Image stabilized binoculars are great in theory. Who wouldn’t want a perfectly smooth view of a subject that is hundreds of yards away, an on-board gyro sensor ably compensating for any slight tremor in the observer’s hands? Or, want to get a steady view of wild beasts from the safety of our Land Rover on safari as it bumps along a dirt track? Again, a flat and level view will allow us to better identify distinguishing details from afar, making IS equipped binoculars a boon for wildlife watchers, sports fanatics, astronomy geeks and more.
While that’s all great on paper, in reality there are a few downsides to image stabilized binos. First off, because of the on-board electronics, they cost more than standard non-IS binoculars that offer a similar magnification and objective lens size. And because of the need to house both these electronics and the battery, or batteries plural, image stabilized binoculars are typically bulkier and weightier than their strictly analogue competitors. Also, it’s rare to find a completely weather or water proofed IS binocular, and when we do, we can expect an even higher asking price for the privilege - such as with the Canon 10x42L IS WP.
Following that broad summary of the positives and negatives, where does the image-stabilized Canon 12x36 IS III binocular we’re rating here fit in? Well, this is a mid range, mid priced model that comes supplied with a very useful 12x magnification and equally usable 36mm objective lens. That would be an attractive and practical proposition even without any shake suppression on board.
This is essentially because, as with any binocular, the larger the lens, the more light it lets in, and, theoretically, the brighter, clearer, and sharper the result, particularly when external light levels start to drop or if we’re gazing at the night skies. Yes, this device may be a little bulkier than comparable non-IS alternatives, but given its core specification, might the extra millimeters and higher price tag actually be worth it in the case of the Canon 12x36 IS III? Read on to find out…
