Binoculars come in different sizes and weights. Want to buy binoculars to get closer to nature? Then first consider the intended uses. Birdwatching, stargazing, or on the water? In addition, the magnification, the type of lens, and the type of binoculars also play a role.

8x42 and 10x42 are the two most common strengths in standard binoculars.

  • The first number stands for the magnification factor, which determines how close you can see an object. The greater this factor, the closer it brings the object. At a magnification factor of 10, an object standing 100 m away will appear to be at a distance of 10 metres.
  • The second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens. The larger the diameter, the more light will pass through the binoculars and the clearer your image will be. The best strength of binoculars therefore also depends on your preferences.

In principle, you can see light years away, just think of the stars you see through your telescope. But actually, with binoculars you cannot see further than with your eyes, it just looks bigger. The magnification factor (see above) determines the distance you can cover with your binoculars and therefore ‘how far’ you can see.

If you want to watch birds with your binoculars, stability plays a big role. Binoculars with 8-10 magnification and a 20-40 mm objective lens provide a stable and clear image. In addition, make sure you have a low close-up focus, so that you can focus on birds that are not too far away from you. For optimal viewing, choose a telescope or spotting scope (see below).

The main difference between a monocular and binoculars is the two-dimensional image. Binoculars have two optical systems side by side. Because you look through it with both eyes, you see a 3D image with depth. This is not the case with a monocular.


Compact monoculars are easier to carry on the road due to their smaller size and lower weight. Specialised birdwatching scopes or spotting scopes are monoculars with a higher magnification factor (20-60) and a larger objective lens diameter, e.g. 80 mm. This is why they are best placed on a tripod for a stable image.

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