10x42 binoculars for birding
Which 10x42 binoculars do we track?
Budget to premium
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Other configurations and budgets
6x30 · 7x35 · 7x42 · 8x25 · 8x32 · 8x42 · 8.5x42 · 10x25 · 10x32 · 10x50 · 12x50
Under $100 · Under $200 · Under $300 · Under $500 · Under $1000
Get the binocular buying checklist
Exit pupil, close focus, eye relief for glasses and the warranty questions to ask, on one page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
Are 10x42 binoculars good for bird watching?
They suit open country: shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. The 4.2 mm exit pupil is comfortable in most light but dims under heavy canopy, and 10x adds reach at the cost of more visible hand shake. For most backyard birders an 8x42 remains the default.
What does 10x42 mean?
10 is the magnification, so a bird looks 10 times closer. 42 is the diameter of each objective lens in millimetres, which sets how much light comes in. Dividing 42 by 10 gives the exit pupil of 4.2 mm, the width of the light beam reaching your eye.
How bright are 10x42 binoculars?
Relative brightness, the exit pupil squared, is 17.64, against 27.6 for an 8x42 and 17.6 for a 10x42. Twilight factor is 20.49. Coatings and glass quality change real-world brightness a great deal, so two 10x42 binoculars at different prices can look very different at dusk.
10x42 or 8x42 for birding?
Compared with an 8x42, a 10x42 gives more reach. Try the numbers in the binocular calculator to compare directly.
How much do good 10x42 binoculars cost?
We track 17 10x42 listings from $45.99 to $499. Budget models work in good light; the mid-range adds ED glass, better coatings and phase-corrected prisms, which show at dawn and dusk.