If you are seeking the best choice of compact spotting scope for your bird-watching requirements, it is likely that you anticipate that a light, smaller sized scope will be more comfortable and practical.
These top picks will meet those needs:
Quick comparison: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope
A compact, high-quality gem for comfortable use when you want to travel light.
Best overall lightweight spotting scope
Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50
A classy travel option, this compact Nikon is light and versatile, with an eyepiece that can be swapped for different zoom ranges for a wide angle.
Best lightweight compact straight scope
Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter Spotting Scope
A top-class piece of kit with a great performance to size/weight ratio.
Best compact scope if money is no object
Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope
Top choice for the size conscious! Fitting in the palm of your hand, this option is suitable for hand holding.
Best value lightweight travel scope
Main criteria: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
The best lightweight compact spotting scopes will be easier to pack and carry around with ease of movement, as well as adding to your enjoyment of being immersed in the natural environment.
To remain in top condition and maintain good image quality, a compact lightweight spotting scope for birding also needs to be tough enough to withstand being transported more in more rugged conditions.
In choosing the best compact spotting scope for these purposes, we are assessing them against our main criteria of:
- Image quality
- Portability – size and weight
- Durability – weatherproof and shockproof
To narrow down the possibilities, we discuss each of these criteria in much more detail in this article. If you haven’t read this yet, it is probably best to read it before continuing with this one: Top tips on choosing the best compact spotting scope for birding
There are manufacturers creating very high-quality optical instruments that meet these targets and deliver a sharp, bright image. Let’s take a look at how the best ones fulfil the requirements.
Reviews: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
In the next section we cover all the main features of these compact lightweight spotting scopes, evaluating how they measure up against each other.
Best lightweight compact angled spotting scope for birding
Main Features of the Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope
The Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!
- Dual focus with fine and coarse controls
- Dielectric coated Porro prism system
- Fully water- and fogproof
- Magnesium body
- Tripod mount included
Specifications
Magnification 11 to 33x
Objective lens 50 mm
Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom)11x: 191 ft; 33x: 96 ft
Close focus distance6.6 ft
Eye relief 16-19 mm
Weight 1.6 pounds
Pros
- Great minimum close focus distance for close encounters
- Lightweight due to its magnesium frame
- Fine tuning possible with the dual focus system
- Rubber armoring is easy to grip and feels durable
Cons
- Eyepiece is attached, so cannot be switched for a different zoom range
- No sunshade incorporated
Vortex Optics Razor HD 11-33×50 spotting scope Overview
Available either in an angled or a straight format, this scope is very light. You can pack it into a small space.
Portability and practicality
The angled scope is a gem for comfortable use. It is easy to mount low and stable on a tripod.
But even better, this scope is possible to hand hold. What a great option to be able to leave the tripod behind and travel really, really light.
Image quality
This scope has an eyepiece that is permanently attached, meaning that you cannot swap this zoom for another one. That is the downside.
(Minor point: the eyepiece cap is flimsy to fix on and could be improved to stay in place better.)
The upside is that the zoom range that you do have matches the expectation that we would have for this high-end optic from Vortex. The zoom’s range runs from 11x up to 33x, using the magnification adjustment ring.
There’s a very slight graininess at the edges when at maximum power.
Even at the upper end of this range, there is very little loss of resolution.
Otherwise, the image is crystal clear across its whole width. The dual focus knob allows you to fine-tune the focus.
First adjust the focus quickly at a macro level after initially finding the bird, then use the micro dial to get the crispest possible image. It’s also easier on the eye to see the sharpest possible view.
The objective lens is 50mm wide. The glass used has every benefit that we would include on the wish list – APO lens, ED glass, dielectric phase coatings…
All this adds up to excellent clarity. The scope’s performance in low light is due to these anti-reflective components and coatings. You’ll like the brightness and resolution of color.
The Vortex Razor performs especially well in open terrain. But the near focus range is also great at six and a half feet if you’re anticipating close encounters.
Durability – weatherproof and shockproof
The Vortex Razor delivers on durability, with rubber armoring and easy grippability. As expected, the scope is fully waterproof and fogproof, being Argon purged and O-ring sealed.
The feature of the sunshade that Vortex includes on the larger scope is not on this model. It saves weight but it leaves the objective lens a little exposed.
To compensate for this, the lenses are coated with ArmorTek protection which guards against scratches.
Best straight spotting scope for birding if money is no object
Main Features of the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope
The Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!
- Rubber armoring
- Fully multi-coated glass
- Argon-purged for water- and fog-proofing
- Achromatic lenses for better color and less image distortion
Specifications
Magnification 18 to 45x
Objective lens 65 mm
Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom)18x: 120 ft; 45x: 69 ft
Close focus distance32.8 ft
Eye relief 19 mm
Weight 2.6 pounds
Pros
- Fantastic brightness even with a comparatively small objective lens diameter
- Performance is equal to a full size scope – without the additional weight and bulk
- Topnotch components and full multi coatings increase brightness and sharpness
Cons
- For best results, a tripod is still recommended, despite the scope’s small size
Zeiss Dialyt 18-45×65 Field Spotter spotting scope Overview
You’ll notice that the objective size for the Zeiss is of a lesser diameter than for some of our other picks for straight scopes. Really with an optic of this quality, you are losing nothing in terms of the image quality.
It compares extremely well with the spotting scopes of a larger size, despite their additional light-gathering width of glass.
Portability and practicality
Technically the Dialyt is not a compact spotting scope, but it measures around 15.5 inches in length. The weight is 42 ounces – much less than full size spotting scopes.
The benefit of the smaller dimensions of this straight spotting scope are clear when it comes to traveling to and from your bird watching destination.
Its compact solid shape makes it easy to pack and very light.
Impressive sharpness at all magnifications
Eye relief is 19mm, so plenty of room for eyeglasses wearers, along with the rubber eyecup.
Where the Zeiss makes up for the lack of objective lens width is in its components and full multi coatings.
These eradicate fringing and chromatic aberration, all the way up the zoom range. The image remains sharp even at the highest magnification.
Sleek, well-sealed scope
It really is tiny compared to a normal sized spotting scope, but still manages a 45x zoom. The zoom is at the rear of the scope, near the ocular lens, while the focus ring is right at the front, just next to the objective lens.
The body of the Dialyt is noticeably different to the usual design of straight spotting scopes.
It’s sleeker, fully waterproof, nitrogen purged and sealed. It appears almost like some kind of retro flashlight. In any case, it’s very durable, with a rugged non-slip body.
This is of course a pricey piece of kit. In our opinion, it is worth it, with a great performance to size/weight ratio. Hence the inclusion here.
Best lightweight compact straight spotting scope for birding
Main Features of the Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope
The Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!
- ED (extra-low dispersion) objective lens for chromatic aberration
- Waterproof (up to 3.3 ft for 5 minutes), fog-proof, purged with nitrogen gas
- Compatible with a choice of other eyepieces, include wide view lens
- Multi-layer coated lenses
Specifications
Magnification 13 to 30x
Objective lens 50 mm
Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom)13x: 157 ft
Close focus distance26.6 ft
Eye relief 13 mm
Weight 1 pound (without eyepiece, which can be changed)
Pros
- Interchangeable eyepiece, so adapts to different requirements
- Lightweight, with easily packable dimensions
- Can handhold the scope (without tripod) if weight-saving is a priority
- Top image quality and color from fully multi-coated optics
- Single focus knob might be simpler for some
Cons
- Low light causes more challenge at higher powers
- Single focus knob might lack precision for some
Nikon 13-30x50mm FieldScope ED 50 spotting scope Overview
Portability and practicality
The eyepiece is interchangeable. This will allow you to switch the 13-30x zoom range if you wish. Really, though, the range that is offered is a great option for general birding and travel use.
It’s a good, functional magnification in a small size, which is what you really want from a scope that is going to go long distances with you.
At only 11 inches long, this straight scope’s shortness makes it eminently packable. Its weight matches this convenience, at around 20 ounces.
Its light weight makes it easy to incorporate into your hand luggage when flying. All in all, it’s a top traveler.
A real benefit is that you can handhold it. This negates any need for a tripod and therefore further reduces the weight of your pack.
The further up in power, the more the risk of image shake. So to retain that crisp image, keep the magnification under 15x.
Or for even better results, mount it onto a tripod and enjoy!
Image quality
The optics are fully multi-coated. These, in addition to the ED glass (extra-low dispersion), are specifically intended in order to allow as much light as possible to be directed to the eye while maintaining color accuracy.
This is able to generate an impressive image. This is true right at the top end of the zoom range too.
The time when you lose a bit of quality is at low light, due to the comparatively small objective lens. Switching down to around 20x or 25x zoom, though, should ensure the image quality remains as expected.
There is a single focus knob, which makes it simpler to use. Though you do miss out on the fine-tuning that is possible with the dual-focus knob of the Vortex Razor.
At around 13mm, eye relief is rather short. Disappointingly, this spotting scope might not be the best choice for people who wear spectacles or sunglasses while they are viewing. It might be possible to get away with this at the lower end of magnification.
And remember, the big bonus of the eyepiece on this scope, in comparison to the Vortex Razor. It is interchangeable, giving you the option to upgrade to another eyepiece with longer eye relief.
Durability – weatherproof and shockproof
As we would expect from Nikon, this compact spotting scope is fully purged and sealed, making it fogproof and waterproof.
The build feels solid and sturdy, easy to grip and manipulate. Whereas the Vortex Razor ditched the sunshade, Nikon has retained it.
The sunshade, as well as being functional in bright conditions, also adds that extra bit of protection to the objective lens.
Best value lightweight travel spotting scope (ultra small and light)
Main Features of the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope
The Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope offers impressive features. Here are a few of them, just to spark your interest!
- Fully Multi-Coated and Extra-Low Dispersion Glass
- Nitrogen-Filled Fogproof and waterproof
- Polycarbonate chassis
- Rubber Armoring
- Built-in Tripod Mount
Specifications
Magnification 9x to 27x
Objective lens 56 mm
Field of view at 1000 yards (depends on zoom)9x: 216 ft; 27x: 98 ft
Close focus distance9.8 ft
Eye relief 15 mm
Weight 1.3 pounds
Pros
- Highly portable
- Can be used hand-held or added onto a tripod or window mount
- Top quality glass components
- Sharpness all across the image
- Tough rubber armor
- Suitable for compatible magnification extenders
Cons
- Performance is better at the lower end of the zoom range
- Eye placement can make a difference to color accuracy
Celestron Hummingbird 9-27X56mm ED Micro Spotting Scope Overview
The angled eyepiece configuration is the only option for the Hummingbird. No straight scope to opt for. But when it comes to size, this one wins as the most compact scope.
Portability and practicality
The dimensions are highly portable. The Hummingbird at 56mm objective lens will fit into your purse or travel bag with room to spare – in fact it fits into the palm of your hand. It’s only around 8 inches long, weighing around 20 ounces.
Zoom reaches up to 27x – a large number for such a small package. Its close focus distance is 10 feet – around three meters. Eye relief is suitable for glasses wearers, at 15mm.
The Hummingbird can be used hand-held or added onto a tripod or window mount for more stable or extended viewing.
Image quality
Sharpness extends pretty much all the way across the image. Color fringing is almost completely eliminated by the extra-low dispersion glass in this spotting scope.
That’s a direct result of the top quality glass that Celestron uses. The lenses and optics are fully multi coated.
The focus is adjusted via a ring on the eyepiece. Magnification is via a helical focus ring on the main body of the scope.
If you get to the point where you want to boost the magnification, then Celestron is a good brand to stick with.
They make 1.25” mount magnification extenders – also known as astro or astronomy eyepieces. There is a range of these to mount onto the scope and increase the existing strength.
Durability – weatherproof and shockproof
The rubber armor feels like it will withstand the dual test of tough conditions and usage over time. It’s good to feel that your valuable optic is well protected.
The waterproofing precautions meant that this is nitrogen purged and sealed.
A case and eyepiece and objective lens cover are included in the package, along with cleaning accessories to take care of the scope and maintain it in top condition.
Find the best compact spotting scope for birding: next steps
Owning an optical device can be a long-term commitment so it’s important to feel confidence in the model that you are choosing and the company that produces it, in case you need repairs and after-sales care.
To this end, we include products from established manufacturers with long histories that will hopefully be around for many years to come.
While most of these scopes that we have reviewed can be handheld for extra portability, they will also perform better on a tripod.
If you’re wondering whether it is worth sacrificing a bit of lightness for extra image quality, by upsizing to a larger objective lens, one of these articles might help you decide.
Best angled spotting scope for birding
The best straight spotting scopes for birding
Are you clearer on whether one of these compact spotting scopes is for you? Is there anything else that we could add to help you work it out?
If it might help, please have another read of our informational article suggesting what to weigh up when choosing a compact spotting scope… Top tips on choosing the best compact spotting scope for birding
Contents
- 1 Quick comparison: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
- 2 Main criteria: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
- 3 Reviews: best lightweight compact spotting scopes for birding and travel
- 4 Best lightweight compact angled spotting scope for birding
- 5 Best straight spotting scope for birding if money is no object
- 6 Best lightweight compact straight spotting scope for birding
- 7 Best value lightweight travel spotting scope (ultra small and light)
- 8 Find the best compact spotting scope for birding: next steps