12x36 Image Stabilization III Binoculars

Like many people interested in image stabilization binoculars, I did my due diligence. I investigated binoculars by Canon, Fujinon, Nikon, and multiple brands that were stratospherically price. The biggest concern of the biggest dilemma was deciding magnification and cost benefit to myself. I did fall in love with the 10 x 42 by Canon. Everyone was in love with the optics. Everyone felt the image stabilization was awesome. And, after reading multiple reviews from multiple sites, people who it owned the 12 x 36 Canon binoculars and the 10 x 42, were equally split among the benefits of each. Some people noted that having traded up to the 10 x 42, they wish they had maintained and kept the lighter weight ones which were more portable. Others clearly fell in love with the superior optics of the 10 x 42. From all my research, I could find no significant advantage of the Nikon or the Fujinon. Although the Fuji binoculars had much better image stabilization for the rough seas, there was no apparent benefit for simple general use such as outdoor birdwatching. The image stabilization in the Fujinon-was aimed for the rough seas and significant motion. Considering the weight, the Canon binoculars in the 10 x 42 size were both weighty and somewhat cumbersome. Additionally, the price was almost double that of the 12 x 36. I was looking for something that had a fairly high magnification and a decent field-of-view. I realize that the 10 x 42 does have a better field-of-view but I was certainly willing to live with the 12 x 36 Concerning the exit pupil and I relief, at 65 eyewear progressive lenses and have a slight astigmatism. I have no trouble with these glasses. I do fold the eye cups back in order to get a better field-of-view. However, even with the eye cups in their normal position, I can see through these binoculars easily. They focus without an issue and I have no trouble with the eye cups. The use of the stabilization button is intuitive and easy. The size is comfortable and the weight is excellent. Current pricing was approximately one half the price of the Canon 10 x 42. From my aspect, the choice of these binoculars was easy. I'm very pleased with my choice and do not regret it. If you're looking for lens covers for the end caps, I purchased these. A perfect fit Opticron Rubber Objective Lens Covers 50mm OG S Pair fits models with Outer Diameter 56~58mm

When I started looking for image stabilized binoculars I noticed many were expensive and also large and relatively heavy, making them cumbersome to use on a hike. Then I saw THESE binoculars. The Canon 12x36 IS III. Not only were they smaller than most and hundreds of dollars less expensive, but the reviews were EXCELLENT. I thought, was this too good to be true? I bought them to find out. Well, I can tell you that it's ALL true. The optics are sharp and the image stabilization is amazing. They feel good in your hands and I'm always amazed when I've focused in on a subject and push the button, how sudenly it's like the binoculars are on a tripod. The only negatives I can think of are that I wish the two caps for the eyepiece lenses were teathered to the binoculars as, knowing me, I'll probably lose one, and there are NO caps for the bigger objective lenses. Also, you DO have to hold down the button the entire time you're using the stabiliazation. It would have been nice to have them on a 30 second timer or something, but these are small netatives compared to the price and quality of these binoculars. If you're in the market for binoculars like these, unless you are made out of money or prefer the extra weight of other models, I can't think of why you wouldn't at least consider the Canon IS Stabilization III.

I should have bought these years ago, image stabilization is amazing!

These are amazing binoculars! Like many of you, I have been looking for a pair of binoculars with higher magnification than my 25 year old, still excellent, Celestron 7x35's, and considered a 10x50 or 10x42. But I wanted them suitable for occasional use by my wife, as well as me, and my hands are no longer as stable as they once were. That means that weight is an issue. And of course, with higher magnification, there's also the issue of image shake. Then I learned of these Canon 12x36 imaged stabilized binoculars. The reviews were good, so I took a chance. They check (almost) all of the boxes. The image is bright, with no distortion. If they are heavier than my old 7x35's, I can't tell the difference. And the Image Stabilization button works magic. Image bouncing vanishes when you push the button. I use these for terrestrial and astronomical viewing. Excellent, excellent. Just a couple of negative points: First, most importantly, the image stabilization works only while you hold down the IS button. The downside of Canon's approach is that you need to devote a finger to continuously press the IS button. If you're trying to press the IS button while looking through the binoculars, then you've effectively added to the physical strain of using the binoculars. This might well be a deal killer for my wife, and it's annoying to me. This is simply inexcusable. Canon no doubt does this to prolong the battery life, lest you forget and leave it on. But as an electronics engineer, I know that it would be cheap and easy for Canon to add a simple timer to the electronics so that the IS turns itself off after some preset time. As a work-around, you can duct tape a dime or a small washer over the IS button to hold it down. Just remember to remove it afterwards or you will run down the battery. For the price, these binoculars can't be beat. A couple of low cost additions by Canon would make these world beaters.

Bought my first pair of these in 2006 and they are still working fine. Could not pass up the deal to have a backup. Best overall binocs ever.

I have developed a hobby of watching the planes overhead and seeing if I can identify high flying planes. Just for fun and maybe to think "Ah, I wish I was on that flight." Easy to do now with FlightAware which makes it simple to see which planes are in the air, their destinations and then actually view them. The image stabilization is incredible. Many times I can see really high flying planes (with contrails) and be able to identify them on sight. Also, it's fun to examine the moon with the image stabilized and really for the first time see the details of the craters without the jittery images of regular binoculars. Finally, I have also enjoyed watching the birds in our backyard and being able to see their details with the image stabilized. All in all, a great purchase and worth the money.

You will be amazed at these binoculars

In 2006 I purchased a pair of Canon’s 10 X 30 IS binoculars and was reasonably pleased with them (although I sold them to an uncle around the year 2010). My only complaint with those binoculars was the periodically apparent, faint black edges in the field of view during daytime viewing. (I’m not sure if this was common with early production runs of Canon’s 10 x 30 IS binoculars, or just an idiosyncrasy with the pair that I owned). Beginning around 2011, I started eyeing Canon’s more powerful 12 X 36 Image Stabilization binoculars—especially with Canon’s release of their improved “IS III” version over the “IS II” in 2015. (I had long-ago ruled out Canon’s 15 X 50 IS All Weather and 18 X 50 IS All Weather binoculars primarily because of their uncomfortable eyepieces, bulky size, and over-the-top weight for extended viewing. Their higher prices didn’t help either). Since I did not have $729.00 “burning a hole” in my pocket (much less the $849.00 retail asked by some retailers), I had given this purchase much trepidation. Well, last week I finally decided to take the plunge, figuring that if they didn’t blow me away I could always return them. Well, let me tell you, these things are AWESOME!!! YEEHAW!!! They are SURPRISINGLY more powerful than Canon’s 10 x 30 IS binoculars. Given the stark difference, I would have guessed them to have a magnification closer to 15 X—and the field of view is a crystal-clear, perfect circle with absolutely no black edges or halo! One look through them and I know my uncle is going to be highly jealous. Although these binoculars would certainly be fantastic for bird watching, landscape surveying, and nature viewing in general, I primarily acquired these for viewing celestial objects since I don’t like bulky, expensive telescopes with single eyepieces, a tiny field of view, and no image stabilization. The real field of view is 5° for the 12 X 36 IS III, which is just a hair shy of the 6° real field of view for the 10 X 30 IS II—and so still covers a patch of sky large enough to see the entire Pleiades open star cluster which vies for your attention like diamonds scattered on black velvet. Curiously, the dimensions for the two binoculars are exactly the same for width and depth (5.0” and 2.8” respectively), although the 12 X 36 IS III stands exactly 1.0” taller (at 6.9” versus 5.9”). Exit pupil diameter and eye relief are also identical for both models (standing at 3mm and 14.5 mm respectively). In a final comparison, the 12 X 36 IS III does outweigh the 10 X 30 IS II by a smidgen, weighing in at 23.3 ounces versus 21.2 ounces. Interestingly, because the two binoculars have an identical width and depth—with a nearly identical weight—they feel almost indistinguishable in the hands. As far as the gooey problems with the rubber coating reported by some, the finish on my pair is flawless and feels great—and I don’t plan to allow them to get wet or leave them “baking” under the sun in a hot car all day to find out if any problem precipitates. I always like to read a product’s Owner’s Manual or included instruction booklet from front to back, and I noticed that Canon actually warns about this in their instruction booklet on page ENG-3: where they caution: “High temperatures can cause the binoculars to malfunction. Therefore, do not store them close to a heater or in a car under direct sunlight.” Amusingly, they also state on page ENG-11: “If such changes or modifications should be made, you could be required to stop operation of the equipmet [sic].” Apparently, somebody forgot to employ the “Spell Check” feature on their word editing program. In essence, as far as the finish is concerned, treat these binoculars like the piece of gold they are and you should not have any problem with it. In summary, Canon’s 12 X 36 IS III (and I will even venture to say their improved 10 X 30 IS II) binoculars are highly recommended—even for those who have been forever straddling the fence as I once was.