Binoculars for Scenery: Finding the Perfect Pair for Nature Enthusiasts

Binoculars can be used to get you up close and personal with animals, birds, bugs, boats, aeroplanes, trains, mountain ranges and essentially just about anything. Put simply, they can magnify anything in the world around you so that you can see it in more detail and feel immersed in your environment. One great activity that binoculars are often used for is simply to enjoy views of landscapes and stunning scenery, whether it be on the coast, in a city, or in the countryside. But what features make the best scenery binoculars and where do you start when it comes to choosing binoculars for scenery and enjoying landscapes? In this guide we’ll consider scenery binoculars for use on the move whilst travelling, for day to day observing and for static observing. The location that you plan on using the scenic binoculars in will govern whether you need lightweight and small binoculars, whether the optics need to be waterproof and fogproof, the level of durability the need to have, and whether you choose high power binoculars or low power binoculars.

If you’re looking for landscape binoculars for use whilst travelling the world then choosing a compact, lightweight design that has the widest field of view possible in those specifications is the best route to go down. If you want to use your new binoculars mainly for birdwatching with the odd bit of scenic viewing, then you can’t go wrong with a standard 8x42 binocular configuration. If performance at dusk is important to you but you don’t need the binoculars to be too lightweight as you’ll mainly be using them in a static location, then you may want to opt for a larger, 50mm lens to help the optics perform better in low light conditions. If you’re most keen to enjoy scenic views of the harbour from your deck to look closely at distant boats, then long range binoculars will be a great choice when paired with a tripod.

As you can see, binoculars for enjoying scenery come in all different shapes and sizes depending on where the scenery is located. With this in mind we’ll be suggesting compact, mid sized, full sized and giant binoculars as good options for this specific application. We’ll also suggest the best binoculars for the money based on low, medium and high budgets.

In this guide we’ll be reviewing the following binoculars. We believe that they are all great options for enjoying the beautiful scenery that New Zealand has to offer.

Compact Scenery Binoculars:

• Olympus 8x25 WP II Binoculars
• Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars

Mid Sized Scenery Binoculars:

• Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Binoculars
• Kowa SV-32 II 8x32 Binoculars
• Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 Binoculars

Full Sized Scenery Binoculars:

• Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars
• Kowa SV-42 II 10x42 Binoculars
• Vanguard Endeavour ED IV 10x42 Binoculars
• Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x42 Binoculars

Giant Scenery Binoculars:

• Vortex Crossfire HD 10x50 Binoculars
• Athlon Midas G2 12x50 UHD Binoculars
• Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 Binoculars
• Bushnell Engage 12x50 Roof Binoculars
• Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars
• Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Binoculars

The 15 Best Scenery Binoculars for 2023


Olympus 8x25 WP II Binoculars

The Olympus 8x25 binoculars are the most compact optics that we suggest in this product round up. Their lightweight design is idea for travel, and for their size, they have a pretty decent field of view. This means that when you look through them, you’ll see everything 8x closer than you would with your naked eye, but the amount of the landscape that you can see through them is also pretty impressive so you can get a real feel for the scenery around you.

Features:

• Foldable and compact
• Phase coating for better colour fidelity
• Rubber coated for convenient grip
• Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing
• Built-in dioptric correction adjusts to individual eyesight
• High index BaK-4 prisms for bright, crisp images
• Waterproof
• 108m field of view
• 15mm eye relief
• 1.5m close focus
• 260g

Pros:

• Lightweight optics
• Decent close focus for looking at close up items of interest
• Ideal for people looking for travel binoculars on a budget

Cons:

• The lenses are pretty small so they’ll be best used in the day time and may struggle more at dusk and dawn
• Could have a longer eye relief
• Entry level optics that aren’t high definition

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars 

Built with high definition glass, these compact binoculars from Vortex have lenses that are on the larger end of the range when it comes to compact binoculars. This allows them to let in that little bit extra light for when you most need it when observing at the beginning and end of the day. They are slightly on the heavier side for compact binoculars but make up for it with their awesome optics, long eye relief and wide field of view.

Features:

• HD optical system
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• 101m field of view
• 18mm eye relief
• 2.4m close focus
• 396g

Pros:

• Scratch resistant lens coatings
• Awesome Vortex warranty
• HD lenses for bright and clear images
• Good eye relief

Cons:

• Could be a little lighter

Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Binoculars

These premium, German made binoculars take bird, insect, and wildlife watching to a whole new level, allowing you to truely appreciate the vivid natural colours of the world around you. They’re also packed with all the features you need for long hikes in the mountains. They have an incredibly wide field of view so that you can see loads of the landscape at one time. Their short close focus makes them great for up close viewing too.

Features:

• Lightweight
• German made
• HD glass
• LotuTec® lens coating
• T* multi-layer coating
• Waterproof
• Durable design
• 140m field of view
• 16mm eye relief
• 1.5m close focus
• 629g

Pros:

• Very wide field of view
• High quality, German made optics

Cons:

• Only suitable for those who have a large budget and want the very best mid sized binoculars

Kowa SV-32 II 8x32 Binoculars

The Kowa SV II 8x32 Binoculars are compact and lightweight making them ideal for observing on the move. Ideal for bird and nature watching, sailing, safari and enjoying all the scenery on the way. An ultra wide field of view allows you to see lots of the landscape at once.

Features:

• Polycarbonate inner body for light but strong construction
• Waterproof and fogproof
• KR coating enhance the performance of the lens and make for easy cleaning
• Twist-up eye cups
• Right-eye dioptric correction
• Phase coating
• Fully multicoated optics
• Tripod adaptable 
• One-piece tethered ocular rain guard 
• 148m field of view
• 15.5mm eye relief
• 4m close focus
• 564g

Pros:

• Ultra wide field of view
• Decent optics with plenty of lens coatings for brightness and clarity

Cons:

• Could be lighter
• The eye relief wouldn’t be great for eye glass wearers

Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 Binoculars

These awesome mid sized binoculars from Vanguard have extra low dispersion glass and plenty of quality coatings on their lenses for bright and clear views. The wide field of view is great for enjoying views and the short close focus means you can easily go from enjoying views to looking at a butterfly less than two meters away from you.

Features:

• Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass
• Phase-corrected roof prisms
• Anti-reflection fully multicoated optics
• Open-bridge configuration
• Magnesium-alloy housing
• Centre focus wheel
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Twist-up Eyecups
• Rubberised armour
• Tripod mountable
• Right-eye locking diopter adjustment
• Flip-down tethered objective lens covers
• 126m field of view
• 17.5mm eye relief
• 1.8m close focus
• 540g

Pros:

• Wide field of view
• High definition glass
• Decent eye relief
• Not too heavy

Cons:

• Not the cheapest model on the market but still a good price

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars

Born from Vortex’s mid priced optics line, these full sized Diamondback binoculars are great for all sorts of outdoor pursuits including bird watching, hunting and general observations thanks to their standard magnification and 42mm lenses. They also offer a decent field of view which makes them great for enjoying the scenery whilst you’re outdoors.

Features:

• HD optical system
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Roof prism
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• 119m field of view
• 17mm eye relief
• 1.5m close focus
• 618g

Pros:

• Good weight for their size
• Decent eye relief
• Quite a wide field of view
• Vortex warranty
• Good price

Cons:

• Not Vortex’s top of the line but incredible for what you pay

Kowa SV-42 II 10x42 Binoculars

The Kowa SV II 10x42 Binoculars are fantastic for bird watching, animal watching, sailing and more. Indeed, these full sized binoculars are suitable for any sort of viewing where finer details need to be made out. Thanks to their decent field of view, they also make a great optic for taking in views of stunning NZ landscapes.

Features:

• Polycarbonate inner body for light but strong construction
• Waterproof and fogproof
• KR coating enhance the performance of the lens and make for easy cleaning
• Twist-up eye cups
• Right-eye dioptric correction allows fine-tuning for individual eyesight
• Phase coating reduces chromatic aberration and ensures colour fidelity
• Fully multicoated optics
• Tripod adaptable 
• 114m field of view
• 15.5mm eye relief
• 4m close focus
• 669g

Pros:

• Good quality and well respected Japanese brand
• Quite a wide field of view for their 10x magnification

Cons:

• Short eye relief
• Not great for close up viewing

Vanguard Endeavour ED IV 10x42 Binoculars

Packed with innovations including superb optics, great ergonomics and excellent materials and build quality, these binoculars are an ideal companion for nature lovers who enjoy spending time bird watching or simply looking at the beauty of nature outdoors. They have a great long eye relief which means that they’re ideal for enjoying views with your glasses on too.

Features:

• HOYA extra low-dispersion (ED) glass
• Phase-corrected SK-15 roof prism
• Advanced multiguard lens coating system
• Open-bridge/dual-hinge configuration
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Tripod mountable with optional adapter
• Click-stop twist-up eyecups
• 114m field of view
• 19mm eye relief
• 1.8m close focus
• 786g

Pros:

• Very good eye relief makes them a great optic for eye glass wearers
• Wide field of view paired with a 10x magnification
• ED glass for clear images

Cons:

• Could be a bit lighter

Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x42 Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x42 Binoculars take optical excellence to a whole new level, pushing resolution, brightness and field of view even further than before. Ideal for enjoying views outdoors in any environment, they offer a good field of view and bright clear images thanks to HD lenses.

Features:

• ED glass
• Phase coated
• Rubber armour
• Waterproof and fog proof
• Turn and slide eyecups
• 110m field of view
• 16.5mm eye relief
• 2.4m close focus
• 680g

Pros:

• Great quality from Nikons new line of ED optics
• Good weight for their size

Cons:

• Eye relief could be better
• Not the most affordable binoculars on the market

Vortex Crossfire HD 10x50 Binoculars

These fantastic high definition 50mm lens binoculars are a great option if you’re on a budget but still want HD glass from a brand that has the best warranty on the market. Great for use in lower light conditions where you want to see landscapes, animals, birds and more in detail from a distance.

Features:

• HD optical system
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Rubber armour
• Roof prism
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• 97.5m field of view
• 17mm eye relief
• 1.8m close focus
• 861g

Pros:

• Good eye relief
• Affordable option for those wanting a large 50mm lens on a budget
• Fantastic Vortex warranty

Cons:

• Field of view could be wider
• Slightly on the heaver side

Athlon Midas G2 12x50 UHD Binoculars

This fantastic 12x magnification binocular model from Athlons Midas range is very highly regarded by birders and hunters who want that little extra magnification in low light conditions. Built with ultra high definition glass, a huge range of special coatings are used on their lenses to make them perform well in low light. The 12x magnification brings you up close with anything of interest whether it be a far-off mountain range, rolling hills, a waterfall or animal.

Features:

• Ultra HD glass
• ESP dielectric multi layer prism coatings
• XPL lens protection coating
• Phase corrected prisms
• Full multi-coated optics
• Waterproof with argon purging
• Twist up eye cups
• Durable design
• 95m field of view
• 15mm eye relief
• 3.5m close focus
• 907g

Pros:

• Fantastic quality lenses
• Decent field of view for a 12x magnification

Cons:

• Eye relief could be better
• On the heavier side

Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 Binoculars

The Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 Binoculars take the very best binoculars that Vortex have to offer and make them even better, thanks to their Ultra High Definition optical design features, an improved optical prescription and unparalleled image resolution. Great for getting up close with the world around you whether it’s ocean scenery or rolling hills.

Features:

• Abbe-Koenig prism
• UHD optical system
• APO colour correction system
• XR™ Fully multi-coated lenses
• Plasma Tech coating
• Phase correction coating
• ArmorTek ® Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Rubber armour
• Adjustable eye cups
• Tapered eyecups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• 87m field of view
• 17mm eye relief
• 2m close focus
• 1023g

Pros:

• Good eye relief
• Amazing Vortex warranty
• Exceptional ultra high definition optics

Cons:

• On the heavier side
• The field of view could be a bit wider

Bushnell Engage 12x50 Roof Binoculars

Extra low dispersion glass used in these 12x Engage binoculars from Bushnell ensures bright, clear images with little light refraction, and large 50mm multicoated lenses make for a wide field of view and great light capturing ability.

Features:

• Extra low dispersion glass
• PC3 Phase Coating
• Dielectric Prism Coating
• EXO Barrier Anti-Water/Fog/Smudge/Debris lens coating
• Water proof and fog proof
• Fully multi coated lens
• Tripod adapt mount
• Locking diopter
• Twist up eye cups for easy viewing
• Rubber exterior for slip resistant grip
• Magnesium chassis
• 93m field of view
• 15mm eye relief
• 3m close focus
• 830g

Pros:

• Wide field of view for a 12x magnification
• Good low weight
• Fantastic quality optics

Cons:

• Eye relief could be better

Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars

The Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars are designed for up close mid to long range viewing. Packed with features you'd traditionally only expect from an ultra high end optic, Vortex have smashed the scale of price vs performance, delivering a rock-solid optic that optically punches high above its class. 

Features:

• Great for long range observation
• HD optical system
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Roof prism
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• 70m field of view
• 15.6mm eye relief
• 4.2m close focus
• 986g

Pros:

• Not too heavy for large binoculars
• Decent field of view
• Fantastic Vortex warranty

Cons:

• Eye relief could be better

Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Binoculars

The Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Binoculars take the very best binoculars that Vortex have to offer, make them extra powerful and then make them even better in terms of their optical quality! Thanks to their Ultra High Definition optical design they provide unparalleled image resolution, making them the very best giant telescope binoculars you can find! If you want to enjoy views of landscapes and other scenery from a static location with a tripod then these are a great option for you.

Features:

• Abbe-Koenig prism
• UHD optical system
• APO colour correction system
• XR™ Fully multi-coated lenses
• Plasma Tech coating
• Phase correction coating
• ArmorTek ® Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof and fogproof
• Rubber armour
• Adjustable eye cups
• Tapered eyecups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• Tripod adaptable
• True open hinge design reduces weight
• 59m field of view
• 18mm eye relief
• 3m close focus
• 1179g

Pros:

• Wide field of view for a high magnification binocular
• Exceptional warranty
• Good eye relief for eye glass wearers

Cons:

• Need to be used with a tripod to stop image shake and fatigue
• Definitely not budget binoculars!

How to Pick the Right Binoculars for Scenery

As discussed previously, unlike activities such as birdwatching, hunting, travelling or boating, buying binoculars for enjoying scenery and views doesn’t have a one size fits all list of key specifications that everyone should adhere to. Indeed, the features that you’ll need your binoculars to have will vary depending on where and when you plan to use them and also whether you plan to use them for another key activity. Let’s take a look at the key features you need to consider when buying optics for scenery.

Magnification

The magnification of the binoculars you choose to purchase for enjoying views and scenery will vary depending on what kind of views you want to observe and where you plan on using the optics. If you plan to use them on the move whilst travelling, then it’s likely you’ll opt for a compact model, so an 8x magnification will be great. An 8x or 10x magnification will also be a great option for binoculars for enjoying scenery, bird watching and hunting. If you’re looking for the best binoculars for long distance scenery viewing, then you’ll be better off with a higher magnification to bring you up closer to the distant views. When it comes to choosing scenery binoculars there really isn’t a one size fits all, and you need to take in to account where you plan on using them and what else you plan on using the optics for too. It’s important to remember that binoculars with a higher magnification will need to be used with a tripod to stabilise them.


Objective lens diameter

The objective lens diameter of a binocular is measured in mm and refers to the size of the front lenses of your binoculars. The job of these lenses is to gather light and to transfer that light through the binoculars to your eyes. On the way through it is magnified so that you can see the view closer up than your eyes would usually allow. The size of a binoculars objective lenses has two main affects on the performance of the binoculars. Firstly, in most cases, the larger the lens, the more light the binoculars let in. This means that binoculars with larger lenses usually allow more light in to them, thus producing brighter, clearer images. This means that binoculars with larger lenses often work better in lower light conditions such as dawn and dusk. On the flip side, binoculars with larger lenses also weigh more and are more cumbersome so may not be as easy to hold for long periods. Choosing binoculars for any activity comes down to making a balance between bright images and weight. When it comes to choosing binoculars for enjoying scenery, the most important factor for you to consider is where you plan on using the binoculars, at what time of day and how small and lightweight you need them to be. If you are travelling overseas and want to enjoy scenery in the countries you’re visiting, then it may be wise to buy compact or mid sized binoculars such as those with lenses somewhere between 25mm and 32mm. If you’re after high powered binoculars to enjoy views from your home and plan to mount them on a tripod for stabilisation, then you can afford for the binoculars to be much larger in size with lenses anywhere up to 60mm. In short, there’s no set lens size that suits enjoying views but you should always consider how large you want the binoculars to be whilst doing so. I you plan on using them for every day use then a 42mm lens is always great. 


Field of view

When enjoying views of landscapes and scenery, one of the key factors that will help you to really enjoy that view and immerse yourself in it, is to be able to see as much of that view as possible through your optics at one time. That is, you want the largest field of view possible to make the most of it. The field of view of a binocular is governed by two factors. Firstly, the magnification of a binocular. This means that the higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view will be as you’re more zoomed in. Secondly, the field of view of a binocular is also governed by its design and construction and quality. That means that binoculars with the same specifications in terms of magnification and objective lens (eg 8x42), might have slightly different fields of view. For binoculars for enjoying views we’d advise choosing a binocular that has as large field of view as possible. 


Close focus distance

The close focus distance of a binocular is generally measured in metres and refers to how close an object can be to you and you still be able to focus on it and see it in more detail. For example a binocular with a close focus distance of 1.8m would allow you to clearly see a bird that was located 1.8m away with your binoculars without it appearing blurry. If you were to then to try and observe that bird with a binocular with a longer close focus of 2.8m, the same bird would look blurry through those binoculars as they wouldn’t be able to focus on something so close. Realistically, because most scenery and landscape views are at much longer distances, whether or not a binocular has a short or long close focus distance is irrelevant for that activity, but if you also plan to use the same binoculars for activities in addition to looking at scenery, such as close up bird or bug watching, then you may want to try and find binoculars with a short close focus.

Lens coating

All optics, including binoculars have coatings of varying qualities applied to their lenses to ensure that the light that enters through their objective lenses actually makes it to your eyes and is’t reflected all over the place inside the binoculars before it gets there. The amount of lens coatings and the quality of those coatings varies significantly depending on the binoculars you choose. In general, more expensive optics have a better construction, better quality glass and more lens coatings that are of a better quality. We always advise opting for binoculars that have fully multicoated lenses, and where possible, have a phase coating. This will allow the binoculars to produce the brightest, crispest, most colour true images they can. 


Prism type

Binoculars come in two different configurations, either porro prisms or roof prisms. Porro prisms are a more traditional design of binoculars that are usually a little easier to make. They are however not as compact as the more modern, roof prism style of binoculars and their waterproof and fogproof performance is often not as good which affects durability. These days, most binoculars have a roof prism design as compactness is an important feature to most optics users. If you plan on carrying your binoculars for any distance then a roof prism is often the best way to go.


Where to Buy Binoculars for Scenery and Nature Enthusiasts 


In this guide and product round up we’ve covered a whole heap of different factors that will affect which binoculars you buy for viewing scenery. Unlike birdwatching binoculars, hunting binoculars or kids binoculars, there’s a wide range of different types of binoculars that will be suitable for the activity of enjoying views, and the ones you choose will depend on where the scenery is and how closely you want to view it. We’ve covered the most powerful binoculars for long distance scenery viewing with the stabilization of a tripod, the most compact models for performance on the move, and ones that can also be used for birdwatching and hunting. We have a binocular to suit almost all activities and budgets, all of which are sourced from the New Zealand authorised importer and covered by a manufactures warranty.

If you’re not keen on any of the models listed above then you can browse our whole range here. If you actually want to focus on another activity and just use the binoculars for occasional scenery viewing then you may want to read one of our guides about choosing birdwatching or hunting binoculars. In addition, if you plan on keeping the binoculars static on a tripod for enjoying views from your home then you could also opt for a spotting scope instead to get even more highly magnified views. If you're not sure if you need binoculars, a spotting scope or a telescope then you can find out more here. 

If you have any questions at all then we’d love to hear from you!