8x vs 10x binoculars: which magnification is better for bird watching?

8x is the standard recommendation of magnification for beginning bird watching. There are good reasons for this, but it doesn’t mean 8-power binoculars will suit every beginner’s needs.

And for people upgrading their old 8x binoculars, it is worth weighing up whether to opt for a different magnification.

To get a realistic idea of the specific features on these kinds of binoculars, you are welcome to head straight for the round-ups that we have, including this popular and often recommended size of The best 8×42 binoculars for bird watching

It’s interesting to see how the different size of objective lens affects field of view and brightness. So if you are looking to compare different configurations of 10x binoculars, these posts may be of assistance: Top five 10×42 binoculars for bird watching and Eight of the best 10×50 birding binoculars

8x or 10x: how to choose, depending on your priority

What is most important to you when bird watching?

Why is the 8x magnification usually recommended?

An 8x model is more user friendly due to its longer eye relief and bigger exit pupil. Its wider field of view means spotting and tracking the bird is easier.

You’ll see a steadier image and therefore a good amount of detail even though the magnification is weaker than the 10x.

8x and 10x binoculars: what are the main differences?

Before we look in more detail at the main differences, let’s get a broad overview of the advantages and disadvantages of 8x and 10x binoculars.

We will use as an example two specific sizes of binoculars that are frequently recommended for bird watching – 8×42 and 10×42.

Which is better for bird watching binoculars: 8×42 or 10×42?

Advantages and disadvantages of 8X42 binoculars for birding

Pros of 8X42 birding binoculars

• Field of view is wider – easier to follow birds
• Greater depth of field
• Steadier image
• Brighter image overall
• Larger exit pupil means better in low light
• Longer eye relief
• Often cheaper

Cons of 8X42 birding binoculars

• Smaller image means less detail
• Not as good for long distance viewing

Advantages and disadvantages of 10X42 binoculars for birding

Pros of 10X42 birding binoculars

• Increased detail
• Increased range of distance

Cons of 10X42 birding binoculars

• Narrower field of view
• Shorter eye relief
• Darker images in low light
• Can be more expensive
• More difficult to hold steady

8x or 10x binoculars: physical difference

Comparing size and weight – which is better, 8x or 10x?

There will be little variation in dimensions between these models.

Manufacturers often use the same body and components for both the 8x and the 10x.

Often a 10x will be slightly heavier because the increased magnification in the lenses means corresponding increase in the thickness of the glass. Usually this increase in weight is negligible, though.

For those people whose birding takes place close to home, or from a stationary position like in a backyard or bird hide, it’s probably not worth giving too much consideration to the weight.

It could have a bearing, however if you tend to do a lot of walking over challenging ground on your bird watching excursions, or if you take the binoculars with you when you go hiking. In this case a lighter pair may make a noticeable difference.

8x or 10x binoculars: optical difference

Comparing magnification and detail – which is better, 8x or 10x?

With a higher power of magnification, you will see a more detailed view. It will also allow you to see further.

The 10x binoculars have the edge when it comes to seeing detail from a distance. If a lot of your bird watching is of birds that are far away, then the higher power will give you a better chance of appreciating or identifying them.

Comparing field of view – which is better, 8x or 10x?

A more zoomed in image, while showing you more detail, will limit your field of view. This means you see less area of the world through your binoculars.

A pair of 8-power binoculars will normally give a wider field of view than 10-power. It is easier to find your intended target with a lower magnification binocular, because it has a wider field of view.

For close to mid-range birding, an 8x binocular is a more appropriate choice. You will find it easier to locate the bird and then follow it when it flies. Most birds are quite small and can move in an unpredictable way.

In particular, because a lot of birding is done in wooded areas, where it is already difficult to spot creatures, a wider field of view becomes an even more desirable feature.

In contrast, a pair of 10-power binoculars offer a more detailed image. So in situations where you are really focused on examining the features of a particular bird rather than any others around it, then 10x is better.

Comparing depth of field and focusing speed – which is better, 8x or 10x?

Whereas the field of view measures the width of the landscape you can see through your binoculars, the depth of field measures the depth of landscape that is in focus.

A smaller magnification will have a larger depth of field. This gives you more flexibility, which is handy when the birds you are viewing are constantly on the move.

As the depth of field is larger for 8x binoculars than for 10x, you can keep moving birds still in focus within a larger area without having to re-focus. It should also be marginally easier to adjust the focus when you need to.

Comparing close focus distance – which is better, 8x or 10x?

A binocular with a close minimum focusing distance, more likely on an 8x, has the potential to capture a stunning close-up.

A higher powered binocular increases your minimum focus distance, making it more difficult – or even impossible – to focus on subjects very nearby.

8x or 10x binoculars: image quality

Comparing steadiness – which is better, 8x or 10x?

Out of the two choices, a pair of birding binoculars of 8x is easier to hold steady.

As magnification increases, so too does the risk of a shaky image. The larger the magnification of the binoculars, the more difficult it will be to hold them steady without a tripod.

None of us has a totally steady hand. Our upper bodies move a little naturally – breathing, for example! – no matter how hard we are trying to stay still. And with binoculars of a higher magnification, this slight movement translates to a shaky image.

Any amount of wobble will be increased by 8x or 10x respectively. So, though 10x binoculars promise more magnification, whether your eyes can actually process that extra detail via an unsteady image is another matter. If you know that your hands are less steady, it’s better to aim for an 8x pair.

Comparing eye relief – which is better, 8x or 10x?

Eye relief distance measures the gap between your eye and the lens closest to your eye, known as the ocular lens.

Eye relief is mainly a factor for people who wear glasses when using binoculars. In this case, you will need a greater eye relief as your eye will be a bit further from the ocular lens of the binoculars.

It’s important to get this right to preserve the width of your field of view.

Specifications make it easy to compare eye relief across many brands that offer the same model in both 8x and 10x sizes. In most cases – though not always – the eye relief distance is larger on the 8x model.

For those people who do wear glasses, it’s best to look for a measurement between 17-20mm, depending on the thickness and the distance of the glasses from the eye.

We have already narrowed down the choices of binoculars with long eye relief in both sizes. So if you would like to compare the specifications of binoculars suitable for use with glasses feel free to take a look at our article on The best birding binoculars for glasses wearers.

For 10-power binoculars that have long eye relief this may help you decide on a particular model: Which 10x binoculars are best for glasses wearers?

Comparing brightness – light-gathering ability and transmittance/transmission – which is better, 8x or 10x?

In lower light conditions, binoculars of a lesser power of magnification perform better.

One factor in the brightness of the image is the thickness of the lenses. As 10x binoculars need thicker glass to magnify more, less light is able to pass through the lenses. This will slightly impact how bright the image appears, and it will be a shade darker than the 8x.

If you are comparing binoculars with the same size of objective lens, say 8×42 vs 10×42, then the amount of light that enters the lens will be the same.

In bright conditions, where the pupil of your eye constricts, there will be little perceivable difference between the two pairs. Both sets of lenses will be able to gather plenty of light.

Where their differences will show most, though, is in low light conditions. This is caused by the variation in the size of the exit pupil.

In a dim environment, such as the time around sunrise or at twilight, the pupils in our eyes expand in order to allow in more light.

Because the exit pupil on a pair of 8×42 is larger than that created on a 10×42, it means that the 8×42 will yield a brighter image. Larger waves of light are able to enter the objective lens and reach your eye.

In this instance, an 8x has the advantage over a 10x. Not only is it slightly brighter, but it is also easier to use with less chance of black rings around the edges hampering your view. Beginner birders will find this especially helpful.

What does exit pupil mean in binoculars?

8x or 10x binoculars: price difference

Broadly speaking, the models with the 8x magnification cost more than the 10x models in the same range.

In the 10x pair, there is a slight increase in the thickness of the glass, to increase the magnification. But the physical size of the body of the binocular is often exactly the same on each, which doesn’t really explain the price difference.

So with this in mind, it should be possible to purchase 8x binoculars of a higher quality than you could find for the 10x magnification. If your main aim is to save money, then in theory this would make the 8x better value.

We would always recommend that it is best to choose according to your own individual requirements and buy the best possible pair for your budget.

8x or 10x magnification: how to choose according to the type of bird watching you do

Where and when do you intend to use your binoculars?

The attributes of various geographical locations can call for different strengths of binoculars. Similarly, bird watching in particular weather or light conditions will demand specific performance requirements.

And let’s not forget the birds themselves – large, small, slow, fast, predictable, erratic… Which power of binoculars is best for your intended use?

For those who are experienced bird watchers, or birders upgrading their binoculars, think about the physical environments you use most frequently.

If a lot of your birding is done at either end of the day, when light is at its lowest, or in forests, woods or jungles, which tend to be darker environments, then 8x binoculars will work best.

If you are out during the day when the sun is higher and there is more light, or in open spaces with good visibility, then 10x binoculars will suit your needs. In waterside environments, like the coast or at a lake, where there is a lot of light reflected, 10x is a good choice. Likewise for hilly areas, with long-range, open views.

Quick summary: best bird watching magnification

We recommend magnification of:

8x to 10x for woods and forests
8x to 12x for lakes, marshes and tidelands.

Though we have focused on the more popular bird-watching sizes of 8x and 10x, there are of course alternative magnifications.

Here is a more detailed overview of the suggested magnification for the type of bird watching that you tend to do.

What are 7x binoculars good for? 

What are 7.5x (and lower) binoculars good for?

What are 8x binoculars good for?

What are 10x binoculars good for?

What are 12x binoculars good for? What are 15x binoculars good for?

Final thoughts on choosing 8x vs 10x binoculars for bird watching: which is better for you?

Overall, 8x is good for bird watching at a short to mid-range distance. The image, though smaller, will be brighter, especially in low-light conditions. The wider field of view will make it easier to find and track birds.

It can help to get an overview of the specific features available on different models, and what you can expect to pay for each. To compare these example, feel free to check out The best 8×42 binoculars for bird watching

A 10x binocular is most effective for long distance birding, with the ability to pick up greater detail from further away. With their 50 mm objective lenses, 10×50 binoculars are a great choice to see birds over longer distances. In this article, we’ve gathered the information on Eight of the best 10×50 birding binoculars.

The compromise comes in the narrower field of view, which can make it trickier to follow birds in flight. The increase in magnification can also convert to a more prominent shakiness in the image.

But there are some great choices for 10×42 binoculars that strike a sound compromise between more magnification and a sufficient field of view. To look at the exact figures for appropriate models, this round-up puts our Top five 10×42 binoculars for bird watching side by side.

If you’re looking for a compromise between 8x and 10x, there are binoculars on the market with a power of 8.5x or 9x.

So many birds, so many binoculars! Whichever you choose, happy birding…