If you’re looking to buy the best binoculars for wildlife photography, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is what type of wildlife you want to see. The second is what type of terrain you’ll be using them in. And the third is your budget.
Based on price and performance, we list seven of the best binoculars for wildlife. Our top choice is the Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars. They give you an amazing range of magnification in a relatively compact design. And Best of all, the price is amazing for its capabilities.
What Are the Best Binoculars for Wildlife?
The top three manufacturers of binoculars are all German or Austrian. And their optics are very expensive. Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski have unbeatable quality, durability, and warranties. If you want the very best, these three brands will please you.
But many other manufacturers like Nikon, Bushnell, Vortex, and (my favorite) Maven exist. They make excellent glass without the price tag of the big three.
Here is a quick look at our top choices! Jump to our buying guide at the end if you need more info about wildlife binoculars.
- 10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses
- HD Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for high resolution and color fidelity
- Dielectric, multi-layer prism coatings for bright images
- Rubber-armored chassis and ArmorTek coating
- Argon purged and O-ring sealed for waterproof, fogproof performance
- Winner of Outdoor Life's Best Buy award (2016) and Grays Best award (2017)
- 10 ED glass elements for true color transmission and amazing brightness
- Anodized aluminum adjustments for years of durability
- Superior low-light performance and tack-sharp edge-to-edge clarity
- Unconditional life-time warranty
- Field-flattener lens system for wide field of view
- ED glass for clear, sharp view
- Locking diopter control for personal settings
- Exceptional handling
- Rugged and durable design
- Prime ED glass for high-resolution image
- Ultra-Wide Band Coating for maximum light
- RainGuardHD water-repellent lens coating
- Lightweight, magnesium chassis
- Waterproof, fogproof, and includes accessories
- 8x magnification and 20mm objective lens for a clear, detailed view
- Roof prism for increased brightness and sharpness
- 15mm eye relief for comfortable usage
- Compact design for maximum portability
- Weighs 240 g / 0.54 lb for easy handling and carrying
- 8x magnification and 32mm effective objective lens diameter
- 4mm exit pupil diameter and 20mm eye relief
- Lifetime limited warranty for optics
- 10-year warranty for other parts
- Includes field bag, eyepiece cover, objective lens cover, and lift carrying strap
- Designed and manufactured with traditional German quality
- The largest field of view compared to other binoculars in its class
- Rotating and lockable eyecups for eyeglass or non-eyeglass wearers
- Lightweight and ergonomic design for ultimate comfort on location
- LotuTec water shedding outer coatings for all-weather use
7 Best Binoculars for Wildlife
Binoculars for wildlife photography are extremely useful. I can’t tell you how often I’ve stood atop a hill or mountain, removed my binoculars from my bag, and scanned the landscape for wildlife.
I’ve used them to scout hiking routes and rapids. Binoculars have helped me avoid bears in the backcountry and check on clients photographing a distance away. They are a must-have for every outdoor photographer.
1. Vortex Optics Viper HD Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Vortex Optics
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
10x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
42mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
5.1 ft / 1.6 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
22.1 x 17.8 x 9.7 cm / 8.7 x 7 x 3.8 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
725 g / 1.6 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
HD Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, rubber-armored chassis, waterproof, fogproof
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers who want high-end binoculars for a mid-range price
|
I love the Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 binoculars. They feature high-quality glass and lens coatings. So they have excellent resolution, accurate colors, and brightness. And it has the best minimum focus distance on our list at 5.1 ft (1.6 m).
With modern styling and sleek green rubberized housing, these binoculars look and feel like the best on the market. And they are darn near close to the best for outdoor use, even in wet and foggy conditions.
Vortex has binoculars ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to over $2000. So you can find a pair to suit your budget. And for a great mid-price option, check out the Viper HD series. You’ll be hard-pressed to find something better for the price.
2. Maven B3 ED Compact Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Maven
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
10x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
30mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
8.2 ft / 2.5 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
11.9 x 11.6 x 4 cm / 4.7 x 4.6 x 1.6 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
458 g / 1.01 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
10 high-quality ED glass elements, durable anodized aluminum adjustments, waterproof, unconditional lifetime warranty
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers who want great, cheap binoculars that easily fit in your bag
|
The award-winning Maven B3 ED 8xx30 compact binoculars are my constant companion. They are relatively small and light. And the binoculars with cameras fit nicely in my camera bag. At around $500, they are a reasonable price for the high quality.
Its quality glass ensures true colors, excellent brightness, sharpness, and low-light performance. Their binoculars are durable, waterproof, and have exceptional quality. And the B3 ED‘s anodized aluminum dials are less susceptible to corrosion.
US brand Maven is a relative newcomer to the mid-range and high-range market. Their quality easily competes with the big three European brands at a much lower cost. And you can’t lose with their lifetime offer of repair and replacement!
3. Nikon Monarch HG Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Nikon
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
10x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
42mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
6.5 ft / 2 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
23.8 x 15.9 x 10.7 cm / 9.3 x 6.2 x 4.2 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
680 g / 1.4 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
ED glass, field-flattener lens system, locking diopter, waterproof
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers looking for inexpensive mid-end to high-end binoculars
|
Nikon Monarch HG 10×42 binoculars are one of the best options for mid-range binoculars. Again, these feature ED glass for sharp, clear views. They are waterproof, tough, and relatively lightweight. So they’re ideal for wildlife photography outings.
They have a field-flattener lens system that provides a wide field of view. And the locking diopter means you can personalize settings.
Nikon binoculars, like their cameras and lenses, are high quality. You get a lot of bang for your buck with the Monarch HG!
4. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Bushnell
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
10x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
42mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
6.5 ft / 2 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
13.4 x 10.2 x 17.5 cm / 5.2 x 4 x 6.8 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
710 g / 1.5 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
ED glass, lens coatings, waterproof, fogproof
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers looking for great binoculars for a reasonable price
|
The Bushnell Legend 10×42 Ultra HDs for a good, low-price option. You get high resolution with Bushnell’s high-quality ED glass. And it has an Ultra-Wide Band Coating to let in lots of light, plus a water-repellent lens coating.
Bushnell is a legacy brand of optics. They’ve been around for many years and warrant a place here. While most of their binoculars fall into the mid and low price range, the quality, even in their entry-level gear, is worth noting.
Again, these are another pair of lightweight and durable binoculars. The Legend Ultra HDs are made for wildlife photographers to use in the wet outdoors.
5. Leica Ultravid BR Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Leica
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
8x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
20mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
5.9 ft / 1.8 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
11.2 x 9.4 x 3.8 cm / 4.4 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
240 g / 0.54 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Leica optics, portable design, waterproof
|
| Best For |
Best For
Compact binoculars for those who want as little weight as possible
|
The Leica 8×20 Ultravid BRs are a great set of binoculars. Its incredible glass, good ergonomics, and compact size make up for many of the shortcomings of compacts.
As a birder, picking out the details of a flitting bird in dense, dark woods is hard enough with bright binoculars. It can be nearly impossible with the poor light gathering of compacts. But the views you get with this pair are sharp, detailed, and bright.
I rarely recommend compact binoculars. But these lightweight Ultravid BR binoculars are an exception.
6. Swarovski EL Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
Swarovski
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
8x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
32mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
6.2 ft / 1.9 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
34.9 x 19.6 x 9.5 cm / 13.75 x 7.75 x 3.75 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
453 g / 1 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
High-end glass, ergonomic design, optics and parts warranties
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers who want High-end binoculars with incredible optical quality
|
In high-end binoculars, Swarovski EL 8×32 binoculars are extraordinary and my favorite. They are tough, elegant, and have unbeatable optical quality. And they have a nice, wide field of view of 150 m (492 ft).
Of course, you pay for that quality, but the EL 8x32s are priced less than the larger 10×32s. If you want and can afford the best, these will not let you down.
Swarovski does stand by their product with a limited, lifetime optical warranty and a 10-year warranty for parts.
7. Zeiss Conquest HD Binoculars
| Brand |
Brand
ZEISS
|
| Maximum Magnification |
Maximum Magnification
8x
|
| Lens Diameter |
Lens Diameter
42mm
|
| Shortest Focusing Distance |
Shortest Focusing Distance
6.6 ft / 2 m
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
11.9 x 11.9 x 16.5 cm / 4.6 x 4.6 x 6.4 inches
|
| Weight |
Weight
795 g / 1.7 lb
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Excellent optics, large field of view, lightweight, ergonomic, all-weather design, warranties
|
| Best For |
Best For
Professional photographers who want a reliable set of high-end binoculars
|
Lastly, we have the Zeiss Conquest 8×42 HD binoculars. It’s a good combination of magnification and light gathering. It’s durable, waterproof, and has excellent optics.
It has the biggest field of view compared to similar binoculars. It handles well and is portable. Plus, it comes with a 5-year “no-fault policy” and a limited lifetime warranty.
All Zeiss binoculars are excellent but pricey. If you want top-notch glass, you can’t go wrong with the Conquest HD binoculars.
Binoculars for Wildlife Buyers Guide (FAQs)
We answer a few common questions about wildlife binoculars to help you buy the right ones!
What Are the Best Binoculars?
That’s impossible to answer. There are many brands, sizes, and price ranges. What is right for me may not be right for you. But knowing how to choose the best binoculars is the most important thing.
We recommend the Vortex Optics Viper HD binoculars for their quality design and price. But each pair of binoculars on our list has its strong points, depending on your needs and budget.
What Do Binocular Numbers Mean?
Binoculars are sized by two numbers. You’ll see numbers like 10×42 or 8×30. The first number is the magnification. The second is the diameter of the lens.
The larger the second number, the more light your binoculars will collect. Think about this like you would the maximum aperture on your lens. More light is good. But it comes at the cost of size.
What Is the Best Magnification for Binoculars?
If you have a steady hand, 10x binoculars might be best. If you have a less steady hand, then consider 8x. Less than 8x is usually too little magnification, while more than 10x is often too difficult to hold still.
Too much magnification, and you may not be able to hold the binoculars steady enough for a good look. Too little, and it may not be enough to see anything.
What Lens Size Should You Choose?
42-diameter binoculars are the most you are likely to want or need. A 10×42 binocular is hefty but not overwhelming. You don’t need as wide a lens if you have less magnification, say 8x. So 8×30 binoculars are a great compact option.
Picking the best compact binoculars is challenging. Like a slow lens, you lose a lot of quality and light-gathering ability in compact ones. If you opt for compact, it’s worth spending the extra money to get them from a high-quality manufacturer.
Do I Have to Consider the Focusing Distance?
Yes, it’s best to consider focusing distance when selecting binoculars. A pair of binoculars that lets you focus on a very close subject will be much more useful than ones that do not.
Whenever I’m shopping for a new pair, I disregard binoculars that do not allow me to focus on my toes. A close focus will allow you to admire the details of insects and flowers from a comfortable standing height.
Conclusion: The Best Binoculars for Wildlife
If you take outdoor photography, a pair of binoculars should be a part of your regular photo kit. If you’ve never carried a pair, you’ll be surprised to see how often you use them. Want to scan for wildlife on the mountainside? Easy. Want to check out the route down the trail? Done.
Our top choice is the Vortex Optics Viper HD binoculars. This is a pair of quality binoculars you can hold onto for years and years. They have ED glass and are durable, waterproof, and fogproof. And they will help improve your wildlife photography.
