Compact Binoculars for Birdwatching

Good Compact Birdwatching Binoculars - $200 - $500

The compact binoculars are usually a roof prism type binocular, straight barrelled binocular, light weight with smaller optics, more rugged and can easily fit in your pocket, but are higher priced. The Porro prism binocular, with a slight 45 degree bulge, heavier, with larger optics, usually wore around the neck, have better low light reception and priced less, compared to an equivalent roof prism binocular.

Zeiss has a very good binocular for under $500. The Zeiss Conquest and BT Victory. By in large, Leupold, Nikon, Opticron, Celestron, Eagle Optics, and Bushnell are good manufactures of reasonable bird watching binoculars. There are exceptions to the rule, so personally check them to be sure they work for you before you purchase.

Cornell University Ornithology Lab research and ratings of the top 5 binoculars in this price range are rated overall quality index from a low 6.0 to a high of 30.0. Prices are always subject to change without notice, and may vary by dealer.

Leupold Wind River Katmai - 6x32 - rated 27.7 - $370

Nikon Monarch - 8x42 rated 26.0 - $431

Opticron BGA Imagic - 8x42 rated 24.5 - $485

Leupold Wind River Pinnacle - 8x42 - rated 24.3 - $495

Celestron Noble - 8x42 rated 24.1 - $269