawings in Utah. I always had a problem of too much shake. After tonight's performance on the birds using the image stabilizer, I think that it will save me a lot of walking and missed opportunities because I couldn't quite tell what I was looking at due to the shaking.
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br /One word - AWSOME!!
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br /Now I want a pair of the 18x50s...

I have owned a pair of these for six years now and have had them work flawlessly for me. I work on tug boats and use them to see the names on ships day/night, as well as other navigational markers. Because of the vibration in the tug boat, ordinary binoculars are tricky at best. Every person who looks through them instantly wants a pair.
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br /I found that focusing while holding the stabilization button down at the same time feels natural. Compared to other binoculars of any price they measure up in clarity.
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br /The only reason I gave them a four star is that I wish they had come with lens caps. And that a HARD case was at least an option.

The good:
br /. The IS works amazingly well.
br /. The The battery life is good. Pair of alkaline batteries outlived 4 days of yellowstone national park(probably 10 hrs total?).
br /. The visibility is sharp, crisp and bright. (daylight)
br /. 30 mm is optimum. Never felt light deprived.
br /. Animal and bird watching (300 to 400 feet max?)
br /. The build quality feels good.
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br /The bad:
br /. I would have liked some more magnification. maybe 20x ,but then its not the fault of the binoculars.
br /. If you want to see celestial bodies then this is not for you. No astronomy. You will see moon and its craters clearly and thats about it. I would have loved to see a bigger moon, but then its just a 10x.
br /. Pricey. You will feel the pain. But after using it for a while you will know its worth it.If I had the money I would go with canon 18 X 50 IS. Go for extended warranty IS might give future problems.
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An excellent set of binoculars -- exquisitely stable details, easy to use. My wife has never liked to use binoculars, but she thinks these are great.
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I've had these binoculars for 3 years and use them for bird watching. Love them. Fantastic glass and the image stabilization works like a charm. I ended up buying two more for my parents and they also love them and won't take any trip without them.
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br /They do a good job gathering light on dark and dreary days and focus very easily.
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br /I have had no problems with them, and I'm pretty tough on equipment. I've owned many binoculars in my lifetime and have always had a problem with glass in either one of the tubes "slipping" and not being able to focus through both eyes simultaneously. I haven't had a single problem with these, and I've dropped them several times.
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br /I highly recommend these binoculars.

Performance of the viewing and stabilization is very good.
br /This is the 3rd pair of these binoculars that I have used and the stabilizing mechanisim is what stops working.
br /I use these as an employee of ABC sports for college football so they do get quite a bit of use - but it is also a MAJOR problem when the mechanism stops working DURING a broadcast.

I had my eye on these binoculars for months now. When I saw them on sale at Amazon, I jumped. Amazon was only about $150.00 cheaper than a store I was planning to buy at. When they came, I couldn't believe how well the Image Stabilizer works. I remember my Dad's Binoculars as a kid. Man! Did the image look shakey! With Canon's I.S. technology, with a push of a well located button, the image stabilizes perfectly! These are great for watching wild life, birds, boats or in your neighbor's window (just kidding). I like them so much, I am saving up money now to buy the next higher up magnification for more intense bird wathcing at greater distances. I would highly recommend these sturdy, well engineered binoculars to anyone. They are EASILY worth every penny.

Very nice. Love the image stabilization. Easy to use. Nice design. Light weight.

A friend of mine showed me his 8X25 Canon IS binoculars and I was extremely impressed with how well I could see with them. So I ordered the 10X30 and have found them to be oustanding. Being an eyeglass wearer it's always been difficult to find any binocs that would work for me. The canon is the first pair that allows me to see clearly and the IS is a real plus as it holds stable anything you're looking at. They're the best by far!!!

Try this, you won't regret it! Size would be the only con ... but then it's far better than regular binoculars.

First, I need to disclose that I am entirely new to binoculars. Prior to the Canon 10x30's my previous binoculars were made by Bushell. As you know, these are the cheap binoculars you get at department stores are really horrible once compared to something just a bit more expensive. So you can see where I'm coming from.
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br /Well, When I first used these Canons I looked at the Moon and I can't believe how bright it was. The image is as crisp as my eyes can resolve, and the binoculars are surprisingly easy to keep steady even when the Image Stabilizer is turned off. So imagine my surprise when I turned on the IS. It is just very easy to see amazing detail effortlessly. The IS feels much like the one found on a video or photo digital camera.
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br /The battery latch seems a bit fiddly, but fortunately, batteries are said to last a good 4 hours of continuous use, for alkalines.
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br /They are not heavy at all, although they feel substantial. These binoculars are comfortable and usable and cause no eyestrain or long term discomfort.
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br /I find that the eye reliefs are very generous and that there is not a lot of difference in what you see with the way you position the binoculars against your eyes, so that you can simply hold them comfortably instead of trying to maintain a very precise spot against your face.
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br /The supplied padded case is nylon and has a nice classy feel to it. And although it is not a hard case, I feel it provides enough protection if you are going to put that case into another bag, as long as the bag does not get dropped from too high.
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br /While it is true that they come with no frontal lens caps, I am not sure they are needed, as the lenses are well recessed.
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br /You do need to hold your finger on the IS button for as long as you need the feature, unlike other IS binoculars. But I find this button light enough that this is not a problem.
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br /These are not resistant to the elements, so I am not sure if I would want to take them with me to places where they could get dropped in water. I feel like I would want to treat these like I would treat a nice camera. Although these are not resistant to full immersion in water, they are, according to Canon, resistant to water drops from rain.
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br /Overall, I recommend these to pretty much anyone looking for binoculars that are portable, high quality, easy to use and comfortable, and who does not mind paying a little extra.

I have a relative of mine that is big into bird watching. I have tried bird watching in the past, but found myself getting irritated with my perpetually shaky binoculars. No matter how hard I tried to hold the them still, I simply couldn't do it. For me, the constant "shake, shake, shake" makes using binoculars frustrating, as the picture is never as clear or stable as it should be.
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br /Recently, I was shown a brand new pair of image stabilized binoculars from Canon. I don't remember what particular version it was, but I was extremely impressed with it. The moment I pressed the IS (image stabilization) button, the picture became solid and crystal clear. Wow, what a joy to use...
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br /After a few more weeks of using "regular" binoculars, I finally gave into the temptation to upgrade to a brand new pair of 10x30 Canon Image Stabilization Binoculars! Wow, I am so glad that I did... The picture is amazingly clear and the range is excellent. Besides this, anytime that I want to a stabilize the picture, I simply press the IS button -- and PRESTO! ... A clear picture without those annoying shakes. It truly makes bird watching (or any other hobby in which you need binoculars with an IS feature) enjoyable again.
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br /I HIGH RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!

I purchased he Canon IS 10x30 binos for my wife a couple of Christmas' ago and since then they have been used, weekly, for daytime and astronomy purposes. I use them for quick views of the night sky and daytime for observing wildlife during trips upstate - or in the back yard. Excellent build quality, optics and image stabliization (that really works well) for only $300 dollars! The soft case is well padded and fits the binos like a glove. The 2-AA batteries don't last a long time under continued use, so we keep a 4 pack in the case as backup.
br /The optics are made so well that the sharpness and brightness are equal to other quality name brand 7 x 50 binos that I own.
br /Highly recommended little binos that pack a BIG punch for the bucks.

I have nothing original to say about these binoculars beyond the other expressed sentiments. They are incredible. I use them primarily for star/moon/(and currently comet Holmes) gazing. As an example, I can readily split certain double stars which are un-splittable with my 10 x 50 non-IS binoculars. The image is very bright, the stabilization is amazing. I wear eyeglasses and the eye relief is excellent. Excellent field of view. The star images are crisp all the way out to the edge of the field. The binocs are light and easy to handle. The requirement to keep the button pressed for IS to be engaged is simply not a problem at all. Yes, I wish Canon had supplied caps for the objective lenses but this is not a big deal. My other binoculars have become instantly obsolete. I have a hard time imagining anyone buying these things and being disappointed.

Bottom line...this was the ideal combination of features and weight. I didn't use the IS feature too many times but I was glad to have it. Some recommend a 40X but I think the added weight is a negative at least in this setting. You are either close enough to the animals or, the animals are hiding in the brush.

I couldn't be more pleased with this pair of binoculars. The stabilizer button works really well and even when not depressed the binoculars are never shakey like others we have tried. At dusk (and night) the objects you are viewing actually appear brighter than the available light. Focusing is easy and quick. I definitely recommend this pair - now my husband wants a pair like mine!

I wanted to buy a pair of binoculars for my husband, thinking he might begin the astronmy hobby he has often mentioned. First I bought a pair of Nikon 10x50s...mistake. They were too heavy...I couldn't hold them steady and looking at the sky was pointless through the unsteady gaze. I returned them immediately, bit the price bullet, and bought these. We both love them. Haven't used them for the stars yet, but brought them to an Ironman race and could watch my sister swimming in the race...unbelievable. My dad had his favorite automatic focus binoculars at the race, but our Canon was still better. Crisp, clear, beautiful, and the stabilization changes the entire experience. If you can afford them, buy them and you will not regret it. Makes details pop like never before.

These have been a great purchase! I'm really into using NiMH rechargeable batteries in all of my electronic devices and prior to purchasing these I read many reviews here that said you could not use rechargeable batteries. I emailed Canon and received a reply back stating "Yes, you can use rechargeable batteries in the binoculars. We recommend rechargeable NiMH batteries at least 2000 mAH".

My family and I go up to the Yellowstone area every year and enjoy looking for wolves and bears. This year I decided to do like the professionals and buy a spotting scope. I found a highly rated one on Amazon, but then I stumbled on these binoculars. While the scope was good, the binoculars were amazing.
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br /The main advantage of a scope is that it holds still so you can see the animals. The problem is sometimes people bump the scope with their eyes thus moving and it and inconveniently the animals decide to move as well.
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br /With these binoculars the wide field of view makes it easy to find the animals and with image stabilization there is no problem seeing them clearly.
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br /Needless to say, the scope was returned but I kept the binoculars. If I were a little richer I would have the gotten the 12x model. With most binoculars increased power just means increased shake, but with the image stabilization that shouldn't be a problem.

These make looking at whales from a boat, a VERY easy thing to do. The image stabilization is great and binoculars have a wide enough field of view to be very useful.

These binoculars work great! The image stabilization works like a charm, and the optical quality is very sharp and clear. My only beefs are that 1) there are no lens caps for the rear lenses - this seems absurd to me, and 2) the IS button is very small and centered, so you have to hold the binocs a certain way with both hands in order to press the button. Seems that it should have had a much larger button or buttons on the sides.

I got these as a christmas present, and intend to use them for astronomy and other general use. Granted I know that for astronomy, the apeture is a bit small.
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br /I don't have any complaints about the optics, and they are relativly comfortable to hold. The image stabilization definately makes the binoculars.

There is no need for big talk to demonstrate the product. Point at a target, press the stabilization button. Three seconds later you are sold. There will be no going back... even if the world runs out of batteries.
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br /Let's only wish for the next generations that the vibration reduction system will not be as bulky ( look at camera lenses do you see a bulge anywhere for the VR ? ) and the price comes more in line... otherwise, just a great product.
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Marvellous. Imagine you have a medium power binos always with a stand only 650grams. The view is obviuosly better than those of 7x or 8x. Once you press the button and can feel what a wonderful invention in your hands. You certainly would hope not to go back to unstabilised ones. Comfort, excellant optics are the first and instant impressions while I use it. The color rendition is perfect. It can be grouped into the world class like Leica and Swarovski. Balance on hands is just very good. The Canon's engineers nust pay thosands of hours in designing the body. It should be treated very careful. I think lots of sophiscated mechnical and electronic parts are within the bino. I just love it.

This is my first pair of IS Binoculars. They work as advertised, the image is nice and clear and when using the IS feature everything is rock solid. I would recommend this item to anyone who is buying their first pair of IS Binoculars.

before purchasing this item I have read the reviews and they are correct,if you are looking for a pair of binocular for the first time try these, the image stabilizer is worth the price and the delivery time was great.

I go to an occasional football or other sports game, and would like to get closer to the action. Or I'd like to look at the stars, or at a bird in a tree, or to see what that stick is that is resting on my roof, or whatever. The image stabilizing thing is great. It's not a marketing hype, something that sounds nice but is so-so when using. The I/S feature really is great--it removes all the hand-holding shaking from the view, and keeps things really really focused on what you are looking at. You can get some drift, which means the thing you are looking at can gradually move out of the field of vision, cuz of your hands/arms are gradually moving away from it. But you can get it right back in. I think how this thing works is that when you click the I/S button (on top of the binocs, easy to find), there is a built-in feed back that takes part of the image and keeps it at the same spot no matter what slight movements you make--thus compensating for your shakes that no one can avoid, by slightly moving some of the prisms inside to keep the image the same, regardless of your small movements in holding the binocs. With the image kept at the same spot, your eyes can pick up more of it, see more detail (examples--moon, planets, stars)because your eye isn't chasing the image around as the binocs inevitably move around. It's not cheap to get this feature in the binocs, but these are my favorite for college football, seeing the stars, and so on. I also have their big brother, the 15x50, but those are heavier. When you press the stabilize button, you can feel a slight clunk in the unit (this is a good feature, cuz you can feel/hear it's turned on, sorta like feedback from a keyboard when you press a key, not a problem) and it does its magic. For a football game, take along extra batteries cuz you'll use the I/S button a lot, and you'll get mad if it runs out of power (due to prior use, etc.)--because you will have seen (no pun intended) how much you like the I/S feature! BTW, in a football game, you will get set on the quarterback or whoever else you are following, then click on the turn-on-I/S button, follow the play for 10 seconds, then let off the button saving the batteries. Then repeat half a minute or so later, etc.
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br /BTW, 15/50 Canon review would read about the same, except 10x30 are a lot less in cost, and the 15/50 are probably three times as heavy, but they work as well on holding a stable image. My 20x70 regular binocs don't get used much anymore, cuz one can't hold them as still without a tripod, but it's an issue of money as to if you want to pay for the I/S feature--probably triple the price of a non-I/S binoc. I'm glad I paid for it. I'm not a birder but I'm sure a birder would go ape (uh, mixed animals here) about the ability to stabilize an image--would also damp out small movements of a canoe you were sitting in, as well as normal arm/hand shakes. Good for a going to a big football game.

Just returned from a month in Africa and I can say that the these Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars performed flawlessly and proved to be simply exceptional for viewing everything from the smallest birds to the largest elephants. After being run all over creation in a range rover these lived up to their billing! I'd urge you to try these out before you spend more $$$ for a product without the stabilization feature...Going back to Africa early next year will try out 18x50 IS unit...

These binoculars are everything I hoped they were. Three of my friends tried them, they always say the same thing "wow" when they push the image stabilizer button. I have used them while being driven around in the car, and other than getting carsick, they rock. The images are so stable, you get carsick in record time. I used them recently at a live concert, they worked very well with excellent light gathering, and are small enough not to be a burden. I recommend them 100%. The carrying case is a bit cheesy, but not enough to matter to me, although I don't think the case would protect the binoculars from a waist height drop.
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br /The stabilization feature allows you to fully realize the benefit of the magnification. I have some older ones without stabilization that don't seem as powerful in comparison.

I will never buy another pair of binoculars without Image Stabilization. It is like air-conditioning - once you have it, you can never go back to living without it!
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br /I cannot offer any additional information beyond the terrific reviews submitted by others on this item. If you are undecided about buying these, put your fears to rest and buy them! Absolutely one of the best purchases I have ever made and worth every penny!

I gave two of these for our sons for Christmas and they loved them. Excellent Ebayer!!!!!!

I used Amazon's reviews to select these binoculars and I was not disappointed. The image stabilization is well worth purchasing. I use them for birdwatching and I am very happy with this feature.

These are great binoculars. The optics are good and the image stabilization works well and by minimizing jiggle adds significantly to what you can see and identify. I bought my first pair several years ago for something over $500 and was well satisfied. Unfortunately they were dropped and were unuseable and unrepairable (for less than the cost of a new pair). So at a price of $300+ I am well satisfied.

These are some great binoculars! The size is small, and the weight is light. They fit easily into a coat pocket.

The images are clear, bright, and undistorted with no blurring at the edges. The image stabilization works surprisingly well (I was skeptical at first) and really helps to reduce on eye strain.

The only knock against them is that, while they provide covers for the eye pieces, they do not provide covers for the objective lenses. Nor have I been able to find a pair of after-market lens caps.

I have been using Nikon for years but now that I own the Canon 10X30 IS they have become primary for Hunting. The Canon's are great and easy to handle.

The glasses are remarkable. I was really impressed when viewing the moon. The picture was clear, but when I pressed the button fto stabilize the view, the craters popped out very clearly. The size is also convenient.

For the price, absolutely incredible.
br /They are about 80% as good as the best made for
br /about 1/4 the money.

Got these binoculars for my wife at Christmas this year so they are about 3 months old. We went on around 5 short hikes when the stitching binding the strap to the case came completely out of one side dropping the case to the ground. I emailed Canon expecting an apology and a new case. I got the apology, but it was with an explanation that the cases have NO warranty and I was out of luck. After spending over $300 on this product by a well-known company with a high reputation and owning it only 3 months, I expected better. The binoculars are nice, but what happens when the strap on your unwarranted case breaks, drops and breaks your binoculars, and you call Canon? Very poor quality cases. Right now I cannot use the binoculars because I have no case and have to figure something else out. So what good are great binoculars you cannot use?Binoculars - 5 stars; Case - 0 stars; Canon - 1 star

Canon's 10x30 IS Binoculars are magnificent for viewing even the tiniest bird far away and up a tree! With the IS technology you will not loose sight of your prey as it swoops and dips in flight. It is wonderful to be able to see details you never knew existed, right in front of you. My only Christmas wish was for a pair of these binoculars and I have enjoyed them nearly every day since. Try some before you buy any other kind and surprise yourself too.

i tried these in a store the other day. they are cool, but not worth the money. the image stabilization wile it does make a shakey image stable, its no where near as stable as the people in the above comments claim. there is a noticeable improvement, but not $600 worth of improvement. id wait awhile and see what the next generation of this technology has to offer before comminting to purchase.