Unique among high-magnification binoculars because they incorporate Canon's remarkable Optical Image Stabilizer technology
Editorial Review:
A all-weather resistant pair of 15x50 binoculars with an image stabilizer
Amazon.com Product Description With its wide 50mm objective lenses and high magnification,these rugged, all-weather Canon Image Stabilizer binoculars are destined to set a new and higher benchmark for image brightness, clarity and ergonomic design.
Leave your tripod at home when you use the new Canon 15x50 binoculars. Canon has once again made its world-renowned optical image stabilizer more convenient to use on this all-weather binocular. With a push of a button, bumpy images are stabilized instantly for maximum viewing. Multicoated ultralow dispersion (UD) objective elements add contrast, clarity, and color fidelity. Housed in a rugged, water-resistant, and slip-free rubber body, these binoculars can be used in rain or shine, whether in a football stadium or on the high seas. Stargazing is also possible with these versatile binoculars. The 15x50 is greatly improved over the previous model, with a larger 50mm objective lens, more convenient operation of the optical image stabilizer, and optional antifog eyepieces. Two AA batteries power the device. Also included in the package are a case, neck strap, and eyepiece covers.
Image Stabilization and More With any high magnification binoculars, most users will experience frustrating image shake. Unless fixed to a tripod, image shake can render high magnification binoculars useless. Canon's IS technology is remarkably effective at eliminating this problem and is widely used by the television industry with Canon's professional broadcast quality video recording equipment. A special VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system sits between the objective lens group and the porro prism on each side of the binoculars. Within thousandths of a second of the binoculars being moved from their optical axis by vibrations, a detection system activates the IS mechanism. The VAP shape alters to refract or 'bend' the light path by precisely the right amount, thus fully compensating for the vibration. It is this essentially immediate response that effectively suppresses image shake.
Super Spectra Coating A number of optical factors affect the brightness of an image, including the amount of incidental light that is reflected by the lens. An uncoated lens will refelect away as much as 8% of the incidentail light, significantly dimming the image. Canon's Super Spectra Coating prevents that reflection.
What do the numbers mean? 15x50? 8x25? The two numbers used to describe any pair of binoculars are their magnification -- 8x, 12x, 15x and so on -- and the diameter of their objective lenses -- 25mm, 36mm, 50mm, and so on. The larger the first number is, the larger the object will appear to be in the objective lens. For instance, if you use a 10x lens and look at an object that is 100 yards away, it appears to be the same size as an object located just 10 yards away. The second number, the size of the objective lens, is important because the larger the objective lens, the more light it can admit for brighter, more detailed images, and the better suited they will be for lowlight situations.
A look inside
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Beautiful Optics, Excellent Performance I've used these binoculars for astronomy and bird watching for about 2 weeks. They are outstanding, even without using the image stabilization. It's remarkable to experience how jitter vanishes when the stabilization is engaged: the moons of Jupiter pop out, and central peaks within large lunar craters are easy to see. The most interesting effect of the image stabilization occurs in dynamic scenes, where bushes or trees may be moving in the wind (and perhaps a bird or other creature hidden there as... more info
Impressive These great binoculars arived just a few days after I ordered them.
I've been enjoying them ever since. The image stabilazation is awe inspiring. It cuts down on eye fatigue as well. They are a bit on the heavy side, but thats to be expected.
Listed as frequenty bought together are,
Canon E-58U 58mm Snap-On Accessory Lens Cap
Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter
I ordered both assuming they were a good idea as there are no lens caps for the large lenses. Neither Item fits.... more info
Birdwatching review -- a better alternative to a scope Most of the reviews I see for IS binoculars are by and for plane spotters and other non-birders, so I wanted to add the wildlife viewing perspective to the mix. I have owned 2 different pairs of the 12x Cannon IS Binoculars, one pair of the 15x Cannon IS binos and I have tested the 10x42 L series (high-end, geared towards birders). I will cross-post these comments for all three. For any of you birders out there trying to decide which is the right choice for you, here are my observations. First,... more info
Great for backyard astronomy I have recently purchased the Canon IS 15x50 binoculars for backyard astronomy. I wanted enough "power" to be able to see interesting things without needing to set up a telescope. I researched and read a lot before making the purchase. The binoculars are great! The stabilization makes it possible to get a clear, shake-free view. So far I have been enjoying Jupiter and its moons, double stars, star clusters, and even some Messier objects. As a treat, various meteors flash across, and satellites too faint to... more info
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With any high magnification binoculars, most users will experience frustrating image shake. Unless fixed to a tripod, image shake can render high magnification binoculars useless. Canon's IS technology is remarkably effective at eliminating this problem and is widely used by the television industry with Canon's professional broadcast quality video recording equipment. A special VAP (Vari-Angle Prism) corrective IS system sits between the objective lens group and the porro prism on each side of the binoculars. Within thousandths of a second of the binoculars being moved from their optical axis by vibrations, a detection system activates the IS mechanism. The VAP shape alters to refract or 'bend' the light path by precisely the right amount, thus fully compensating for the vibration. It is this essentially immediate response that effectively suppresses image shake.
