Swarovski 52mm NL Pure Binoculars – Details, Specs & My Thoughts

Swarovski Optik has officially introduced the highly anticipated larger NL Pure 52mm binoculars, further expanding their flagship NL Pure range. Offered in two magnifications, 10x52 and 14x52, these binoculars cater to outdoor enthusiasts and nature observers seeking improved low-light performance from an alpha-level range that already offers an almost unparalleled optical performance, all bound up in an extremely luxurious package.

Exceptional Clarity and Light Gathering:

Both models boast an interesting 52mm objective lens diameter, a significant increase from the existing 42mm option in the NL Pure range.

By maintaining the same level of glass and coatings, this larger lens size will almost certainly translate to superior light-gathering capabilities, that will be most important for low-light observations at dawn, dusk, or in dense forests.

The increased light intake and larger exit-pupils, with the samle level of optics are sure to result in brighter, higher-resolution images in challenging light conditions.

The Intriguing Choice of 52mm Lenses:

Swarovski’s decision to opt for the slightly larger 52mm lenses in their new NL Pure binoculars instead of the more common 50mm option is interesting:

The more cynical amongst us could argue that surely the extra 2mm can’t make much difference optically and that itis just a bit of “mine is bigger than yours” salesmanship?

Then another, more neutral way to look at it is that by already having 32mm and 42mm objective lenses in the NL series, it means 52mm is the more natural progression and not 50mm.

Personally I think likely stems from their desire to strike a balance between exceptional light-gathering ability and maintaining a comfortable, portable design.

Poential Advantages of 52mm Lenses:

• Light Gathering & Low-light Advantage: Larger objective lenses, like the 52mm, allow for bigger exit pupils. Compared to a 50mm lens, a 52mm lens translates to a slightly larger exit pupil (around 0.2mm for 10x binoculars). This seemingly small difference can make a difference to some users in low-light situations. When our pupils dilate in darkness, a larger exit pupil ensures more light reaches the eye, resulting in brighter and clearer images. So although the difference between 50mm and 52mm exit pupils is minor (with the same magnification), it technically could help in low-light scenarios, which will particularly please birders or nature observers who frequently use binoculars at dawn, dusk, or in dense forests.
• Potentially a sharper & better image quality: With larger lenses and therfore lens elements, there’s more available light to play with and more options for the optical designers which can potentially contribute to brighter, sharper image quality and minimize aberrations.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Quite often larger objectives at the same magnification results in a reduced Field Of View (FOV). This may seem counter intuitive, but is because the larger size ripples through the entire optical design, forcing the use of bigger prisms and a bigger field stop to get a wider FOV, all of which costs more and gets technically more difficulat to do – for more see The Field Stop: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Binocular Field of View
• Size and weight: While Swarovski has managed to keep the NL Pure 52mm binoculars relatively compact, they will inevitably be slightly larger and heavier than 50mm models. This can be a consideration for users prioritizing extreme portability.
• Cost: Larger, more complex lenses can translate to higher production costs, which may be reflected in the final price of the binoculars.

In conclusion, I feel Swarovski’s choice of 52mm is probably a win-win senerio for them with a premium alpha-level product like the NL Pure that almost has a cost no object to aproach to quality:

So while there are slight trade-offs in size and weight, the potential (even if minimal) gains in light-gathering ability and image quality will be important to the serious nature observers and professionals who are able or willing to pay to get the very best.

10x52 vs. 14x52: Tailored Magnification Options:

The 10x52 NL Pure binoculars provide a wider field of view, better for scanning landscapes or tracking fast-moving subjects like birds for example. They will also perform better in low light situations.

The 14x52 configuration offers the advantage of higher magnification, bringing distant objects closer for a more detailed observation

See my videos an articles in my BinoWars Series – in particular the 15x56 vs 18x56 Binoculars or 8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars to give you a better understaning of the concepts behind this.

50mm Swarovski NL Pure Binoculars: Table of the Main Specifications

Additional Features:

Most of the other main features are the same as that found with the other binoculars within the NL Pure Series: See Swarovski NL Pure Binoculars: Review of Main Features

• Field Flattener Lenses: Deliver edge-to-edge sharpness for a truly immersive viewing experience.
• Swarobright Coating: Enhances light transmission for exceptional color fidelity and brightness.
• Ergonomics: Having tested the 32mm and 42mm versions in the NL Pure series I can honestly say that their unique body shape adds to the experience of using a binocular, I am hopeful this feeling will still be maintained on the larger 52mm versions.

Cost & Where to Buy

According to their website, RRP prices for the Swarovski NL Pure 50 binoculars will be priced at $3,449.00 / £2,910.00 for the 10x50 model and $3,499.00 / £2,950.00 for the higher-powered 14x version.

When?

Swarovski NL Pure binoculars will be available from July 2024, but pre-orders are already availabe online as well as in-store from authorized Swarovski dealers:

Buy & Compare Prices for Swarovski NL Pure Binoculars

Related Content & Further Reading

Further Reading

• Swarovski NL Pure Binoculars: Review of Main Features
• Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 Binoculars Review
• About Swarovski Binoculars