Image Stabilization Binoculars – Are They Really Worth Your Money?
Anyone who loves optics and have at least one pair of binoculars at some point will want to get a new pair and it’s very understandable.
Myself I have many different binoculars. Some of them I love and buy for my personal use while others for testing purposes for my website.
Recently image stabilization binoculars have become popular for their super fantastic feature to stabilize image when looking through binoculars.
Such binoculars have two mechanisms (Gyro sensors) that detect hand-held shaking and stabilize the image when you hold binoculars in your hands.
Microcomputers calculate signals from gyro sensors and IS lens group moves to help correct hand-held shaking.
Such binoculars work from two batteries. Some binoculars have like standard binoculars central focus wheel and diopter but some have two diopters for each eye without central focus.
You press the IS powered button and switch it to ON and wait 1,2 second until the indicator turns green.
Once it turned green it means its stabilization mechanism is active and you can looking through the binoculars. The image will be stable with minor shakings.
The experience is really fantastic.
It doesn’t mean you will get a completely stabilized image but the difference from a standard binoculars is really HUGE.
It’s worth the money you pay for such a great pair of binoculars. You can watch two videos, one is from Canon and the other video is from a real user.
In an official Canon video it shows that image is completely steady. The real user shows that there will be some minor shakings when looking through it.
But it’s insignificant and your experience will not be spoiled. I just show you these two videos so you can see how it really works.
There are different image stabilization binoculars available on the market. Canon binoculars are the best ones.
I also found Fujinon image stabilization binocular manufactured by Japenese company FujiFilm.
Advantages of Image Stabilization Binoculars
- Advanced technology & high quality optics
- Great design
- Steady image
- Multipurpose binoculars (astronomy, sport events, bird watching, safaris etc.)
- Can be used without a tripod
- Bright & sharp image
Disadvantages of Image Stabilization Binoculars
- High price
- Heavier than standard binoculars
- Stabilization doesn’t work well when you are on a moving object like boats
I think image stabilization binoculars give you a much better experience when viewing objects than traditional binoculars.
Hand movements will not spoil your viewing experience.
Especially, such binoculars are highly recommended if you plan to buy high power binoculars with magnification 15x and above.
Such binoculars are heavy and can be used only with tripod. Image stabilization binoculars can be used without a tripod.
Image stabilization binoculars produce high quality, bright and sharp images when looking through them.
You don’t need to worry about the quality of the optics.
Canon has been in the business of manufacturing not only binoculars, but high quality cameras as well.
There is no doubt that they deliver high quality optics to end users.
Some Canon Image stabilization binoculars have two buttons Powered IS button and Normal IS button
By pressing Powered IS button you get more steady image when focusing on a still object.
By pressing Normal IS button you can view objects that are in motion.
Not all image stabilization binoculars are waterproof.
If you decide to buy one and invest a considerable amount of money it’s recommended to invest extra $100 or $200 and buy waterproof and fogproof binocular.
Here is the list of the most advanced high quality image stabilization binoculars:
Canon 8×25 Image Stabilization Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 8x
– Prism type: VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system
– 86% customer satisfaction
– Price: $313.81
Canon IS 10×30 Image Stabilization II Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 10x
– Prism type: Porro II prisms
– 85% customer satisfaction
– Price: $479
Canon Cameras US 10X32 is Image Stabilizing Binocular
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 10x
– Prism type: Porro II prisms
– Customer satisfaction: Yes
– Price: $649.99
Canon 10×42 L Image Stabilization Waterproof Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 10x
– Prism type: Porro II prism, UD Lens
– Customer satisfaction: 89%
– Price: $1.294
Canon 10×42 L is WP Image Stabilized Binocular + Cleaning Kit + 2 Year Extended Warranty
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 10x
– Prism type: Porro II prism, UD lens
– Customer satisfaction: 100%
– Price: $1,353.99
Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 12x
– Prism type: Porro prism, UD lens
– 85% customer satisfaction
– Price: $699.95
Canon Cameras US 14X32 is Image Stabilizing Binocular
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 14x
– Prism type: Porro II prisms, UD lens
– Customer satisfaction: Yes
– Price: $999.95
Canon 15 X 50 Image Stabilizing All Weather Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 15x
– Prism type: Porro II prism, UD lens
– Customer satisfaction: 83%
– Price: $1,064
Canon 18×50 Image Stabilization All-Weather Binoculars
– Wide, extra-bright field of view
– Magnification power: 18x
– Prism type: Porro prism, UD lens
– Customer satisfaction: 80%
– Price: $1,108.25
Fujinon 12×28 TS1228 Binoculars
– Relatively wide field of view (4.2 degrees)
– Magnification power: 12x
– Prism type: Roof prism, BAK-4
– Customer satisfaction: Yes
– Price: $649
Fujinon Techno Stabi 14×40 Image Stabilization Binocular
– Wide, extra-bright field of view (4 degrees)
– Fogproof; Waterproof
– Magnification power: 14x
– Prism type: Roof prism, BAK-4
– Customer satisfaction: 95%
– Price: $999.95
ZEISS Carl Optical 20×60 Image Stabilization Binocular
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power: 20x
– Prism type: Porro prism, High quality optics
– Customer satisfaction: 78%
– Price: $5,909
Image Stabilization Binoculars – Are They Really Worth Your Money?
My final opinion regarding Image Stabilization binoculars is as follows:
These binoculars are great manufactured based on the most advanced technology that delivers you a high quality, bright and sharp image and at the same time you get steady image when looking through binoculars.
The image is steady around 90%. As you can see in the videos above 100% steady image is unachievable for now.
But the difference from traditional binoculars is HUGE. But the main issue is that these binoculars are pricey.
If you plan to buy binocular with magnification up to 8x then I don’t think you need image stabilization binoculars.
If you plan to choose binoculars with magnification 10x and above then image stabilization binoculars are highly recommended if you have money to spend and want to spend it on a product that is worth your money.
Image stabilization binoculars are recommended because when magnification power increases binocular weight increases as well.
This means hand movements will spoil your viewing experience.
That’s why I recommend to buy image stabilization binoculars only if you choose binoculars with magnification 10x and above.
About the Author: Adam
We review and recommend quality binoculars so you don't waste your money on useless ones. 
I have several sets of binoculars and can relate to your fondness for them, so it was with interest that I decided to read through your article on the image stabilization models that are available, and I had the exact question you have in your title – are they worth the money?
Based on the review information you have provided, I would have to say yes they are worth every penny. The extra weight is also not an issue for me, and the other cons you mention are not that big of factors for me. So it seems that I need to get yet another set!
The Canon 8×25 Image Stabilization Binoculars seem to be the best fit for me, and the price, although not cheap, is worth it because I am sure of the quality. Canon has some excellent products. That this one is the lowest price of all the ones you have reviewed is of no matter.
Good article and review, I am looking forward to getting my hands on these!
Like you I love binoculars and have different optics from various brands. And yes, I agree. Image stabilization binoculars are not perfect but they do a great job for stabilizing an image. I believe they are worth every penny we spend. Canon 8×25 is a good choice. It’s lightweight and affordable compared to other pricey models. This is true. Canon’s products are of high quality.
Thanks for your post, I am only new to researching binoculars, but I am a newly licenced racehorse trainer, and I need something with high magnification to watch a fast moving horse at the other side of a racetrack, but hopefully somewhat affordable. For this purpose, which binoculars would you recommend?
For fast moving house you better choose image stabilization binoculars. 8×25 is the cheapest one. If this one ie expensive for you then choose traditional binoculars. I think magnification 8x is the ideal choice for you because it has a wide filed of view. Or I can also recommend extra wide field of view binoculars with magnification 4x. Field of view in such binoculars is 17 degrees.
This is really new technology to me. We run a couple of farms and we have always had binoculars but only basic ones which will enable us to see if there are any issues on the farm needing attention, IE a cow having difficulty calving. Now farmers are using drones .
I am wondering what you would use such high powered binoculars for. I imagine bird enthusiasts would find them a great help in identifying markings from a distance, also people watching horse races or a golf tournament would enjoy them.
However looking at the price they are designed for the people who are really serious about their hobby or point of interest. The image certainly appears clearer with the image stabilizer on.
Thank you for sharing this advanced technology in binocular design. It was a very enlightening read about a useful tool for a range of pursuits.
Yes, they are multipurpose binoculars and anyone will find what they need for their needs. It’s not about image being clearer with image stabilizer. It’s more about image being more steady.
Where have these been?? I never knew motion stabilizing binoculars existed! I’ve used regular, “hold your breath”, binoculars before and I remember how lame that is to keep still. These would come in handy during deer season 😉 Any of these companies offer warranties since the price is a little steep? Great article by the way!
Yes, of course, all these binoculars come with a warranty, especially Canon. Fujinon also offers warranty. This product is expensive manufactured by very well known brands and deliver high quality to end users.