Wide Angle Binoculars

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What is the Angle of View?

To explain the angle of view it is easier to start with the field of view (FOV) of a pair of binoculars, which is a measurement that indicates the width of the view you see through the binoculars at a specified distance, it is most often represented in feet at 1,000 yards, but increasingly common is in meters at 1,000 meters.

The angle of view (AOV) is the angle expressed in degrees between the left and right extremes of the FOV and the center of the objective lenses of your binocular (sounds complicated, but take a look at the diagram below). So in the example represented in the diagram below, the field of view of theses binoculars is 315 feet at 1,000 yards and the angle is 6°

Field of View and Angle of Binoculars

Apparent field of view (AFOV)
Some binocular manufacturers list their field of view as the Apparent field of view, this is the value of the real field of view multiplied by the magnification of the binoculars (Apparent field of view = Magnification x Real field of view). This value is important because it is comparable even among binoculars of different magnifications.

On top of this there is something known as the Apparent field of view ISO 14132-1:2002 standard, that some manufacturers are adopting.

Advantages of a Wide View

When looking through an optical device, if it has a wide field of view, it can basically "fit" more into the image that you see when looking through them, this makes finding objects, especially moving ones that much easier. This is one of the main reasons why the best bird watching binoculars tend to have lower magnifications and higher FOV's especially if they are to be used for observing the smaller, fast and erratic birds that live in wooded areas.

Obviously if your main birding is done out in open areas, for example at sea or on coastlines, lakes and dams, then a higher magnification may be preferable over a wide field of view (take a look at my article on 10x42 Binoculars for Bird Watching).

The down sides to a wide FOV is that they tend to have reduced eye relief and to gain the wide angle it usually means reducing the binoculars magnification. So in general, the higher the magnification, the smaller your angle of view and so there is always a compromise between FOV and magnification and it is about getting the balance right to get your ideal setup depending on how you use your optics.

How Wide is Wide?

Ok, so now we know what the angle of view (AOV) is, the Apparent field of view (AFOV) and why in some areas and situations a binocular with a wide angle of view is preferable. But what should you be looking for and what binoculars are considered to be Wide Angle Binoculars? Well there isn't a magic number, but lets take a look at what most people consider to be some of the best wide field of view birding binoculars on the market to use as a reference point:

FOV of some Market Leading Birdwatching Binoculars

Model AOV AFOV FOV @1,000m FOV @1,000yds
Swarovski
The Swarovski EL range and in particular the 8x32 and 8.5x42 EL binoculars are regarded by many to be some of the finest birding binoculars you can get:
Swarovski EL 8x32 W B Traveler 64° 140m 420ft
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL 7.6° 64.6° 133m 399ft
Carl Zeiss
Of the Zeiss range, their most most highly regarded are the Victory FL binoculars:
Victory 8x32 T FL 64° 140m 420ft
Victory 7x42 T FL 8.6° 60.2° 150m 450ft
Victory 8x42 T FL 7.7° 61.6° 135m 405ft
Minox
Minox BL 8x44 HD 7.8° 62.4° 136m 409ft
Nikon
The top of the range series from Nikon are their EDG Binoculars:
Nikon 8x32 EDG 7.8° 62.4° 136m 409ft
Nikon 7x42 EDG 56° 140m 420ft
Nikon 8x42 EDG 7.7° 61.6° 135m 405ft

I'm not suggesting that to get a wide angle binocular great for bird watching, that you have to buy one of the top of the range binoculars listed above. What it does is to act as a reference point as almost every birder I know would be more than happy with any of those listed above. It also shows that some figures can be misleading and it is worth taking all of the measurements into account when deciding on the right pair for your needs.

Based of the binoculars above, I would say that to be considered as a wide angle binocular it would would have an:

  • Angle of View (Real field of view) of around 7.5° or more
  • FOV of around 132m @ 1,000m (396ft @ 1,000 yards)

Comparing binoculars can be difficult as not all manufacturers list all of the stats and so to make it easier I have created a Field of View Conversion Table, that should help.

Extra Wide Binoculars

Apart from the standard wide angle binoculars there are a few specialist ultra or extra wide binoculars, that have huge fields of view, one of the best know is made by Bushnell and is primarily designed to be used for sporting events or even as opera or theatre binoculars.

Bushnell Xtra-Wide 4x30 BinocularsBushnell Xtra-Wide 4x30 Binoculars

With these binoculars your will never have a problem with the field of view being too narrow as these fit in a massive 900ft at 1000 Yards, this is a field of view that is more than twice as wide as that of most wide angle binoculars meaning you can see ALL the action.

These auto-focus, compact binoculars come with a hip pack, and as well as the impressive 900-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, they feature BaK-4 prisms as well as fully multi-coated optics for high resolution and enhanced light transmission.

Price Range
Bushnell 4x30 Xtra-Wide binoculars are currently discounted on Amazon and available for under $50 in the US and under £100 in the UK:

Shop In the USABushnell 4x30 Binoculars on Amazon.com

Shop In the UKBushnell 4x30 Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk

 
 

The Best Wide Angle Binoculars (Standard)

Below are some of the best standard wide field of view binoculars that I have either reviewed or know about and I hope this helps you to make up your mind:

Wide Angle Binoculars

Model AOV AFOV FOV @1,000m FOV @1,000yds
Barr & Stroud Binoculars
A British company with loads of heritage, the Barr & Stroud story goes right back to 1891
Savannah 8x42 ED 8.2° 65.6° 143m 430ft
Celestron Binoculars
Probably best known for astronomy Celestron now also produce some excellent quality "standard" binoculars.
Celestron 8x42 Granite 8.1° 64.8° 142m 426ft
Eagle Optics Binoculars
A family owned and run American company located right to the heart of Wisconsin, the Eagle Optics story began over 20 years ago.
Ranger ED 8x42 64° 142m 425ft
Hawke Sport Optics Binoculars
Based in the UK, Hawke Sport Optics have now spead their wings and also have offices in the US, offering good value, quaily binoculars.
Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 8.1° 64.8° 142m 426ft
Hawke Sapphire ED 8x42 8.1° 64.8° 142m 426ft
Kowa Binoculars
Kowa Binoculars are some of the most respected amongst the birding community.
Kowa SV 8x32 7.8° 62.4° 136m 408ft
Kowa YF 8x30 7.5° 60° 132m 396ft
Leica Binoculars
Leica binoculars are some of the best and most highly respected in the world of optics.
Leica 8x42 Ultravid HD 7.4° 59.8° 130m 389ft
Leica 7x42 Ultravid HD 56° 140m 420ft
Levenhuk Binoculars
Levenhuk specialize in producing low cost binoculars that well outperform their price tag
Levenhuk Sherman PLUS 8x42 8.1° 64.8° 142m 426ft
Meopta Binoculars
A top quality brand originally from Czechoslovakia, Meopta is now a Czech-American company that produces some of the finest optics on the market.
MeoPro 6.5x32 Binoculars 8.25° 53.6° 144m 432ft
Minox Binoculars
A top quality brand from Germany, Minox binoculars are some of the finest birding and hunting binoculars available.
Minox BL 8x44 HD 7.8° 62.4° 136m 409ft
MINOX BL 8x33 BR 8.0° 64° 140m 421ft
Nikon
The top of the range series from Nikon are their EDG Binoculars:
Nikon 8x32 EDG 7.8° 62.4° 136m 409ft
Nikon 7x42 EDG 56° 140m 420ft
Nikon 8x42 EDG 7.7° 61.6° 135m 405ft
Nikon 7x35 Action Extreme 9.3° 59.3° 163m 489ft
Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme 8.2° 59.7° 143m 429ft
Swift Binoculars
Amongst serious birders, Swift Binoculars are very well known and their Audubon range have some of the best wide field of view binoculars available:
8.5x44 Audubon ED Binoculars 8.2° 69.7° 143m 430ft
8.5x44 Audubon Binoculars 8.2° 69.7° 143m 430ft
Swarovski
The Swarovski EL range and in particular the 8x32 and 8.5x42 EL binoculars are regarded by many to be some of the finest birding binoculars you can get:
Swarovski EL 8x32 64° 140m 420ft
Swarovski EL 8x32 W B Traveler 64° 140m 420ft
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL 7.6° 64.6° 133m 399ft
Vortex Binoculars
Vortex's main focus is on hunting, nature observation and birdwatching and as such they have many with a wide field of view.
Vortex Fury 6.5x32 8.5° 57.8° 148m 445ft
Vortex Diamondback 8x42 64° 140m 420ft
Zeiss
Of the Carl Zeiss range, their most most highly regarded are the Victory FL binoculars:
Victory 8x32 T FL 64° 140m 420ft
Victory 7x42 T FL 8.6° 60.2° 150m 450ft
Victory 8x42 T FL 7.7° 61.6° 135m 405ft
 
 

Reviews of Wide Field of View Binoculars

Below is a selection of the best wide field of view binoculars that I have reviewed and all have a field of view greater or equal to 393ft @ 1000 yards (angle of view >= 7.5°)

View >> All Wide FOV Binoculars reviewed on Best Binocular Reviews.

Compare Side-By-Side:

Compare the main features of all these Wide FOV binoculars below Side-By-Side

 

Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 Binoculars Review

Like most good 8x32 binoculars these are very versatile and well-suited for a wide range of activities and viewing purposes.

But added to that you get an exceptional optical performance, a beautiful ergonomic design, the best materials & robust build, are these the best mid-size binoculars ever made?

Price: (6/6) Expensive Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 9/10 95%
The VERY Best
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 10/10
Optical Stats: 10/10
Image Quality 10/10
Extras & Details: 10/10

 

Viking Osprey 8x42 Binoculars Review

Magnesium Chassis, Metal Components, Field Flattening Lenses, Extra Low Dispersion Glass, Phase Corrected, Dielectric Coated Prisms...

With most of the features and components that you would expect from a high-end binocular, these Vixen Osprey binoculars are priced at a level that places them amongst many of the top mid-level binoculars which is impressive.

Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 85%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 9/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

 

Hawke Endurance ED Marine 7x32 Binoculars Review

Mid-sized, mid-priced marine binoculars that break the mold using roof prisms, making them far more than just binoculars for boats & yachts.

With their 7x magnification, wide views & small size, I found them to also be a great close-range birding, wildlife, & general use bino ideal for adventures like canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping & more...

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 82%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

 

Fujinon HC 8x42 Binoculars Review

Fujinon HC 8x42 binocular is outstanding and dare I say it, beautiful pair of optics that certainly stands out from the crowd.

I especially like the very wide field of view, which when combined with the excellent quality optics and resulting superb image quality means that you are presented with a view that is just about as good as it gets in both good and low light conditions.

Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 83%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 9/10
Extras & Details: 7/10

 

Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x32 Binoculars Review

Excellent quality and bright image, combined with an extremely wide view and small, lightweight body, these 8x32 Opticron Explorer WA ED-R binoculars are an ideal option for a wide range of uses where you want something a bit smaller than an 8x42, but better low light performance than a full compact binocular.

Other highlights include ED glass lenses, dielectric coated, and phase-corrected BaK-4 roof prisms, fully multi-coated optics, and a tough waterproof chassis.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 82%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 9/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 7/10

 

Pentax VD 4x20 WP Binocular & Monoculars Review

A compact binocular that the Transformers would be proud of!

The Pentax VD 4x20 can be split in half and thus converted into two 4x monoculars, which in turn can be placed end-on-end, transforming it once again into a mini-sized, but powerful 16x Spotting Scope!

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 82%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 9/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 10/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

 

Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 Binoculars Review

Comfortable, easy to carry about and with a bright, good quality image, I love using these Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 binoculars, which I think this will also be the case for many people looking for an inexpensive, easy to use binocular as I feel they offer a good compromise between size, weight and image quality, and brightness.

Highlights include an excellent price to performance ratio, a wide field of view, steady 6x magnified image and a huge amount of eye-relief.

Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 72%
Excellent
Body Stats: 7/10
Optical Quality: 7/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

 

Fujinon Polaris 7x50 FMTRC-SX Binoculars Review

Designed to withstand the rigors of the professional marine and fishing industries, these 7x50 Fujinon Polaris binoculars also make excellent wide-field astronomy binoculars.

Highlights include a fully nitrogen purged and water proof all-metal chassis with a rubber coated exterior, a built-in compass and range-finding reticle, extremely wide field of view, field flattener lenses and Fujinon's EBC multi-coatings on every optical surface for a light transmission of more than 95%

Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 80%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 7/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 9/10
Extras & Details: 7/10

 

Levenhuk Monaco ED 8x32 Binoculars Review

Mid-sized binoculars with a mid-level price tag, but with many higher-end features make these Levenhuk binoculars great value for money.

Highlights include ED glass lens elements and very highly reflective dielectric coated prisms that are also phase corrected. The fully waterproof body has a metal focus wheel, metal diopter adjustment ring, metal eyepiece housings and, metal eyecups. All of these are not something that you typically see on a binocular costing less than $300

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 78%
Excellent
Body Stats: 7/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

 

Hawke Frontier ED X 8x32 Binoculars Review

Top-end, mid-sized 8x32 binoculars offering an incredible performance to price ratio, these Hawke Frontier ED X binoculars have many alpha level features such as Dielectric, phase corrected Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms, ED glass lens elements and a magnesium alloy chassis.

In terms of their optical specifications, this 8x32 binocular from Hawke Sport Optics features an incredibly wide FOV which will please birders and general wildlife enthusiasts alike...

Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
BBR Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 85%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 9/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

Compare Side-By-Side:

Compare the main features of these all Wide FOV binoculars Side-By-Side

View >> All Wide Field of View Binoculars that I have fully tested and reviewed here on Best Binocular Reviews.

 

Wide Angle 10x42 Binoculars

As we have discovered in this article, the width of view and magnification are related to each other and in order to have a really wide view you have to sacrifice power. So for your specific needs, you need to establish just how much detail you need to observe against how much of the whole picture you need or want to view at once.

There are situations where you need a higher power, but still a reasonably wide view, this is where 10x binoculars fit in. But even here it is still sensible to try and get as wide a FOV as possible within your chosen power.

This makes sure that your bins are really versatile, providing you with loads of detail, without making it too difficult to locate and lock onto fast, erratic birds or even scan for wildlife over wide areas.

For more, take a look at my article on Wide Field of View 10x42 Binoculars.

 
 

Handy Field of View Conversion Table

Not all binocular manufacturers list all of the specifications and so to make comparing binoculars easier, the table below can be used as a quick conversion aid:

ANGLE OF VIEW (AOV) APPROX FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)
DEGREES FEET/1,000 YARDS METRES/1,000M
5 265 88
6 320 107
7 370 123
8 420 140
9 480 160
10 530 177
11 580 193
12 640 214

Field of View Conversion Formulas
You can convert field of view from meters to feet or degrees to meters of feet using the equations below:

  1. "x" ft @ 1000 yds
  2. "y" m @ 1000 m
  3. "z" degrees

To convert 3) to 2):
y = tan(z)*1000 (result in meters)
example: for 6 degrees you get y = tan(6 deg)*1000 = 105 [m]
FOV = 105m @ 1000m

To convert 3) to 1) :
y = tan(z)*1000*3 (result in feet)
example: for 7 degrees you get y = tan(7 deg)*1000*3 = 368 [ft]
FOV = 368ft @ 1000yds

To convert 1) to 3):
z = arctan(x/3000)
example: for 262ft@1000yds you get z = arctan(262/3000) = 5 [deg]

To convert 2) to 3):
z = arctan( y/1000 )
example: for 140m@1000m you get z = arctan(140/1000) = 8 [deg]

To convert 2) to 1):
x = y*3

 
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