What is a digital camera binoculars?
Just as their name sounds like, digital camera binoculars is binoculars with digital camera, it has built-in camera sensor and processing chipset.
What is the use of the camera binoculars?
It combines the functionality of both binoculars and digital camera, binoculars are commonly used for hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, birding, sports watching, etc, while with a camera in it, you can capture or record a video and review if you find something interesting from a distance. Usually it comes with night vision function so it can be used both at daytime and night.
How to choose a good digital camera binoculars?
Following are the metrics you can count on when choose a digital binoculars.
1. Night vision
Night vision function ranks top 1 of the metrics on the camera binoculars definitely. There are a lot of applicable scenarios that can happen at night, such as hunting, camping. If users bring it when they go, they will expect it to be used at night. Just imagine you’re sitting alone or only with few friends in the wild, the dark side of nature can always be exciting to explore.
Unlike the normal binoculars, the camera binoculars is more of an electronics product. We know that some binoculars use the principle of thermal imaging, according to the heat emitted by animals or people themselves, to see their thermal imaging, so that the general outline can be seen. But the camera binoculars use no-glow infrared illuminator to help view clear scenes in black and white. A good camera binoculars is able to see clearly in complete darkness. Especially many wild animals are active at night, that makes the night vision feature top significant for the camera binoculars.
850nm IR wavelength illuminator is a mainstream configuration in market.
2. Magnification
Magnification is another top important features for the camera binoculars. On the camera binocular, magnification is realized by the camera’s zoom function. There are 2 types of zoom-digital zoom and optical zoom, the latter is always considered better, but if the device have them both, that’s the best.
The most suitable binoculars magnification should be 6-10 times for handheld binoculars, in fact, this has been proved by massive practice. For example, the military binoculars are always 7 or 8 times magnification.
The ideal binoculars should magnify the target without damage and restore the details truly. Many people think that the magnification of the binoculars should be as large as possible. But for a handheld binoculars, if the magnification times is too large, a slight tremor of the hand will also be largely magnified, which will lead to things being hardly seen clear. Generally, device with more than 10 times magnification needs to be fixed on a tripod.
3. Image quality
Image quality feature comes to the camera basic functions. We can regard the camera binoculars as a camera equipped with telephoto lens. The camera’s performance is mainly determined by its main chipset and sensor which determines the image quality. There are many options in the market with camera resolutions of VGA, 720p, 1080p and 4k.
The higher the resolution of the camera owns, the clearer the captured picture and video will be. VGA resolution is kind of blurry when play on a laptop or PC, 4K resolution videos requires a big capacity TF card to store them and the device will be very expensive. So considering the budget and the clarity of photo and video, 720p and 1080p resolution devices are most recommended.
4. Display screen
90% of the camera binoculars in the market have a display screen. One big difference between normal binoculars and camera binoculars is that there is a screen on the camera binoculars, and you can see everything on the screen that the lens see, while with a normal binoculars you see direct through the objective lens. Just like the camera, besides the live view, you can also playback the photos and videos and do the camera settings.
i. Flip screen design VS inner screen design
Functions are the same. Inner screen is more compact and no need extra attention to protect it. Flip screen can be an exposed light source at night, which will alert the animals under observation. So inner screen is recommended.
ii. Size
Size can various from 1.5inch to 4.0inch, mostly bigger screen is preferred.
iii. High definition
A high definition screen can show more natural colors and more details, it surely will have a better experience. Such as IPS or TFT screen is advanced.
5. Memory storage
Some models such as Bushnell ImageView has only 8MB internal memory, it stores about 300 photos. But it’s better to choose a model that support inserting a TF card upto 32GB or 64GB. As the using scenario is usually outdoor, so users can record anything they like without worrying not enough space to store the files.
6. Light weight
Light weight can also be an important feature, because users often have a lot of gears to pack when planning an outdoor activity, as a niche tool, the camera binoculars should not take up much space and weight no matter users pack it in backpack or hang it on neck.
7. Pocket size
Just as mentioned above point, size should be relatively small, best is pocket size. Camera binoculars is a high precise digital device. If built well, it only required a pocket size frame. Normal binoculars is optical, size can be larger, this is another difference between them.
8. Easy operation
The operation should be user friendly. Most camera binoculars don’t need to connect to smart phone. So best is users don’t have to spend much time reading the instructive manual and get started. Power, mode, zoom in/out, shoot buttons are enough on the device. When using at night, users can still operate in a smooth way.
9. Power supply
Long lasting batteries should also be considered when choose a camera binoculars. The power supply can be AA batteries or built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery. AA batteries are easy to install and replace, rechargeable Li-ion battery better carry with a power bank, so both types are OK as long as they can support lasting for the whole trip.
10. Objective Lens Diameter
The diameter of objective lens isn’t key point on the camera binoculars, unlike the normal binoculars bigger-is-better, camera binoculars’ view breadth depends on the angle of the lens. Considering its portable size, the objective lens diameter among 20-30mm is enough.
Nevertheless, the fully multi coating(FMC) lens is suggested. It helps improve the image quality to be more vivid and natural.
11. Viewing distance range
Vendor will always mark the viewing distance range on their advertising materials. A survey of the camera binoculars in the market shows generally for daytime, viewing distance range can be 1000-1500m(3280-4290ft), for night, viewing distance range can be 200-300m(650-980ft). So users can choose a slightly better one among them.
12. Waterproof
Waterproof level is another factor to consider. Because sometimes weather is a little unpredictable and the camera binoculars should be able to adapt to different kinds of weather. IP54 level already includes waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, which copes most situations such as a light rain, a sandy weather.
13. Rugged armor design
For outdoor use, rugged armor design is popular. Military style looks solid and durable. Anti-slip design is also very practical.
14. Tripod attachment point
If a camera binoculars has a tripod attachment point, it will add its applicable scenarios. It could be used as a trail camera or surveillance camera, fixed it on a tripod and press power on to start recording and users can spare themselves for other things. It’s not necessary, practical though.
Final thoughts
To conclude, digital camera binoculars is a cross-border product and a very niche tool. After decades of development, camera technology have become very mature and the price is very affordable. The digital camera binoculars can be a very interesting gear when people go hunting or camping in the wild. People can observe wild animals, birds from a far distance through it. Just pay attention to the metrics above to avoid choosing a low quality product. However, if you are a serious photographer, you should buy a digital camera instead. Because camera binoculars is more digital than optical, it’s mainly for casual use and add fun to your trips.
