10x42 vs 10x50 Binoculars - Which is Best?
Summary
TLDRIn this informative video, Jason from Best Bunnak Reviews compares 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars, highlighting the physical and optical differences. He explains that while 10x50 binoculars are larger, heavier, and more expensive due to their bigger lenses, they capture more light for brighter views in low light conditions. The choice between the two depends on the user's specific needs and lighting situations. Jason emphasizes the importance of understanding one's requirements to make the right selection.
Takeaways
- đ **Understanding Binocular Configurations**: The 10x42 and 10x50 refer to the magnification (10x) and the diameter of the objective lenses in millimeters (42mm and 50mm).
- đ **Physical Differences**: 10x50 binoculars are generally larger and heavier than 10x42 models due to the bigger lenses and the extra material needed to house them.
- đĄ **Light Gathering Potential**: 10x50 binoculars can capture more light due to their larger objective lenses, potentially offering brighter and higher quality images.
- đ **Performance in Daylight**: In good daylight, the difference in performance between 10x42 and 10x50 may not be noticeable as both can capture sufficient light for a bright image.
- đČ **Low Light Advantage**: In low light conditions or when observing in dimly lit environments, 10x50 binoculars can provide a brighter and clearer view compared to 10x42 models.
- đ **Exit Pupil and Eye Comfort**: The larger exit pupil of 10x50 binoculars (5mm) can make them easier to use, as it accommodates larger pupils in low light and reduces the need for precise alignment of the eyes.
- đ° **Cost Considerations**: 10x50 binoculars tend to be more expensive than 10x42 models, partly due to the increased amount of glass and material, but also due to economies of scale favoring the more popular 10x42 configuration.
- đ **Market Popularity**: 10x42 binoculars are more popular and often share parts with other models like the 8x42, which contributes to their lower cost.
- đïž **Choosing the Right Binoculars**: The choice between 10x42 and 10x50 depends on specific needs and situations, such as the light conditions in which they will be used.
- đ **Portability and Weight**: For users who value portability and lighter weight, the 10x42 binoculars may be a better choice, especially for daytime use in good lighting conditions.
- đ **Price Difference**: The price difference between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars varies by brand and model but is typically between 5 to 20 percent more for the 10x50 variant.
Q & A
What are the main differences between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars?
-The main differences between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars are their physical characteristics and optical performance. 10x50 binoculars have larger 50mm objective lenses compared to the 42mm ones in 10x42 models, resulting in a slightly larger and heavier build. The larger lenses of 10x50 binoculars can capture more light, potentially offering brighter and higher quality views, especially in low light conditions.
Why are 10x50 binoculars generally larger than 10x42 binoculars?
-10x50 binoculars are larger because they accommodate the bigger 50mm objective lenses. The extra glass needed for the larger lenses and the additional material for the slightly larger body result in greater overall dimensions compared to the 10x42 models.
How does the weight of 10x50 binoculars compare to 10x42 binoculars?
-10x50 binoculars are heavier than 10x42 models due to the extra glass required for the larger lenses and the additional material needed for the larger body.
What impact does the larger lens surface area in 10x50 binoculars have on light capture?
-The larger lens surface area in 10x50 binoculars allows them to capture more light compared to 10x42 binoculars. This increased light capture potential can result in brighter and higher quality images, particularly in low light conditions.
How do optical coatings and build quality affect the performance of binoculars?
-Optical coatings and build quality play a crucial role in the performance of binoculars. They determine how much of the captured light passes through the optical system and gets transmitted to the user's eyes. Higher quality coatings and build can result in brighter and clearer images, regardless of the size of the lenses.
What is the significance of exit pupil size in binoculars?
-The exit pupil size, which is the shaft of light exiting the ocular lenses, is significant because it affects how much light enters the user's eyes. A larger exit pupil allows more light in, which can enhance the brightness and quality of the view, especially in low light conditions.
Why are 10x50 binoculars usually more expensive than 10x42 binoculars?
-10x50 binoculars are more expensive due to the increased amount of glass needed for the larger lenses and the economies of scale. The 10x42 configuration is more popular and may share parts with other popular models like the 8x42, allowing manufacturers to produce and order parts in larger quantities, thus reducing costs.
In what situations would 10x50 binoculars be a better choice than 10x42 binoculars?
-10x50 binoculars would be a better choice in low light situations such as during dawn, dusk, or in thickly forested areas. Their larger lenses and exit pupil allow for better light capture and a brighter, higher quality view in these conditions.
What are the advantages of a larger exit pupil in terms of ease of use for binoculars?
-A larger exit pupil makes it easier for users to align their eyes with the binoculars, reducing the need for precise alignment and preventing black rings from forming on the edges of the view. This enhances the overall ease of use and user experience.
What factors should one consider when choosing between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars?
-When choosing between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars, one should consider the lighting conditions in which they will be used, the importance of low light performance, the weight and size of the device, and their budget. 10x42 binoculars are suitable for daylight hours and good light conditions, are lighter and more compact, and are generally less expensive. On the other hand, 10x50 binoculars are better for low light situations and offer brighter views at the expense of being heavier, larger, and more expensive.
How does the popularity of the 10x42 configuration affect its cost compared to the 10x50 configuration?
-The popularity of the 10x42 configuration means that manufacturers can produce and order parts in larger quantities due to higher demand. This economy of scale allows them to lower the cost of production, which is reflected in the generally lower price of 10x42 binoculars compared to the less popular 10x50 models.
Outlines
đ Understanding the Differences: 10x42 vs 10x50 Binoculars
This paragraph introduces the topic of comparing 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars. The speaker, Jason, explains that the video will cover the main differences in both physical characteristics and optical performance, helping viewers decide which configuration suits their needs better. It highlights the importance of understanding binocular configurations and suggests watching a previous video for more information. The paragraph sets the stage for a detailed comparison, emphasizing that while 10x50 binoculars may offer advantages, they are not the best choice for everyone.
đ Size and Weight Comparison: 10x42 vs 10x50
This paragraph delves into the physical differences between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars. It explains that 10x50 binoculars, with their larger 50mm objective lenses, are generally larger and heavier than their 42mm counterparts. The speaker details how the size difference is manifested in the barrel diameters and lengths, noting that the difference is not very significant. The paragraph also discusses the impact of lens size on light capture and image brightness, emphasizing that while larger lenses can capture more light, the quality of the optical system and other factors play a crucial role in the final image quality. It also touches on the exit pupil size and how it affects the perception of brightness in different lighting conditions.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄBinoculars
đĄObjective Lenses
đĄMagnification
đĄOptical Performance
đĄPhysical Characteristics
đĄLow Light Performance
đĄExit Pupil
đĄPrice
đĄUser Requirements
đĄOptical Coatings
Highlights
The main differences between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars are discussed, focusing on physical characteristics and optical performance.
10x50 binoculars have slightly larger 50mm objective lenses compared to the 42mm lenses of 10x42 binoculars, which can be more suitable for some users and applications.
The larger 50mm objective lenses require a larger barrel size, making 10x50 binoculars slightly bigger than their 10x42 counterparts.
Despite the difference in lens size, the overall size difference between 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars is minimal.
10x50 binoculars are slightly heavier due to the additional glass and material required for the larger lenses.
The larger surface area of 10x50 binoculars allows them to capture more light, potentially providing brighter and higher quality views.
The quality of the optics and build, as well as the effectiveness of the glass optical coatings, play a crucial role in the overall performance of the binoculars, not just the size of the lenses.
In optimal light conditions, a high-quality 10x42 binocular can perform similarly to a 10x50, but the latter excels in low light situations.
The exit pupil size differs between the two configurations, with 10x42 producing a 4.2mm exit pupil and 10x50 producing a 5mm exit pupil, affecting low light performance and ease of use.
Larger exit pupils in 10x50 binoculars make them slightly easier to use, as it requires less precision to achieve a clear image without black rings on the edges.
10x50 binoculars are generally more expensive than 10x42 models due to economies of scale and less popular demand.
The choice between 10x42 and 10x50 should be based on specific needs and requirements, such as operating conditions and personal preferences.
For daylight hours and good light conditions, 10x42 binoculars may be preferable for their lighter weight, compactness, and lower cost.
In low light situations or thickly forested areas, the 10x50 binoculars offer better low light performance and would be the more suitable choice.
The video provides a comprehensive guide to help users decide which binocular configuration is right for their specific needs.
Transcripts
in this video i'm going to go over the
main differences that you can expect
from similar quality 10 by 42 binoculars
and 10 by 50 binoculars both in their
physical characteristics as well as
their optical performance
in this way you will be able to decide
which configuration is exactly right for
your specific needs and requirements and
we're going to start right now
[Music]
hello and welcome to best bunnak reviews
my name is jason
having just finished testing and
reviewing these excellent quality kite
links hd plus 10 by 50 binoculars they
reminded me how for some uses and indeed
therefore some users combining slightly
larger 50 millimeter objective lenses
with a 10x magnification makes far more
sense and indeed could be a better
choice than the default option of a
10x42 binocular yet they hardly ever
considered
however this choice won't be right for
everyone so in this video i'm going to
go through the main differences between
the two so that the end of it you'll be
able to choose which configuration is
exactly right for your specific
requirements
before we begin it is important that you
understand what it means when we refer
to a 10 by 42 or a 10 by 50
configuration if you are unsure please
first take a moment to watch my video on
what the numbers on a binocular mean
link up above or down in the description
below
it stands to reason that in order to
accommodate the larger objective lenses
the barrels on a 50 millimeter binocular
need to be larger than those on a 42
millimeter one this has a bearing on the
instrument's overall dimensions and thus
most 10 by 50 binoculars tend to be
greater in size than 10 by 42.
as you would expect 50 millimeter lenses
are eight millimeters larger in diameter
than 42 millimeter ones and thus the
ends of the barrels where the objective
lenses are set reflect this difference
by roughly the same amount
as you move down towards the ocular
lenses however they taper down in size
as most 10 by 50 binoculars would
incorporate the same eyepieces as that
used by the 42 millimeter versions
and thus the rear ends of these two
binoculars are roughly about the same
size
10 by 50 binoculars also tend to be a
little longer than the 42 millimeter
counterparts however the difference here
is usually fairly minimal and by that i
usually mean about less than 10
millimeters
therefore
as you can see the overall difference in
size between a 10 by 42 binocular and
that of a 10 by 51 is really not that
great
indeed i would go as far as to say that
unless you have them side by side most
users would probably not guess the
difference if you were to swap out their
binoculars without them knowing
glass is a reasonably heavy material and
thus once again the extra glass needed
to make the larger lenses and the extra
material needed for the slightly larger
body results in a 10 by 50 binocular
being a little heavier versus a 10 by 42
model using the same level of materials
just as the large windows in your house
are able to let in more light than the
small ones the greater surface area on
these 10 by 50 binoculars means they
have the potential to capture more light
than the smaller ones on these 10 by 42
binoculars
more light means more information and
therefore assuming everything else
remains equal these 10 by 50 binoculars
have the potential to produce brighter
higher quality views than these 10 by 42
binoculars
although here it is important to stress
that just having larger lenses and thus
the ability to capture more light does
not automatically result in brighter
better quality views
firstly as much of the captured light as
possible needs to pass through the
entire optical system and get
transmitted onto your eyes
and this is where the differing levels
of glass optical coatings and the build
quality do play a really important part
on top of this and even if the level of
optics used between these two sizes of
binoculars was identical there is a good
chance that during the day and in
reasonably good light conditions that
the view between these 10 by 42
binoculars and the 10 by 50 would look
to be the same
this is because a really good quality 10
by 42 binocular is easily capable of
capturing enough light and passing it
onto your eyes for you to perceive a
bright high quality image
however it is in situations where light
conditions are not optimal like just
before dawn or just after the sun is set
or even in a thickly forested area this
is where the extra capacity of the
larger lenses comes to the fore and this
is where you start to notice a
difference in brightness between these
two binoculars much of this difference
can be explained by the correlation
between the size of the shaft of light
exiting the ocular lenses known as the
exit pupil and the size of the pupils in
your eyes
10 by 42 binoculars produce 4.2
millimeter extra pupils roughly and 10
by 50 binoculars produce 5 millimeter
extra pupils
when there is plenty of light your
pupils constrict to a size smaller than
both the extra pupil on the 10 by 50 and
the 10 by 42 and thus they both supply
you with more than enough light for you
to perceive a bright view
however as the conditions get dimmer
your pupils begin to expand until in
very low light conditions the pupils in
some people's eyes it does vary
can reach seven millimeters in diameter
thus in these situations the amount of
light your eyes are receiving is
sub-optimal and therefore the 10 by 50
due to its larger exopuple will look to
produce a brighter better quality view
for more information on this please take
a look at my complete guide to the x of
pupil which i will link to in the
description below
it is also worth noting that as well as
an improvement in low light performance
a larger exit pupil also makes a
binocular slightly easier to use this is
because the largest shaft of light
exiting the ocular lenses is makes it
easier for you to line up your eyes with
it and therefore you don't have to be as
precise to achieve an image without any
black rings forming on the edges of the
view
10 by 50 binoculars are usually a little
more expensive than the 10 by 42
alternative in the same series from the
same manufacturer so why is this well
whilst it is true you need more glass
and a fraction more material to make a
10 by 50. the real reason they are more
expensive is down to the economies of
scale you see the 10 by 42 is a much
more popular configuration on top of
this it will share many of the parts
including the chassis
with that of the even more popular 8x42
binoculars therefore manufacturers can
afford to order in many more and make
many more of these parts than they do
with the less popular 10 by 50.
just how more expensive they are depends
on the brand what price range of
binoculars you are looking at and where
in the world you are shopping but in
general i have found that the price
difference tends to be about between 5
to 20 more for a 10 by fifty compared to
the equivalent ten by forty two
ten by forty two ten by fifty indeed
eight by twenty six eight by forty two
ten by twenty six you know which is best
you know for me there is no singular
right answer to this question it just
basically comes down to what's best for
your specific needs and requirements
therefore to sum up i would say that the
10 by 42 option is best for you if you
mostly operate during daylight hours in
reasonably good light conditions
then you will also gain the added
benefit of a slightly lighter more
compact device that costs a little less
however should you also operate in low
light situations be that in thick forest
areas or you know before sunrise or just
after sunset then the 10 by 50 with its
low light performance that almost
matches that of an 8 by 42 would be a
better option to go for
so there you have it i do hope this
video has cleared up a few things for
you and that you now know which version
to get for your specific needs
if you did like this video i'd
appreciate it very much if you could
just press the thumbs up and indeed if
you could subscribe to my channel this
is something that really helps me to
produce more and more content for you
guys so anyway thanks very much for
watching and i'll see you again next
time cheers for now
[Music]
you
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