What power binocular will make birding most enjoyable for you? The first number describing a binocular, such as 8x32, refers to the model’s 8-power optics that will make an image appear eight times larger or eight times closer than if viewed with the naked eye. 

Some people prefer a 10x model over an 8x, but greater magnification can be an advantage if you spend a lot of time viewing distant flocks of shorebirds or far off birds of prey. There are trade-offs, though. For instance, a smaller field of view means that it may be harder to find an active warbler or flycatcher among treetop leaves.

Higher power magnifies image, but it also magnifies our body vibrations, including breathing, heartbeat and pulse. If your hands are a little unsteady, higher magnification will mean an even shakier image. This body motion makes it harder to see detail and identify birds. During tests, 8x optics actually provided better sharpness and detail than 10x models. 

Greater magnification also means a smaller field of view - smaller field of view can make it harder to find your quarry through the binoculars. The width and height of the area you see when you look through the binocular will be reduced appreciably. For example, the Swarovski El model 8x32 has a field of view of 423 feet at 1,000 yards, but the 10x32 model’s field of view is only 360 feet at the same distance – about a 15% reduction.

When possible, test these factors yourself. It’s also not extravagant to consider having one of each – an 8x and a 10x – so that you can choose the best power for the birding you have planned.