Obviously this is one of the disadvantages of buying a product on the web (there are also many advantages). Just remember you can always return an item if it does not match your expectations.

Back to Image Stabilization on Binoculars

The short answer is yes, image stabilisation does work and probably the best way I have of demonstrating this on-line is with this excellent video that compares the view using the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14×40 image stabilization binoculars with the feature turned off and then turned on:

How does Image Stabilization Work?

Image stabilization is achieved using an optical solution, electronic or even a combination of both to remove the shakiness of your hands. Cameras and camcorders have had this technology for years, which has now has finally been passed onto binoculars.

Canon calls their optical image stabiliser technology “Vari-Angle Prism.” The Vari-Angle Prism is composed of two pieces of flat glass joined by a flexible bellow made of a special film that can expand and contract as required. The space between the glass plates is filled with a liquid of a high refractive index. The liquid is silicon-based oil specially developed by Canon. One glass rotates for pitch movement and the other for the yaw movement. Therefore, expansion and contraction of the flexible bellows can vary the top angle. To detect the movement there are two sensors within the binocular that detect horizontal and vertical shaking respectively. >> Read more on Canons Image Stabilization Binoculars

What are the Best Image Stabilization Binoculars?

Of the binoculars that I have reviewed, Cannon are the best when it comes to image stabilization. I am a big fan of theirs as not only do they work very well, but the Canon Stabilized Binoculars Range is very comprehensive and you should be able to find a pair to suit most needs.

Related Posts: Image Stabilization

The main advantage is obviously the Image Stabilization (or image stabilisation depending on which side of the pond you live on) that allows you to use a larger magnification than you would with a normal pair of binoculars, without the need of a tripod to stop image judder.

The 10×30 and 12×36 models that I reviewed were superb and that has got me thinking, just how much magnification can you get before even image stabilization binoculars need a tripod?

15×50 Canon Image Stabilizer Binoculars
At 15x magnification, believe it or not these are not even the most powerful in the range (Canon also make a 18×50 IS binocular), but is still way more power than you could seriously use on a binocular without IS without the need for a tripod.

Interestingly they do come with a built-in tripod adapter and you could use them without the image stabilization feature. But it is the convenience of being able to take these wherever you go and to quickly raise them up to your eyes, press the magic button and get a fairly stable image that makes these binoculars so special. If you are very unsteady however, the resolution looks to become reduced slightly as the prisms try to correct for the motion and I did notice a very slight yellow tinge to the image as well as a faint yellow edge to dark objects.

Image Stabilization does have it’s drawbacks however, mainly you need batteries to make it work and the binoculars can be a little on the heavy side.

Magnification Is Not Everything
It is a mistake that many people new to binoculars make and I feel that it is important to point out that the greater the magnification does not mean the better the binoculars. Far from it, apart from image shake, there are other drawbacks to large magnifications, your field of view is often also reduced and this can often be a really important factor in being able to quickly locate what ever it is you are looking at, especially if it is a fast moving object:

The Canon 15×50 IS Binoculars have a field of view of 237ft at 1000 yards (you get about 310 – 340ft from most good 10x roof prism binoculars)

So I would not recommend them as your first choice birding binoculars, but they are ideal Binoculars for Astronomy and because of the IS feature that negates the need for a tripod can also be convenient enough to use anywhere and for many other purposes.

US Shoppers
Canon Image Stabilizer Binoculars on Amazon.com

UK Shoppers
Canon IS Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk

The demonstration is not using Cannon IS binoculars, but rather the excellent Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14×40 Image Stabilized Binoculars, but I think it give you an excellent idea of just how well image stabilization on a set of binoculars for use on a yacht, or safari vehicle can help.