Binoculars with Camera – The obvious choice?

I recently read an archived article written in the New York Times that was written way back in 2005 that said what is pretty obvious: “The appeal to bird-watchers is tremendous, not only can you prove your sightings, but you can also bring home photos or digital movies in search of second opinions or comparisons with your stack of field guides. And it’s not just bird-watching; these hybrid gadgets should also appeal to anyone who takes binoculars to sporting events, concerts, the opera and so on.”

What struck me is that it is so obvious, yet to this day (4 years after the article was written) there are still not any really serious binocular & camera combinations. What I mean by serious, is a digital camera binocular is one that has a camera that is as good as your stand alone camera and like wise that has a pair of binoculars that make you want to leave your pair of Carl Zeiss Binoculars at home.

Sure since 1995, there have been some improvements and you can now find Bushnell binocular cameras, Barska Digital Binoculars and Celestron Digital Camera Binoculars.

Vivitar camera binoculars are some of the most popular, but somehow they just look a little ‘cheap’ to me and even the top of the range Bushnell digital camera binoculars, the 5MP Sync Focus Digital Camera Binocular pictured above that will cost you around $250, looks like no match for my favourite Canon Camera and Steiner Binoculars.

It is also interesting to note that brands like Nikon, Canon and Olympus who all make some of the best individual cameras and binoculars in the world, do not offer a pair of binoculars with built in digital camera. Surely they would be the first to implement this as an obvious choice or perhaps they are worried that producing a sub quality hybrid would damage their brand?

I would love to know your thoughts on Binocular cameras, have you tried any? Do you think I should review a pair and if so which ones?

Cost & Where to Buy Digital Camera Binoculars