8x42 VS 10x42 Binoculars: Pros & Cons of Each for Hunting, Birding, Safari & Sports

Tina breaks down differences in magnification, field of view, brightness and image stability - complete with comparison photos from similar quality binoculars, so you can visually compare the difference between 8x42 and 10x42.

Discover which is best for activities such as hunting, birding, safari or events such as sports matches or concerts.

-Content-
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - What Do the Numbers Mean?
1:19 - Pros of 8x42 Binoculars
2:10 - Pros of 10x42 Binoculars
2:31 - 8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars for Hunting
3:39 - Bird Watching
4:17 - Wildlife Tours/Safari
4:59 - Events, Concerts & Sports
5:26 - Binocular Features
5:43 - Magnification
6:44 - Field of View
8:34 - Exit Pupil & Relative Brightness
9:54 - Twilight Factor
10:46 - Image Stability
11:29 - Which are Best for You?

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[tylerjones]

Hands down best video on this topic. The comparative examples were exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[TimpTim]

One of the very best videos on 8 vs 10 that I have seen. Thank you!

[GunsAndGrenache]

Love the clear, concise, explanations. Extremely helpful. Thank you!

[Marc-cfnv]

I agree with everyone else- this video was really informative and really helped me in picking my next pair of binoculars!

[dusanstevic]

Hands down the best video about this topic! Thank you for such a thorough explanation!

[pjwillsr]

Excellent, easily understood and explained. I did not notice any editing in your oral presentation....that is commendable. Going with the 10 x 42 for viewing boats, birds from our lake house.

[FirstNameLastName_]

Comprehensive and clear explanation video. Bravo!

[godeshows]

The best video about binoculars magnification.

[patricj]

Good video. 8x42 is a better allround choice and 10x42 a more specific task choice.
Worth to mention is that (with everything else equal) while there is a direct relation between the area of the exit pupil and image brightness(all binoculars with same exit pupil have same brightness), twilight factor cannot indiscriminately be used to describe performance in low light.
Relative brightness index describes an optical law, but twilight factor is a made up value not describing an optical law.
The main factor for low light performance is exit pupil. You need light in order to see any detail and twilight factor is dependent on sufficient brightness. This is easy to understand if you increase the magnification. For example: while a 10x42 has twilight factor of 20, 5 a 20x42 will have twilight factor of 29. This does not mean it works better in low light, because the image will be 4 times dimmer. And even further:
42x42 has twilight factor of 42, which is more than twice of a 10x42. But forget to see much details in dim conditions with 1mm exit pupil! The image with 42x will be 17, 6 times dimmer than with 10x. In a situation where you barely see details with 10x you will just see darkness with 42x.
Magnified darkness = darkness.

[bobdayton]

Thank you for all the good information on binoculars. In general, the more you pay, the better your view, with all other things being equal.

[lawrence]

Nice explanations. Thank you for this!

[deggis]

Before buying go to a store and try both (of the same brand and model if possible).
Until I tried both I did not believe that the magnification difference of 10x was not as big while the extra shakyness was instantly noticiable. If you can't see it with 8x, you won't see it with 10x either.

[michaelkaliski]

For the ultimate in general purpose binoculars you have to go a very long way to beat a decent pair of marine 7x50 binoculars. Weather proof, great low light performance, easy to hold stable even on a moving platform, and the choice of generations of mariners. Smaller diameter objective lenses offer carrying convenience at the expense of light gathering capability. Higher magnifications give a dimmer view and a shakier image if handheld. The physics behind how binoculars work means that every tweak in one area results in a trade off elsewhere. You simply can’t get a quart out of a pint pot.

[RHN]

Great review straight to the point thank you

[slawco]

SUPER recenzja/porównanie dwóch lornetek. Bardzo mi pomogło w wyborze lornetki BLASER Primus 10x42. Bardzo dziękuję i serdecznie pozdrawiam!

[cicero]

very informative and very helpful. Thank you!

[kenneths.perlman]

Simple. For a somewhat closer view you give up brightness, field of view and stability. Conversely for a somewhat further view you gain brightness, a wider view and less jerkiness. Pretty simple really. If you are going to use a tripod that will equalize the stability but the brightness and field of view issues remain the same.

[adnanebrahim]

thanks for the video.
it is very helpful.🔥❤️

[Martin-nvqh]

Im pretty sure 8x42s are brighter than 10x42.

[inSaNe_]

Hy, what do you think about 8.5x50? Thank you!