Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars

A truly "Wow!" product. I know that image stabilization binoculars aren't new, but they are new to me. Looking through them for the first time, and then pressing that image stabilization button, it's like there's a wizard inside there. The image becomes more still, sharper, it's like magic. Truly amazing. While I'm sure the much more expensive Canon IS 10 x 42 L is even better, it's hard to imagine how much better they could be than the 10 x 30's. I had read a lot of good things about the image stabilization ability of the Canon binoculars, but seeing is believing. It really is a very impressive feature. I'll never buy another pair of non image stabilization binoculars again. Pros: The image stabilization feature is great! I like the way the lenses adjust for different users. Feels like a quality build. The IS button is perfectly located and very easy to push and hold. I was worried that having to hold the button down would be a problem. It isn't. Comes with a nice carrying case. Great value for the money. A nice balance of weight, price, quality optics, and power for the casual birder/wildlife observer. One of the people who uses it in our family can only use their right hand and so can't hold the binoculars with two hands. The image stabilization feature works out great for them and makes wildlife viewing and bird watching so much more rewarding. Cons: Attaching the carrying strap to the binoculars new out of the box was a tedious endeavor. It seemed way harder than it ought to of been. I was afraid I was going to scratch the binocular casing trying to get the straps started through the eyelets on the binoculars. I finally did it, though. Just a minor quibble. Also, there are no lens caps for one end of the binoculars! None at all. The other end has lens caps. That's just silly in my opinion. August 5th, 2024: These image stabilization binoculars have worked flawlessly since I bought them in 2017. However, I pulled them out of their case the other day and the battery door was open and the metal plate that is on the battery door was missing! So, the image stabilization feature no longer worked because the batteries wouldn’t function without the metal piece on the battery door. So, I ordered a replacement battery door for $49 off of e….Bay. With a pair of needle nose pliers and a very pointy “punch” tool was able to replace the battery door and all works well now. Still a terrific pair of binoculars that I would buy again in a minute.

When I first started hunting for image-stabilized binoculars, I quickly realized they were often pricey and bulky, making them a bit of a drag to carry on walks. My son recently took up bird watching, and these are perfect for him because the stabilization lets you focus on tiny details like colors and bill shapes. The optics are crystal clear, and the image stabilization is seriously amazing. They feel great in your hands, and I’m always blown away when I focus on something and press the button—it’s like the binoculars are suddenly on a tripod! Simply hold down the button, and you’re using the stabilization. PERFECT for bird watching or grabbing license plates! These really are the best binoculars I have every owned.

I bought the Canon 10x30 is ii binoculars as potential travel binos. They are much smaller and lighter than the newer Canon 10x32 third generation binos and have improved optics relative to the first generation Canon 10x30 is model. The at-home tests so far show the is ii are lightweight and exhibit good vision across the width of the lens viewing area. Stabilization is good in terms of neutralizing hand shake vibrations. As noted by many other reviewers the stabilization feature of the is ii make the 10x binos very usable for terrestrial viewing, and is simply amazing for astronomy viewing, capturing at least about 1-2 magnitude of dimmer stars. Airline luggage and weight restrictions are making carrying large binos in personal size luggage increasingly difficult. Other reviewers mentioning the lack of objective lens caps on the Canon 10x30 is ii as sold as a disadvantage are correct. The is ii only come with individual eyepiece lens covers. A search of the Internet did not reveal any solutions to this problem. However, I found on Amazon a 39mm spring-loaded pinch-type lens caps that seem to fit well into the tapered 38mm diameter lens shroud around the objective lenses of the Canon 10x30 is ii binos. It is not an exact fit. The lens caps are sold as 39mm in width, and the Canon 10x30 is ii have about a 38mm inside diameter around the front lenses, but a little pressure seems to result in a snug seating. You can but the spring-loaded lens caps on Amazon at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GM415EM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 As noted my other reviewers, individual lens caps for front or back binos lenses are also easy to misplace. I am trying out some lens cap tethers from ChromLives, sold in a 5-pack, that use an adhesive pad to secure the tether to the front lens cap, and elastic bands for wrapping around the eyepiece tubes. (See below link and photos). These tethers are of an ideal length, and even help secure the spring-loaded clips in place on the front of the binos. Two of the remaining three tethers could similarly be used to hold the eyepiece lens covers on the viewer side of the binos, but most users would probably prefer a single piece rain guard style eye lens cover that can be threaded on the bino neck strap to reduce parts and clutter. (The search is now on for a suitable rain guard cover.) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0731H4WND/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The combination of the 39mm spring-loaded front lens covers and tethers is also attractive because it permits use of the carrying case that comes with the Canon 10x30 is ii binos. Typical rifle scope style front flip covers add considerable length and/or width to the point the binos no longer fit in their as-sold carrying case. These style flip covers also probably will not fit on the thin lip around the front lens of the is ii binos. The only con experienced so far is that the spring inside the lens cover is very strong to the point that it sometimes pops off a cover when jarred due to the inner taper of the front lens housing. That is when the tether comes in very handy. I am attaching a few photos showing the 39mm lens covers and tethers mounted to the 10x30 is ii binos. Time will tell if this combination solves the rather apparent but minor drawback of the Canon 10x30 ii being sold without front lens covers and as sold with only individual eyepiece lens caps that can become lost easily in the field. So far these frong lens covers appear to be are making the Canon 10x30 is ii into a near ideal travel small-size stabilized bino.

Received my binoculars today and wow such clarity and the stabilization works great. I was concerned about the weight but after using them I have no concerns at all. These binoculars will travel well. I've always owned Canon cameras and lenses so I expect quality and these binocs did not disappoint. A couple of minor complaints: the strap was a pain to get through the slots; had to use needle nose plyers to force the straps through. Also I wish that instead of the stabilization button there was a switch similar to the switch one finds on Canon lenses so that stabilization stays engaged without having to hold the button down. Also Canon should include objective lens cover like they do for the eyepieces. BTW The objective lens covers that were recommended as an add-on by Amazon do not work. Will have to return those.

I’ve had “good” binoculars for years but views of planets, the moon and other objects were always jittery. When the IS is turned on in the Canon IS, the image stabilizes and is as steady as if the binocs are mounted on a tripod. The binoculars are surprisingly light at about 740 g which compares well with my Nikon 10x40 Monarchs at 665g. Images are bright and crisp and, slightly better resolution than with the Nikons. I use them primarily for seeing astronomical objects and the image stability makes viewing much more pleasant. I would not hesitate to recommend them to someone willing to spend the extra dollars on a good pair of binoculars that will provide a lifetime of viewing pleasure

J'ai testé mes jumelles et je suis satisfait de la stabilité de l'image et de sa clarté. La jumelle est plus noir que vert et ne sera pas réfléchissant réduisant la détection. Le fini est de qualité mais pour m'assurer de la dureté du revêtement je vais appliquer une fois par année du protecteur 303. Le sac inclus est pas trop convaincant et ne protège pas beaucoup contre les impacts d'un voyage internationale. J'espère pouvoir utiliser cette jumelle pour de nombreuse année

I've used these 12x36 iii IS binos and found them to be great optically and the Image Stabilization works as advertised -they are real magic to these 60 year old shaky hands. I've mostly used for astronomy (although plan to take them on cruises and other holidays). Easy to use and light weight Stars look pinpoint across the FOV, I'm able to split fairly close doubles easily, and the image stability really helps see a whole bunch more stuff, including those white ghostly planetaries. The moon looks very sharp, with good definition of surface features throughout all the phases. However, what I like best about them is they are grab and go. If the sky clears, there is not need for fussy tripods, just plop down on a lounger and look up, and commune with the heavens.

Excellent physically small, portable pair of binoculars. A perfect compromise for both daytime hiking and nighttime astronomy. Very good Image quality and good image stabilization. At 12x magnification the IS is a necessity and it works well. Also even with only 36mm objective the image is bright and clear. Couple of negative comments. It would be better if one didn’t have to hold the IS button down to operate IS. Not difficult but annoying. After spending so much on an otherwise excellent product - why are there no objective lens covers for the binoculars? Come on Canon you can do better than that. Now I have to search for covers (2.25” by the way).

As advertised This is my second set. They are excellent