We are often asked this question. It’s often thought that Uscamel Optics higher magnification binoculars are better, but 8x magnification certainly has advantages. The considerations:

  • 10×42 binoculars have a slightly higher magnification than 8×42 binoculars. However, the differences are not that big. The disadvantage of higher magnification is that even small movements are amplified. A magnification of 8×42 will therefore look a little calmer. The picture above shows the difference. The left image shows the 8x magnification. The right image shows the 10x magnification.
  • The field of view of 8×42 binoculars is larger than that of 10×42 binoculars. You can tell this by the number of meters of breadth out of 1000 meters. A larger field of view makes it easier to keep an eye on moving objects.
  • 8×42 binoculars have a larger exit pupil than 10×42 binoculars. This makes it easier to get a good fitting image with these binoculars.
  • For the same model of binoculars, 8×42 binoculars have a brighter image than 10×42 binoculars. This is not necessarily the case with other models. See our statement on binoculars.
Uscamel 10×42 HD Compact Binoculars

It depends a bit on the situation, but in general we prefer the 8×42 to the 10×42. 8×42 binoculars are smoother to use and give a better overview. Also, the picture is a bit clearer. If vibration is not an issue and lighting conditions are favorable, a 10×42 is also an excellent choice.